What this change means
Thunder and lightning arrive together as three lines move, and a strained structure swells into fullness. The two judgments are given equal weight. Excesses speaks of a time beyond the ordinary, when only innovative action and a stronger base keep what you've won from falling. The resulting hexagram, 55 Abundance, describes growth toward a period of satisfaction that will last a while and then wane; enjoy it, and when it fades, stay calm and keep your spirits up. Together they say that fullness and overload are close cousins. When things are going well, it's easy to keep adding until something bends. Enjoy the good season, but keep checking the foundations under it. Take the unusual measures that make it sustainable, and don't build so much on the peak that the decline becomes a collapse.
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 55 Abundance
You're growing toward a period of satisfaction and abundance. It will last for a while, and when it ends, stay calm, without sadness or worry. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it wanes, keep your spirits up and enjoy what you've achieved.
Success. The king reaches it. Do not grieve: the noonday sun is fitting.
- 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 5 of 28 Excesses
When you focus on strengthening ties with those above you but forget to pay attention to those you lead, your success will be limited.
The withered poplar puts out flowers. An old woman takes a young husband. No fault, no praise.
The trigrams
The way back
55 Abundance → 28 Excesseslines 1, 2, and 5
Other transformations of Excesses
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, and 4
- 60Thriftlines 1, 3, and 4
- 8Unionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 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.