What this change means
Fire flares in the middle of the lake: with only the second line still, The Fall becomes 49 Renewal. That still second line of the resulting hexagram leads, saying that once several attempts to fix something have failed, a radical change is called for. Under the long stripping, you may have tried patching, waiting, adjusting. If none of it has worked, the answer may be to shed the old skin altogether. The resulting hexagram adds care about timing and judgment: weigh what really needs to change and what doesn't, take each step at its proper moment, and let go of what no longer serves. Don't change everything out of frustration. Change what's finished, decisively, and make room for the new to arrive. Renewal done well keeps what still works.
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 49 Renewal, which stays still
When you've tried several things to solve something and nothing works, it's time for radical change.
When the day has come, the change is made. Setting out brings good fortune. No fault.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line 3 of 23 The Fall
Turning to spiritual resources and inner help will keep adversity away.
Stripping. No fault.
- Line 4 of 23 The Fall
Adversity is advancing; even your body may be affected.
The bed is stripped down to the skin. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 23 The Fall
You'll receive unexpected help that puts you in a favorable position.
Fish strung in a row: favor like that of the palace ladies. Nothing that is not favorable.
- 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 judgment of 49 Renewal
You're in a time of renewal, like shedding a skin. Open yourself to change and to new ways of doing things. Success lies in taking each step at exactly the right moment, and in weighing what needs to change and what doesn't, what is no longer doing its job. Don't be afraid to let it go: you need to make room for the new to arrive.
When the day has come, there is trust. Great success. Constancy is favorable. Regret vanishes.
The trigrams
The way back
49 Renewal → 23 The Falllines 1, 3, 4, 5, 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.