What this change means
Both trigrams shift at once: Thunder becomes Earth, Fire becomes Mountain, and Biting turns into 23 The Fall. The fourth line leads. Difficulties are heavy, and the counsel is to hold firm and overcome them one by one, with constancy through the hardship. The first line adds that if you catch yourself on a wrong path, you should own it and change course quickly. The resulting hexagram is sober. It describes a time when being right doesn't guarantee being heard, and when people who misuse power can be gaining ground. That doesn't cancel the fourth line's resolve, but it shapes it. Persist without forcing your way forward, correct your own errors early so you give no one an opening, and be generous toward those who depend on you. Holding steady through this stretch matters more than winning it.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 21 Biting
You're in a time of great difficulties that feel overwhelming, but stay firm and resolute in the face of adversity, overcoming the obstacles one by one.
Biting dried meat on the bone, finding a metal arrowhead. Constancy in hardship is favorable. Good fortune.
- Line 1 of 21 Biting
If you realize you're doing the wrong thing, take responsibility for your actions and change course quickly.
Feet in the stocks, the toes lost from sight. No fault.
- The judgment of 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
- The judgment of 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 21 Bitinglines 1 and 4
Other transformations of Biting
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 2
- 56The Travelerlines 1 and 3
- 14Wealthlines 2 and 3
- 41Decreaselines 2 and 4
- 22Good Mannerslines 3 and 4
- 12Declinelines 1 and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2 and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 3 and 5
- 42Increaselines 4 and 5
- 16Passionlines 1 and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2 and 6
- 55Abundancelines 3 and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 4 and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.