What this change means
Thunder below and Fire above: with the three lower lines and the top line moving, What Lasts becomes 21 Biting, a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles and set limits, even legal action if it comes to that. With four lines changing, the still lines of the new figure point the way. The fourth acknowledges difficulties that feel overwhelming, and asks you to stay resolute and get past them one at a time. The fifth says that when you correct mistakes others have made, being steady and impartial brings results. So endurance here has teeth. Don't let obstacles or other people's errors stall you, and don't let anger make you unfair either. Act with energy, judge evenly, and keep biting through until the way is clear.
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 21 Biting, which stays still
You're in a time of great difficulties that feel overwhelming, but stay firm and resolute in the face of adversity, overcoming the obstacles one by one.
Biting dried meat on the bone, finding a metal arrowhead. Constancy in hardship is favorable. Good fortune.
- Line 5 of 21 Biting, which stays still
When you correct mistakes others have made, be steady and impartial, and you'll get results.
Biting dried meat, finding yellow gold. Constancy is in danger. No fault.
- The judgment of 32 What Lasts
This moment asks you for action, not stillness. It asks you to have clear goals to head toward and to act in line with them. That way you'll achieve things, and your achievements will keep growing and will last.
Success. No fault. Constancy is favorable. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 1 of 32 What Lasts
Don't expect extraordinary achievements when you're only just starting to move in the right direction.
Digging deep into duration. Even with constancy, misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
- Line 2 of 32 What Lasts
Right now your enthusiasm and passion are greater than outside circumstances. Staying that way will gradually overcome the stillness and move you toward success.
Regret vanishes.
- Line 3 of 32 What Lasts
If you let outside circumstances grow bigger than your dreams and projects, they'll end up gaining power over you.
Not making one's virtue last; perhaps shame will follow. Constancy brings distress.
- Line 6 of 32 What Lasts
If you're always acting without giving yourself time to reflect and rest, you'll end up exhausted and stuck.
Shaking duration. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
The trigrams
The way back
21 Biting → 32 What Lastslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
Other transformations of What Lasts
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 8Unionlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 23The Falllines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 59Release from 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.