What this change means
A mountain resting on earth: as the second, fifth and top lines move, the pit gives way to a time when things are being stripped away. What the pit asked of you still holds: keep going, with an honest heart, and refuse to let fear decide. The resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, describes a hard time in which, even when you're right, your words aren't believed, and people who misuse power are on the rise. It asks you not to push ahead, but to recognize the time for what it is and to be generous toward those beneath you. Held in balance, the two say that moving forward now is about endurance, not advance. Keep your integrity, don't waste effort arguing, and strengthen your base by supporting others. Watch for the impulse to fight openly. Holding on quietly lets you outlast the decline.
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 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
- 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 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.
- Line 6 of 29 Water
Trying to escape the obstacles, you get more tangled if you keep doing things the wrong way and side with the wrong people.
Bound with braided cords, set among thorn thickets; three years and no way out. Misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 29 Waterlines 2, 5, and 6
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
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 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
- 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.