Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 5

Water becomes Great Manifestation

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Thunder rumbles above heaven when four lines move, the first, third, fourth and fifth, and the pit gives way to real strength. With so much changing, look to the still second and top lines of 34 Great Manifestation. The second says circumstances are opening and conditions keep improving, yet you still need to stay centered and keep persevering to get what you want. The top line is the caution: pushing ahead without thinking and without listening to feedback leads you to a wall that blocks the way, and knowing that early lets you change course in time. So you're coming out of a hard stretch with more power than before. Use it with judgment. Stay balanced, keep working, and pay attention to what others tell you. Force without reflection would build a new obstacle right where the old ones were cleared.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. Line 2 of 34 Great Manifestation, which stays still

    Circumstances are starting to open up and conditions keep getting better. Still, stay centered and keep persevering to get the results you want.

    Constancy brings good fortune.

  2. Line 6 of 34 Great Manifestation, which stays still

    If you push ahead without thinking and without taking in feedback, you reach a point that becomes a wall and blocks your way. Being aware of this before you go too far will let you change course.

    A ram butts the fence: it can't go back, it can't go on. Nothing is favorable. Taking on the hardship: good fortune.

  3. The judgment of 29 Water

    Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.

    There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.

  4. Line 1 of 29 Water

    You won't get results if you keep acting recklessly in the direction you're going, without watching outside circumstances.

    Pit upon pit. Entering the bottom of the pit. Misfortune.

  5. Line 3 of 29 Water

    It's time to stop, watch and act only when you're sure that moving forward will lead to success. Ask for inner guidance.

    Coming and going: pit and pit. Danger, and depth besides. Entering the bottom of the pit. Do not act.

  6. Line 4 of 29 Water

    Obstacles will be overcome now only if you open up to help that seems minor but will make the difference.

    A jug of wine, a bowl of grain besides, in clay vessels. The simple offering passes in through the window. In the end, no fault.

  7. Line 5 of 29 Water

    You'll get out of the obstacles now if you follow the path of least resistance and, step by step, head toward your goal.

    The pit does not overflow; it fills just to the level. No fault.

  8. The judgment of 34 Great Manifestation

    You have what it takes to carry out big projects and achieve extraordinary things. Still, you need to stay active and keep persevering. Thinking and acting in harmony will keep you holding to what is right and will make your achievements last.

    Constancy is favorable.

The trigrams

Below Water Heaven
Above Water Thunder

The way back

34 Great Manifestation → 29 Water
lines 1, 3, 4, and 5

Other transformations of Water

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins