Transformation · lines 2 and 3
Nourishment becomes Great Achievements
What this change means
Heaven gathers inside the mountain when the second and third lines move together, and a lot of stored force wants an outlet. The third line leads with a warning about balance: overindulging in worldly food and neglecting the higher kind brings misfortune. The second adds that leaning on others to run your life, or thinking only of yourself, won't help. Yet the resulting hexagram, 26 Great Achievements, opens a surprising door. It says this is a good moment to leave your comfort zone and try actions beyond what you think you can do, because you have the qualities needed. The way through is to put the appetite in order first. Take responsibility for your own needs, moderate what's excessive, and then direct that gathered energy toward something bold and worthwhile. Unusual actions are favored, but only when they grow from discipline rather than craving.
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 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 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.
- 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 judgment of 26 Great Achievements
It's a good moment to leave your comfort zone and take on new actions, beyond what you think you can do. Heaven favors unusual actions that will lead you to success, because you have the qualities needed.
Constancy is favorable. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
26 Great Achievements → 27 Nourishmentlines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Nourishment
- 4Immaturitylines 1 and 2
- 52Abidinglines 1 and 3
- 35Advancelines 1 and 4
- 38Oppositeslines 2 and 4
- 30The Flamelines 3 and 4
- 20Observinglines 1 and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 2 and 5
- 37The Tribelines 3 and 5
- 25Innocencelines 4 and 5
- 2Passivitylines 1 and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2 and 6
- 36Darknesslines 3 and 6
- 51Shocklines 4 and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.