What this change means
Heaven above, earth below, and the two no longer meet: the first, third and fifth lines move, and the twin flames settle into a standstill. From the starting hexagram you carry a bright, generous light and a clear sense of where you're headed. The resulting hexagram, 12 Decline, describes adverse people and situations around you, and asks you not to get involved with them, whatever they offer. It isn't a good time for big decisions; withdraw to a safe place, keep a low profile, and wait for conditions to change. Weighed in balance, these two say your light is still yours, but now it shines inward. Keep your clarity and integrity without putting them on display. Watch especially for offers from the wrong people. Holding back is how you protect the brightness until the season turns.
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 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.
- The judgment of 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
- 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 3 of 30 The Flame
Don't get swept along by life's ups and downs. Standing firm, centered within yourself whatever the outside circumstances, ensures achievement.
The radiance of the setting sun. If no one beats the clay pot and sings, there comes the lament of great old age. Misfortune.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 30 The Flamelines 1, 3, and 5
Other transformations of The Flame
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, and 3
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, and 4
- 23The Falllines 1, 3, and 4
- 41Decreaselines 2, 3, and 4
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 2, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 3, and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 4, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 4, and 5
- 42Increaselines 3, 4, and 5
- 32What Lastslines 1, 2, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 3, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2, 3, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 4, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 2, 4, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 3, 4, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 1, 5, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 2, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 3, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.