What this change means
Thunder and lightning meet when the fourth and top lines move, and the figure becomes 21 Biting. The top line leads with a warning: a return that's missed because opportunities slipped by, leaving a long wait for new ones. The fourth shows a healthier movement, walking among others but coming back alone, stepping away from people who aren't right for you to find guidance. The resulting hexagram calls for firm, decisive action against what blocks you, with clear limits and without fear. So don't let this moment pass as well. If certain people or situations are holding you back, deal with them directly. Set boundaries, make the break if it's needed, and act with energy. Hesitation is what turns a possible return into a lost one.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
The trigrams
The way back
21 Biting → 24 Coming Backlines 4 and 6
Other transformations of Coming Back
- 7The Armylines 1 and 2
- 15Simplicitylines 1 and 3
- 11Well-Beinglines 2 and 3
- 16Passionlines 1 and 4
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2 and 4
- 55Abundancelines 3 and 4
- 8Unionlines 1 and 5
- 60Thriftlines 2 and 5
- 63After the Endlines 3 and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 4 and 5
- 23The Falllines 1 and 6
- 41Decreaselines 2 and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 3 and 6
- 42Increaselines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.