Transformation · lines 2 and 6

Nourishment becomes Fleeting Success

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Earth comes to rest above the lake when the second and top lines move, and a good spell draws near. The top line leads: you become a source of sustenance, gaining the resources for your own affairs and helping others with theirs. There's danger in that, and good fortune, and the crossing is favored. The second line warns against the opposite stance, expecting to be provided for while serving only yourself. The resulting hexagram, 19 Fleeting Success, describes a period of luck and well-being that's limited in time; conditions will change afterward. If you read the signs and take precautions, you can soften the decline when it comes. So use this spell to provide, not to coast. Take responsibility, help others while the resources are there, and set something aside for when the season turns.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. The judgment of 19 Fleeting Success

    A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.

    Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.

The trigrams

Below Thunder Lake
Above Mountain Earth

The way back

19 Fleeting Success → 27 Nourishment
lines 2 and 6

Other transformations of Nourishment

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins