What this change means
The whole lower trigram changes, Wind becoming Thunder inside the lake, and a structure under strain starts to move with the times. Three lines moving put the two judgments side by side. Excesses describes a ridgepole sagging under too much load: what you've built needs extraordinary measures, stronger foundations, and the courage to try something new, or it can give way. Going somewhere is favorable. The resulting hexagram, 17 Adapting, says this is a time both to lead and to follow, to see the place life is asking you to take and act genuinely from there. Read together, the extraordinary measure may be flexibility itself. Don't cling to a role that's cracking under the weight. Take the lead where you're needed, follow where someone else sees more clearly, and rest when the day is done.
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 28 Excesses
You're in a situation that calls for extraordinary measures to keep what you've achieved from collapsing. Check and strengthen the foundations that hold up your projects, take innovative action and step out of your comfort zone. That way your success is assured; otherwise, loss can't be avoided.
The ridgepole sags. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Success.
- The judgment of 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
- Line 1 of 28 Excesses
To carry out an extraordinary project now, start cautiously, checking each step to build good foundations.
Spreading white rushes underneath. No fault.
- Line 2 of 28 Excesses
It's an exceptional time, so the measures must be exceptional too. Your actions should rest on unusual acts that seem small but bring extraordinary results.
The withered poplar puts out shoots. An old man takes a young wife. Nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 3 of 28 Excesses
Acting hastily and not listening to advice will lead you to loss, because in the end no one will want to help you.
The ridgepole sags. Misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 28 Excesseslines 1, 2, and 3
Other transformations of Excesses
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, and 4
- 60Thriftlines 1, 3, and 4
- 8Unionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 3, and 5
- 16Passionlines 2, 3, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 4, and 5
- 7The Armylines 3, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 4, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 4, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 3, 4, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 5, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 5, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 3, 5, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.