What this change means
A mountain hides within the earth as the second, third and fifth lines move, and the restless water settles into something low and solid. The starting judgment tells you obstacles will keep coming, and that sincerity, a steady heart and the will to keep moving get you through. The resulting hexagram, 15 Simplicity, asks for a quieter kind of strength: don't boast or show off, keep things plain, and make sure you act fairly. Your qualities will show on their own and be recognized. Taken in balance, the two ask you to keep moving forward without making a show of it. You don't need to prove anything while you work your way out of the pit. Watch for the temptation to inflate your role or your results. Steady effort, done simply and fairly, will speak for you better than any display.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- The judgment of 15 Simplicity
This isn't the time to boast or show off. It's time to keep things simple and to make sure you act fairly; your qualities and talents will show on their own and be recognized.
Success. The noble person reaches the end.
- Line 2 of 29 Water
You're in a dangerous situation where you only get results in small matters. This isn't the time for great success.
In the pit there is danger. Seeking, a little is gained.
- 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.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
15 Simplicity → 29 Waterlines 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Water
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, and 3
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, and 4
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 3, and 4
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 3, and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 4, and 5
- 16Passionlines 2, 4, and 5
- 32What Lastslines 3, 4, and 5
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 3, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 4, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 4, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3, 4, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 1, 5, and 6
- 23The Falllines 2, 5, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 3, 5, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.