Transformation · lines 3, 5, and 6

Nourishment becomes After the End

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Water stands above fire as the third, fifth and top lines move, and the meal looks finished just as it's served. The two judgments are read as equals. Nourishment counsels feeding body and spirit wisely and letting the good you receive flow outward. The resulting hexagram, 63 After the End, describes a passing success: everything seems to favor you, and afterward comes a period of stagnation that can be softened if you prepare ahead. Together, this asks you to eat well and store some away. Enjoy the success without overindulging in it, and use part of the abundance to prepare for leaner days. Keep the moderate habits that serve you, think about trouble before it comes, and guard against it while things still look easy.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. The judgment of 63 After the End

    You're in a situation where you'll have a passing success: everything seems to be in your favor, and at the end comes a period of stagnation. If you prepare for it ahead of time, you'll be able to soften its effects.

    Success in small things. Constancy is favorable. At first, good fortune; in the end, disorder.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

Below Thunder Fire
Above Mountain Water

The way back

63 After the End → 27 Nourishment
lines 3, 5, 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.

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