What this change means
The lake drowns the trees as four lines move, the outer pairs at both ends, and the bright double flame becomes a situation under heavy strain. The still third and fourth lines of 28 Excesses give the guidance. The third warns that rushing and ignoring advice leads to loss, since people eventually stop wanting to help. The fourth says those beneath you can offer help at this point, but if you exploit it and the giving and receiving fall out of balance, that support will be pulled back. So the beam can hold, but only with others' help and only if you treat that help fairly. Slow down and listen. Watch for the haste that makes you dismiss counsel, and for taking support for granted. Give back as much as you receive.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 28 Excesses, which stays still
Acting hastily and not listening to advice will lead you to loss, because in the end no one will want to help you.
The ridgepole sags. Misfortune.
- Line 4 of 28 Excesses, which stays still
You can receive help from those under you now, but if you take advantage of it and there's no balance between giving and receiving, they'll withdraw their support and there will be loss.
The ridgepole rises. Good fortune. If there is something else, distress.
- The judgment of 30 The Flame
There's clarity in what you do: your inner self guides you toward your goals. A generous attitude helps you, one that leads you to share your light, and this will increase your gains and achievements.
Constancy is favorable. Success. Raising a cow brings good fortune.
- Line 1 of 30 The Flame
Right now it's important to stay calm and focused on your projects, without getting swept up in the noise around you.
Footsteps crossing every which way. With reverence, no fault.
- Line 2 of 30 The Flame
Perseverance and a connection with what is right, as you follow your inner guidance, will bring you achievement and brilliance.
Yellow radiance. Great good fortune.
- Line 5 of 30 The Flame
After a rise, expect a decline. If you stand firm and understand that this is life's natural rhythm, you'll recover.
Tears pouring down in streams, sighs of sorrow. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 30 The Flame
If you recognize the mistakes in what you've done and make the corrections needed, you'll succeed.
The king sets out on campaign. There is merit: the chief's head is cut off, and the captives are not the chief's own people. No fault.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
28 Excesses → 30 The Flamelines 1, 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of The Flame
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.