What this change means
Fire burns in the middle of the lake as the four upper lines move, and the old way of eating is ready to be shed like a skin. In the resulting hexagram, 49 Renewal, the first and second lines hold still, and they speak for this change. The first says avoid rushing change; wait for good conditions and for clarity about what needs renewing. The second adds that once you've tried several things and none has worked, it's time for a radical change. Both apply to Nourishment's question of habits. Maybe what you've been feeding yourself, in body, mind or relationships, no longer serves you. Don't overturn everything on impulse. Get clear first, wait for the right moment, and then, if the small fixes have failed, change deeply. Make room for something new by letting go of what's worn out.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 49 Renewal, which stays still
Don't rush into changes. Wait until conditions are favorable and you're clear about what you want to renew.
Bound fast with the hide of a yellow ox.
- Line 2 of 49 Renewal, which stays still
When you've tried several things to solve something and nothing works, it's time for radical change.
When the day has come, the change is made. Setting out brings good fortune. No fault.
- 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 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 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 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 49 Renewal
You're in a time of renewal, like shedding a skin. Open yourself to change and to new ways of doing things. Success lies in taking each step at exactly the right moment, and in weighing what needs to change and what doesn't, what is no longer doing its job. Don't be afraid to let it go: you need to make room for the new to arrive.
When the day has come, there is trust. Great success. Constancy is favorable. Regret vanishes.
The trigrams
The way back
49 Renewal → 27 Nourishmentlines 3, 4, 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
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.