Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 4

Coming Back becomes What Lasts

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Four lines move, the four lowest, and Coming Back becomes 32 What Lasts, wind and thunder together. The resulting hexagram's still fifth and top lines now guide the reading. The fifth says your achievements depend on your boldness and on opening yourself to new paths. The top line warns that acting all the time, without pausing to reflect and rest, leaves you drained and stuck. These two balance each other well. The return asks for a fresh direction, so dare to try what you haven't tried. But don't turn that daring into constant motion. Build pauses into the work. Think between steps, rest when you need to, and keep your goals clear. Duration comes from rhythm, not from pushing nonstop, and a return that burns out early isn't one that lasts.

What to read, in order

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

  1. Line 5 of 32 What Lasts, which stays still

    Right now your achievements will depend on your ability to be bold and open yourself to new paths.

    Making one's virtue last, with constancy. For the wife, good fortune; for the husband, misfortune.

  2. Line 6 of 32 What Lasts, which stays still

    If you're always acting without giving yourself time to reflect and rest, you'll end up exhausted and stuck.

    Shaking duration. Misfortune.

  3. The judgment of 24 Coming Back

    After a period of adversity and darkness, the return comes. Still, be aware of the mistakes that led you into the dark, because if you repeat them you could fall again. People will come to help you, and your undertakings and projects will be favored.

    Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends arrive, no fault. Back and forth along its way: in seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.

  4. Line 1 of 24 Coming Back

    Success lies in doing things at the perfect time: watch the signs and act on them.

    Returning from not far, without coming to regret. Great good fortune.

  5. Line 2 of 24 Coming Back

    Surrounding yourself with the right people right now will bring success.

    A restful return. Good fortune.

  6. Line 3 of 24 Coming Back

    If you act with insecurity, going forward and back and repeating past mistakes, you'll stray from the path and from right action.

    Returning again and again. Danger; no fault.

  7. Line 4 of 24 Coming Back

    If you notice who the people around you really are and step away from those you see aren't right, even if you're left without company for a while, you'll find guidance and help.

    Walking in the middle of the others, returning alone.

  8. The judgment of 32 What Lasts

    This moment asks you for action, not stillness. It asks you to have clear goals to head toward and to act in line with them. That way you'll achieve things, and your achievements will keep growing and will last.

    Success. No fault. Constancy is favorable. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.

The trigrams

Below Thunder Wind
Above Earth Thunder

The way back

32 What Lasts → 24 Coming Back
lines 1, 2, 3, and 4

Other transformations of Coming Back

Make your own cast

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

Toss the coins