What this change means
Clouds rise to the sky as the second, third and fifth lines change, and Coming Back becomes 5 Inaction. Both judgments carry the same weight. Coming Back describes the way out of a dark period, with friends at hand, for anyone willing to keep their old missteps in mind. The resulting one says it's time to wait rather than act, though waiting is active: prepare for the period that's coming, see conditions honestly, stay calm and alert. These fit better than they seem. The return is real, but it isn't yet the moment to move on it. Rushing could repeat old errors. Use the pause to get ready, to look at your situation without illusions, and to rest. When the time to act comes, you'll recognize it, and you'll be prepared.
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 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 24 Coming Backlines 2, 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
- 39Held Backlines 1, 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.