What this change means
Heaven and earth stop meeting when the first, third, fourth and fifth lines move, leaving Good Manners as 12 Decline. Four lines change, so the resulting hexagram's still lines guide the reading. The second says that when hostile people and circumstances press in, holding your strength within carries you through. The top line says that after stagnation comes a stage of growth, well-being and harmony. The resulting hexagram describes a climate poor for action or decisions, best met by withdrawing to safety and keeping a low profile. Good manners help here as quiet protection: polite, unremarkable, not drawn into anyone's schemes. Hold your inner strength, decline offers that don't sit right, and wait. Stagnation doesn't last forever. Courtesy costs nothing and keeps you out of trouble meanwhile.
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 12 Decline, which stays still
Even when adverse people and situations surround you, keeping your strength inside helps you get through this moment.
Embracing and obeying. For the petty person, good fortune; for the great person, stagnation. Success.
- Line 6 of 12 Decline, which stays still
After a period of stagnation comes a stage of growth, well-being and harmony.
Stagnation is overturned. First stagnation, then joy.
- The judgment of 22 Good Manners
It's a time to be kind and courteous and to use good manners with others if you want good results in what you undertake. What might seem superficial at another time leads you to success now. It's a time to handle everyday matters, not great undertakings.
Success. In small things, it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 1 of 22 Good Manners
Success in everyday matters now depends on using the resources that are yours, and no more.
Adorning the feet; leaving the carriage and going on foot.
- Line 3 of 22 Good Manners
When well-being surrounds you, don't relax too much and lose yourself in it.
Adorned, as if soaked through. Lasting constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 4 of 22 Good Manners
A time of great well-being is coming, and you can allow yourself to enjoy it.
Adorned and white; a white horse as if on wings. Not a raider: one who comes to ask for marriage.
- Line 5 of 22 Good Manners
Your genuine inner attitude, small as it may seem to you, is welcomed and accepted in higher circles.
Adornment on the hill and in the garden. The roll of silk is meager. Distress; in the end, good fortune.
- The judgment of 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
The trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 22 Good Mannerslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Good Manners
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 7The Armylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 8Unionlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 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.