Transformation · lines 2, 4, and 5

Water becomes Passion

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

With the second, fourth and fifth lines moving, thunder bursts out of the earth, and the heavy, doubled danger turns into energy and drive. Water's judgment frames the start: obstacles keep arriving, and you get past them by moving, keeping your heart sincere and refusing to be frozen by fear. The resulting hexagram, 16 Passion, describes a time of enthusiasm you can pass on to others to win their help, so you can take on big projects with optimism. It also asks you not to look only after your own interests; the needs of those working with you matter if the venture is to last. Weighed together, the two say your way out of the pit has momentum now. Use it, share it, and bring people along. Just watch that the excitement doesn't make you forget the ones who carry the work beside you.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. The judgment of 16 Passion

    A time of passionate drive toward action. You can pass this passion on to others to gain their help, which lets you take on big projects with resolve and optimism. For these ventures to succeed and last, you can't look after only your own interests; you also need to keep in mind the needs of the people working with you.

    It is favorable to install lords and set the army in motion.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

Below Water Earth
Above Water Thunder

The way back

16 Passion → 29 Water
lines 2, 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