What this change means
Below and above, everything turns to Water as four lines move, the first, second, fourth and top: Innocence turns into 29 Water, the pit doubled. The counsel comes from the two still lines of the resulting hexagram. The third says this is a moment to halt and observe, moving only once you're confident the step will succeed, and to seek inner guidance. The fifth says you'll get out of the obstacles by following the path of least resistance, step by step, toward your goal. The resulting hexagram compares you to a stream that keeps moving through obstacle after obstacle and isn't stopped as long as it flows. With Innocence behind it, the advice is honest and patient. Don't freeze in fear, and don't charge either. Pause, listen inward, then move along the easiest honest path, one stretch at a time.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 29 Water, which stays still
It's time to stop, watch and act only when you're sure that moving forward will lead to success. Ask for inner guidance.
Coming and going: pit and pit. Danger, and depth besides. Entering the bottom of the pit. Do not act.
- Line 5 of 29 Water, which stays still
You'll get out of the obstacles now if you follow the path of least resistance and, step by step, head toward your goal.
The pit does not overflow; it fills just to the level. No fault.
- The judgment of 25 Innocence
If you act with a pure heart, free of hidden motives and without straying from what is right, true to original human nature, you'll let the blessings of heaven reach you. Otherwise you'll meet obstacles and your affairs will become difficult.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. If it is not upright, there is calamity. It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 1 of 25 Innocence
Follow the way of the heart: it will always know what is right at each moment. This will lead you to success.
Without falseness. Going brings good fortune.
- Line 2 of 25 Innocence
Doing your work without thinking about what you'll get from it is the way to succeed.
Not plowing with the harvest in mind, not clearing land with the ripe field in mind: then it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 4 of 25 Innocence
No one can take from you what belongs to you, so keep doing the right thing at the right time, and you'll reap the fruits.
Constancy is possible. No fault.
- Line 6 of 25 Innocence
If you try to force things without waiting for the right conditions, you'll go astray and delay getting what you want.
Without falseness. Moving on brings calamity. Nothing is favorable.
- The judgment of 29 Water
Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.
There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.
The trigrams
The way back
29 Water → 25 Innocencelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Innocence
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.