What this change means
Heaven and Earth stop meeting when the second, third, fifth and top lines move: What Lasts becomes 12 Decline. You're surrounded by adverse people and situations, and the counsel is to avoid them whatever they offer, withdraw to a safe place and keep a low profile until conditions change. With four lines changing, two still lines of the resulting hexagram speak. The first says that recognizing the decline and withdrawing in time, while warning others, leads to success later. The fourth says that acting genuinely and with inner integrity lets you come through any situation well. So persistence takes the form of patience and integrity. Step back early, tell those who need to know, and keep your conduct clean. Your goals don't disappear; they wait for a better season.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 12 Decline, which stays still
If you recognize the decline and withdraw in time, warning others about it, you'll succeed later on.
The grass is pulled up, and its tangled roots come too, each with its clump. Constancy brings good fortune. Success.
- Line 4 of 12 Decline, which stays still
If you act genuinely and with inner integrity, you'll come out of any situation well and be rewarded.
There is a mandate. No fault. Companions share in the blessing.
- 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 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 5 of 32 What Lasts
Right now your achievements will depend on your ability to be bold and open yourself to new paths.
Making one's virtue last, with constancy. For the wife, good fortune; for the husband, misfortune.
- 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 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.
The trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 32 What Lastslines 2, 3, 5, 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
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 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
- 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.