Transformation · lines 1, 2, and 6

The Fall becomes Fleeting Success

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Earth over the lake: with the first, second and top lines moving, The Fall becomes 19 Fleeting Success, and the two judgments weigh equally. The starting situation is a time of obstacles and disbelief, when lesser people abuse power and pushing ahead would be unwise; it asks you to hold on and to be generous with those below you. The resulting one announces a period of luck and well-being that's limited in time, after which conditions change again. So the stripping gives way to a good spell, but not a permanent one. Make the most of it. Use the improvement to strengthen what was weakened, to support the people who stood by you, and to prepare. Read the signs, take precautions before things turn, and you won't avoid the next decline, but you can soften it.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Line 1 of 23 The Fall

    Your enemies have the power now and use any means to damage your image, even slander. All you can do is keep your inner strength and wait for better times.

    The bed is stripped at the legs. Constancy is destroyed: misfortune.

  4. Line 2 of 23 The Fall

    Resources and help aren't enough right now. All you can do is wait for better conditions.

    The bed is stripped at the frame. Constancy is destroyed: misfortune.

  5. Line 6 of 23 The Fall

    Little by little the adverse situations will give way, and gradually adversity will turn into opportunity.

    A great fruit left uneaten. The noble person gains a carriage; the petty person's hut is stripped.

The trigrams

Below Earth Lake
Above Mountain Earth

The way back

19 Fleeting Success → 23 The Fall
lines 1, 2, and 6

Other transformations of The Fall

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins