What this change means
Both yielding lines move, at the bottom and the top, and Excesses becomes pure Heaven. The top line leads: going ahead with an extraordinary undertaking despite the drawbacks exposes you to danger and loss, like wading until the water covers your head, but it leaves no fault and the satisfaction of having done all you could. The first line gives the counterweight: start cautiously, checking every step and laying a careful base. The resulting hexagram, 1 Activity, speaks of creative power, new beginnings, and the qualities to carry a project through. So the pair frames a bold venture with care at both ends. You have the strength to attempt something remarkable. Prepare the ground meticulously, accept the risk honestly, and give it everything. Whatever the outcome, you'll know you acted fully.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 28 Excesses
When, despite the drawbacks, you decide to take on extraordinary undertakings, you'll be exposed to danger and loss, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you did everything in your power.
Wading too far, the water closes over the crown of the head. Misfortune. 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.
- 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 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
1 Activity → 28 Excesseslines 1 and 6
Other transformations of Excesses
- 49Renewallines 1 and 2
- 58Inner Peacelines 1 and 3
- 45Meetinglines 2 and 3
- 5Inactionlines 1 and 4
- 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
- 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.