What this change means
Heaven over Heaven: the second, fourth, fifth and top lines move, and all of the dark becomes strong light. Yet the first and third lines of the resulting hexagram, 1 Activity, stay still, and they temper the change. The first says it's not yet time to act. The third observes that things are working, yet you worry for no clear reason. Coming from Darkness, this is creative strength arriving before you're quite ready to use it. Let it build. Don't launch yet, and don't let leftover anxiety from the hard time spoil what's going well. Rest, prepare, and stay alert. Watch for worry that has outlived its cause. The new beginning is real; the timing just asks for a little more patience.
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 1 Activity, which stays still
It's not yet time to act.
A dragon under the water. Do not act.
- Line 3 of 1 Activity, which stays still
Things are working, yet you worry for no apparent reason.
The noble person strives and strives all day long, and at nightfall is still watchful. Danger. No fault.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 36 Darkness
Difficulties are growing and circumstances affect you directly, but your firm resolve, acting for a greater good, and contributing as you're able will lead you to victory.
The wounded light: wounded in the left thigh. Rescued with a strong horse. Good fortune.
- Line 4 of 36 Darkness
You'll be allowed to see the causes of the hard situations you're facing. This will help you act quickly and withdraw to safe ground before adversity takes complete control.
It enters the left side of the belly; it reaches the heart of the wounded light and goes out through the courtyard gate.
- Line 5 of 36 Darkness
For now you can't withdraw to better circumstances, so you have to stay where you are, with your mind fixed on your goal and a low profile so you don't draw attention.
The wounded light of Jizi. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 6 of 36 Darkness
If you keep persevering, quietly and without drawing attention, the bad situations and the people behind them will fall under their own weight.
No light, darkness. First it climbs to heaven; later it goes into the earth.
- The judgment of 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
1 Activity → 36 Darknesslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Darkness
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 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.