Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Fleeting Success becomes Excesses
What this change means
The lake now drowns the trees as four lines move: what was a gentle, favorable season becomes a time of strain. The guidance comes from the two lines of 28 Excesses that stay still. The second says exceptional times call for exceptional measures, built on unusual acts that seem small but bring outsized results. The top line speaks of taking on extraordinary undertakings despite the drawbacks; you'll be exposed to danger and loss, but you'll know you did all you could.
This movement asks for courage beyond routine. The luck of the starting hexagram doesn't carry you here; your choices do. Look for the small unusual step that changes a lot, and weigh carefully before committing to the big risk. Watch for repeating the usual measures when the situation has outgrown them, and be honest with yourself about what a bold choice may cost.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 28 Excesses, which stays still
It's an exceptional time, so the measures must be exceptional too. Your actions should rest on unusual acts that seem small but bring extraordinary results.
The withered poplar puts out shoots. An old man takes a young wife. Nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 6 of 28 Excesses, which stays still
When, despite the drawbacks, you decide to take on extraordinary undertakings, you'll be exposed to danger and loss, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you did everything in your power.
Wading too far, the water closes over the crown of the head. Misfortune. No fault.
- The judgment of 19 Fleeting Success
A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.
- Line 1 of 19 Fleeting Success
If you join with the right people, you'll have support and backing when the decline comes.
Drawing near together. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 19 Fleeting Success
Relying too much on favorable situations will lead you to inertia and loss. If you react early, you can recover.
Drawing near with sweetness. Nothing is favorable. Once grieved by it, no fault.
- Line 4 of 19 Fleeting Success
Joining with the people under you and supporting them will help you stay stable.
Drawing near all the way. No fault.
- Line 5 of 19 Fleeting Success
Surrounding yourself with capable collaborators and respecting what they do, encouraging their autonomy, will bring you a stable achievement.
Drawing near with wisdom: what befits the great ruler. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 28 Excesses
You're in a situation that calls for extraordinary measures to keep what you've achieved from collapsing. Check and strengthen the foundations that hold up your projects, take innovative action and step out of your comfort zone. That way your success is assured; otherwise, loss can't be avoided.
The ridgepole sags. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
28 Excesses → 19 Fleeting Successlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Fleeting Success
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.