What this change means
A lost return is the darkest image in this figure: the top line pictures someone who has missed the way back, with calamity following and armies that end in defeat. In practical terms, if you let opportunities slip and don't act at the right moment, it may become impossible to restore order, and you'll have to wait for new options, which can take a long time. As the line moves, the upper Earth becomes Mountain, and the figure turns into 27 Nourishment, thunder beneath the mountain. That points to what you can still do. Take care of what feeds you, body and spirit, so you have resources when the next opening comes. Be careful with words, moderate in habits, and help others grow. Use the wait to get stronger.
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.
- 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 27 Nourishment
Right now you need to take care of your physical and spiritual nourishment, so you have the resources you need in each area, and at the same time help others grow through what you do. Success lies in giving and receiving: take in what is good for you and share it with those around you.
Constancy brings good fortune. Watching the jaws; seeking for oneself what fills the mouth.
The trigrams
The way back
27 Nourishment → 24 Coming Backline 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.