What this change means
Water on the mountain takes the place of thunder in the earth: three lines move, and Coming Back turns into 39 Held Back. The two judgments are given equal weight. The first speaks of a return after darkness, well supported, though it asks you to stay honest about the errors behind you. The second says that every time you move forward something stops you, so you have to pause, step back, and seek support from like-minded people. So the comeback meets resistance. That doesn't mean it's wrong. It means it will be won obstacle by obstacle. When you're blocked, look first at your own conduct, since the mistakes that led you down may be what's tripping you now. Then reach out for allies. Each obstacle passed with help brings you closer.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- The judgment of 39 Held Back
Every time you advance, something blocks you, forcing you to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who give you their support. That way you'll get past the obstacles one by one until the final victory.
The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Constancy brings good fortune.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
39 Held Back → 24 Coming Backlines 1, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Coming Back
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, and 3
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 4
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, and 4
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, and 4
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 3, 4, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 3, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 3, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 4, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 2, 4, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 3, 4, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 3, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.