What this change means
A bird with a wounded light lowers its wings in flight: that's the first line, and as it moves, the Fire beneath the Earth becomes Mountain. Pushing ahead right now tends to show you only obstacles. The line doesn't tell you to give up, though. It asks you to keep to the right path, the one your heart sets you on, without losing sight of your goal, going as far as conditions allow. Expect some hunger on the road and some grumbling from the people around you. The resulting hexagram, 15 Simplicity, shapes how to travel: no boasting, no display, just plain conduct and fairness. Your qualities will show on their own when the time comes. So fold your wings, keep moving quietly, and let modesty protect you. Watch for the urge to prove yourself in a moment that won't reward it.
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 36 Darkness
Trying to move ahead right now will only show you obstacles. Keep persevering on the right path, the one your heart moves you along, without straying from your goal and advancing as far as you can.
The wounded light, in flight, lowers its wings. The noble person is on the road: three days without eating. There is somewhere to go; the host grumbles.
- The judgment of 36 Darkness
It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.
Constancy in hardship is favorable.
- The judgment of 15 Simplicity
This isn't the time to boast or show off. It's time to keep things simple and to make sure you act fairly; your qualities and talents will show on their own and be recognized.
Success. The noble person reaches the end.
The trigrams
The way back
15 Simplicity → 36 Darknessline 1
Other transformations of Darkness
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.