Transformation · lines 2, 4, and 6
Nourishment becomes A Subordinate Role
What this change means
Thunder sounds above the lake as the second, fourth and top lines move, and you find yourself seated lower at the table than you might like. The two judgments are weighed together. Nourishment asks for attention to what sustains you, inside and out. The resulting hexagram, 54 A Subordinate Role, says you have to take second place to others for now, and that personal initiatives tend to fail. Recognizing the moment and acting accordingly is what's possible until things change. Taken together, this asks for a modest kind of self-care. Look after your own needs without demanding more than your position allows. Speak carefully, accept what you're given with grace, and use this time to keep yourself well, ready for a better position later.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. 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.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
54 A Subordinate Role → 27 Nourishmentlines 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Nourishment
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, and 3
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 3, and 4
- 14Wealthlines 2, 3, and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 3, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 3, and 5
- 12Declinelines 1, 4, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 3, 4, and 5
- 7The Armylines 1, 2, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 3, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 2, 3, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 4, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 3, 4, and 6
- 8Unionlines 1, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 2, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 3, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.