What this change means
A withered poplar puts out new shoots, and an old man takes a young wife: the second line finds life where things looked dry. In an exceptional time, the measures have to be exceptional too, and here they're surprising ones, small-seeming acts that can bring extraordinary results. Nothing in this line is unfavorable. When it moves, the Wind beneath the lake turns into Mountain, and the resulting hexagram is 31 Attraction. That one says good results come to the extent that you stay open and receptive, letting people come near who'll support you generously. So the renewal may arrive through a new connection, an unexpected partner, or help from a quarter you'd written off. Don't dismiss small gestures or unlikely alliances. Stay open, try the modest unusual step, and let fresh growth come from what seemed past its season.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 31 Attraction
You'll get good results to the extent that you stay open and receptive, which lets people come close who will support you and help you get there, generously and without self-interest.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
31 Attraction → 28 Excessesline 2
Other transformations of Excesses
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.