What this change means
Heaven and water go opposite ways once four lines move, and the shared table of the jaws turns into a dispute. Attention goes to the lines that don't move in the resulting hexagram, 6 Conflict. The third says what you've gained honestly can't be taken from you; if gossip comes, don't be intimidated, and hold firm. The top line warns that insisting on being right at this point will only make you lose. Both point to the same balance. Stand on what you've earned, but don't fight for vindication. Nourishment adds its own counsel: be careful with your words and moderate in your appetite, including the appetite for winning. The resulting hexagram says cleverness works better than force, and that the advice of someone wise can help. Keep what's yours, let the rest pass, and feed yourself quietly while the conflict runs its course.
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 6 Conflict, which stays still
What you've gained honestly can't be taken from you. Even if gossip comes up, don't be intimidated; hold firm.
Feeding on old virtue. Constancy is in danger; in the end, good fortune. If it serves in the king's affairs, no achievement of its own.
- Line 6 of 6 Conflict, which stays still
Insisting on being right at this moment will only make you lose.
Perhaps a belt of honor is bestowed; before the morning is out, it is stripped away three times.
- 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 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 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
6 Conflict → 27 Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Nourishment
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 1Activitylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 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.