Transformation · lines 3 and 4

Nourishment becomes The Flame

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Both trigrams turn to fire when the third and fourth lines move, and brightness doubles. The fourth line leads: seeking the right nourishment for yourself and helping others nourish themselves well brings success and help, pursued with a tiger's intent watchfulness. The third is its warning: if you feed only the worldly appetite and overindulge, misfortune follows, and for a long while nothing will be favorable. The line between them is balance. The resulting hexagram, 30 The Flame, promises clarity: your inner self guides you, and a generous attitude that shares your light increases what you gain. So let that clarity sort your appetites. Notice which hungers lead somewhere and which only consume you. Feed the first, moderate the second, and share what you've found with others. A flame needs fuel, but too much of it smothers the fire.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  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 30 The Flame

    There's clarity in what you do: your inner self guides you toward your goals. A generous attitude helps you, one that leads you to share your light, and this will increase your gains and achievements.

    Constancy is favorable. Success. Raising a cow brings good fortune.

The trigrams

Below Thunder Fire
Above Mountain Fire

The way back

30 The Flame → 27 Nourishment
lines 3 and 4

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