Transformation · lines 5 and 6
Excesses becomes The Vessel of Nourishment
What this change means
Fire burns above wood as the fifth and top lines move, and the overloaded house becomes a cauldron. The top line leads, and it's the wader: whoever pushes on with a remarkable venture against the odds risks going under, yet carries no blame, having held nothing back. The fifth line cautions against looking only upward: favor with the powerful, bought by ignoring your own people, is a blossom that bears nothing. The resulting hexagram, 50 The Vessel of Nourishment, describes change that happens naturally, little by little, the way food cooks; keep the flame of enthusiasm lit and know your resources. So don't plunge. Let the transformation cook. Take care of the people who work with you, count your ingredients honestly, and let steady heat do what a dramatic leap can't.
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 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 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 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great good fortune. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
50 The Vessel of Nourishment → 28 Excesseslines 5 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
- 6Conflictlines 3 and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 4 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.