What this change means
Water on the mountain: as four lines move, the jaws face a steep path where every step costs something. The resulting hexagram is 39 Held Back, and its two motionless lines set the tone. The second says it's time to face difficulties that seem to multiply the further you go; still, if your actions go with inner integrity, you can succeed in the end. The fourth says you won't get past the obstacles alone: return to steadier ground and look for support from like-minded people. Nourishment adds its own dimension. When the going is hard, feeding yourself well isn't a luxury, it's how you last. Rest when you need to, accept others' help, and give yours in return. Keep your conduct honest. Progress here comes obstacle by obstacle, with companions, not through a solitary push.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 39 Held Back, which stays still
It's time to face the difficulties, which seem to grow as you advance. Still, if your actions go hand in hand with inner integrity, you'll succeed in the end.
The king's servant, in hardship upon hardship, and not of their own doing.
- Line 4 of 39 Held Back, which stays still
You won't get past the obstacles on your own. It's time to return to more stable conditions and look for support from like-minded people; with their help you'll succeed.
Going: hardship. Coming: joined with others.
- 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 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 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.
- Line 6 of 27 Nourishment
You gain the resources to take care of your own affairs, and you help others get theirs. This brings a great responsibility, but also great success.
From here comes sustenance. Danger; good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- The judgment of 39 Held Back
Every time you advance, something blocks you, forcing you to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who give you their support. That way you'll get past the obstacles one by one until the final victory.
The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
39 Held Back → 27 Nourishmentlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Nourishment
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, 4, 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
- 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.