What this change means
Thunder under a mountain, the shape of an open mouth: as the third and fourth lines move, the question becomes what you feed on. The fourth line leads with its warning about sudden flare-ups that die as quickly as they come, a rise that won't last without inner strength behind it. The third line, at the setting sun, asks you not to be thrown by life's ups and downs but to stay centered, whatever the outside conditions. The resulting hexagram, 27 Nourishment, turns the focus to physical and spiritual nourishment: having the resources you need in each area, and helping others grow through what you do. So the steadiness these lines ask for comes from what you take in. Feed yourself well, in body and spirit, and share it. A flame with good fuel burns evenly; one without it leaps and fails.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 30 The Flame
A quick rise, unless your inner strength and steadiness feed it, will be short-lived.
Suddenly, so it comes: blazing, dying, cast away.
- 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.
- 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 27 Nourishment
Right now you need to take care of your physical and spiritual nourishment, so you have the resources you need in each area, and at the same time help others grow through what you do. Success lies in giving and receiving: take in what is good for you and share it with those around you.
Constancy brings good fortune. Watching the jaws; seeking for oneself what fills the mouth.
The trigrams
The way back
27 Nourishment → 30 The Flamelines 3 and 4
Other transformations of The Flame
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1 and 2
- 35Advancelines 1 and 3
- 38Oppositeslines 2 and 3
- 52Abidinglines 1 and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 2 and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1 and 5
- 1Activitylines 2 and 5
- 25Innocencelines 3 and 5
- 37The Tribelines 4 and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1 and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2 and 6
- 51Shocklines 3 and 6
- 36Darknesslines 4 and 6
- 49Renewallines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.