Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 5
Coming Back becomes Right Action
What this change means
Water drawn up over wood: four lines move and Coming Back becomes 48 Right Action. The still fourth and top lines of the resulting hexagram give the guidance. The fourth asks you to rethink, turn toward the opportunities, and put your talents to work. The top line says you have the abilities to act and seize the moment, along with the wish to contribute to those around you, and that this brings success. That's an encouraging frame for a return. The well is already there; you don't need to search for something new. Look at what you have, the skills and the openings, and use them. Don't keep postponing. And let the good you draw reach others too, since the well's water is meant to be shared.
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 48 Right Action, which stays still
It's time to rethink and focus on the opportunities. If you focus on action and use your talents, you'll succeed.
The well is lined with brick. No fault.
- Line 6 of 48 Right Action, which stays still
You have all the talents and abilities to act and seize the moment, and you also want to contribute to those around you: there will be success.
Water is drawn from the well: do not cover it. There is sincere trust. Great good fortune.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 24 Coming Back
Surrounding yourself with the right people right now will bring success.
A restful return. Good fortune.
- 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.
- Line 5 of 24 Coming Back
Acting without delay, recognizing past mistakes and correcting them, will lead you to sure success.
A generous return. No regret.
- The judgment of 48 Right Action
You're at a moment when opportunities are on your side. But if you don't know how to use them because you keep putting off decisions and actions, being in the right place at the right time won't do you any good. It's not about looking for new things but about making use of what you have, or there will be loss.
The town is changed, the well is not. Nothing lost, nothing gained. They come and go, and draw from the well. Nearly there, the rope does not yet reach the well; if the jar breaks, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
48 Right Action → 24 Coming Backlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Coming Back
- 32What Lastslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 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.