What this change means
Clouds rise up to heaven as the first and fourth lines move, and the beam under strain finds a pause. The fourth line leads: support can come from those below you, and the ridgepole lifts, as long as giving and receiving stay in balance; take advantage of people and they'll pull away. The first line asks you to begin slowly, checking each step and laying a careful base. The resulting hexagram, 5 Inaction, says it's time to wait, not to act, though waiting is preparation for an active period ahead. A calm attitude and an honest look at the conditions can lead you to success. So use the lull. Strengthen relationships with those who help you, set your foundations in order, and don't rush the big move. When the moment to act arrives, you'll be ready and supported.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 28 Excesses
You can receive help from those under you now, but if you take advantage of it and there's no balance between giving and receiving, they'll withdraw their support and there will be loss.
The ridgepole rises. Good fortune. If there is something else, distress.
- 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.
- 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 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 28 Excesseslines 1 and 4
Other transformations of Excesses
- 49Renewallines 1 and 2
- 58Inner Peacelines 1 and 3
- 45Meetinglines 2 and 3
- 39Held Backlines 2 and 4
- 29Waterlines 3 and 4
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1 and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2 and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 3 and 5
- 46Going Uplines 4 and 5
- 1Activitylines 1 and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2 and 6
- 6Conflictlines 3 and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 4 and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.