What this change means
With five lines moving, only the firm line at the bottom stays, and Coming Back becomes 1 Activity, heaven over heaven. That still first line of the resulting hexagram has a short message: it's not yet time to act. It may seem strange, since the resulting figure is all creative strength, new beginnings and the qualities that carry a project through. But strength still underground shouldn't be spent early. The thunder of the return is real, and so is the power ahead. Let it gather. Prepare, refine your plans, build your strength, and watch for the moment. When it comes, you'll have everything needed. Acting before then would waste the very energy that's making this turn possible. Readiness, not haste, is what this figure rewards.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 1 Activity, which stays still
It's not yet time to act.
A dragon under the water. Do not act.
- 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 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 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.
- 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.
- Line 6 of 24 Coming Back
If you let opportunities slip by and don't act at the right moment, it will no longer be possible to put things back in order, and you'll have to wait for new options to appear, which may take some time.
A lost return. Misfortune; there is calamity and ruin. If armies are set marching, in the end there will be a great defeat that reaches the ruler of the country. Misfortune. Not for ten years can a campaign be undertaken.
- The judgment of 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
1 Activity → 24 Coming Backlines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
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.