Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Nourishment becomes Lack of Firmness
What this change means
Five lines move, and only the top line holds: the jaws dissolve into wind blowing under heaven. With five lines changing, the reading turns to that one still line of the resulting hexagram, 44 Lack of Firmness. It says your distance from unsuitable people may make you seem cold or proud, yet that's wiser than getting entangled. The resulting hexagram warns of people or situations you think you can control, maybe even a habit, that end up controlling you unless you set firm limits. Through the lens of Nourishment, this is about what you let in. Not everything offered to you is food, and some of it is quietly harmful. Keep your distance where you need to, even if it costs you some warmth in others' eyes. Firm limits now protect the nourishment you've worked to secure.
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 44 Lack of Firmness, which stays still
Your distance from unsuitable people makes you look proud and aloof, but that's better than getting involved with them.
Meeting with the horns. Distress. No fault.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 27 Nourishment
Being ungrateful for what you have and busying yourself envying what others have will hold back your achievements.
You let go of your sacred tortoise and watch my jaw working. Misfortune.
- Line 2 of 27 Nourishment
Expecting others to sort out your affairs and acting selfishly isn't favorable.
Jaws turned upside down: against the norm. Seeking sustenance from the hill. Setting out brings misfortune.
- Line 3 of 27 Nourishment
Watch the balance between your worldly food and your higher food closely: tending only to the first, and overindulging, brings misfortune.
Going against sustenance. Even with constancy, misfortune. For ten years, do not act. Nothing is favorable.
- Line 4 of 27 Nourishment
Getting the right nourishment for yourself and seeing how you can help others nourish themselves well brings you success and help.
Jaws upside down: good fortune. The tiger stares, intent and watchful; its desire chases on and on. No fault.
- Line 5 of 27 Nourishment
Being aware of your limits in helping others and asking advice on how to do it will bring you moderate achievements, not extraordinary ones, but it's something.
Against the norm. Abiding in constancy brings good fortune. The great river cannot be crossed.
- The judgment of 44 Lack of Firmness
You're surrounded by unsuitable people or situations. You know it, but you think you have the power to control them and don't take them very seriously; it may even be a bad habit. If you don't pay attention and set firm limits, they'll take control over you and you won't be able to pull away.
The woman is strong. Do not take her as a wife.
The trigrams
The way back
44 Lack of Firmness → 27 Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Nourishment
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.