What this change means
Heaven and water pull apart as the third and top lines move, and both of them are lines of misfortune. The top leads: wading in too far despite the drawbacks exposes you to danger and loss, though without fault, since you gave everything. The third adds the trap of haste and refusing advice, which leaves you with no one willing to help. The resulting hexagram, 6 Conflict, describes a dispute that action won't solve; cleverness works better than force, and letting events run their course while seeking wise counsel can get you out. Taken together, this is a warning against fighting your way through. Stop pushing. Listen to someone who knows the terrain, think the whole thing through from the beginning, and accept that some battles are better left unfought.
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 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 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 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
6 Conflict → 28 Excesseslines 3 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
- 1Activitylines 1 and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2 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.