In practice
The judgment
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
The poetry
Decrease
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
The image
A lake at the foot of the mountain: decrease. So the noble person curbs anger and holds back desire.
The lines
- Line 6上九
You're in a position to help others generously and selflessly. The more you do it, the more blessings from heaven will come.
Without taking from it, it is added to. No fault. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Gains servants who have no house of their own.
- Line 5六五
Lucky chances will come unexpectedly, like a gift from heaven, because you've earned them.
Someone adds to it: a tortoise worth ten strings of shells cannot go against it. Great good fortune.
- Line 4六四
If you work on improving yourself, you'll raise your vibration and also draw people in tune with it.
Lessens the ailment; let joy come quickly. No fault.
- Line 3六三
A good moment to team up with another person, just one. If you don't know whom to team up with, the ally will come on their own.
When three walk together, one is lost; when one walks alone, they find a companion.
- Line 2九二
Without having to give up any of what you have, it's a good moment to help others.
Constancy is favorable. Setting out brings misfortune. Without taking from it, it is added to.
- Line 1初九
Once your tasks are done, this is a time when you can use your time and energy to help others, as long as they ask for that help.
When the work is done, go quickly. No fault. Weigh how much to take away.
Its 63 transformations
Depending on which lines move in your cast, Decrease turns into another hexagram. Pick the lines from your cast.
One moving line
6
Two moving lines
15
- 23The Falllines 1 and 2
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1 and 3
- 22Good Mannerslines 2 and 3
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 4
- 21Bitinglines 2 and 4
- 14Wealthlines 3 and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 5
- 42Increaselines 2 and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 3 and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 4 and 5
- 7The Armylines 1 and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 4 and 6
- 60Thriftlines 5 and 6
Three moving lines
20
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, and 4
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 4
- 30The Flamelines 2, 3, and 4
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 3, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 1, 4, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 2, 4, and 5
- 1Activitylines 3, 4, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 1, 3, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 2, 3, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 4, and 6
- 51Shocklines 2, 4, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 3, 4, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 3, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 4, 5, and 6
Four moving lines
15
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Five moving lines
6
All six lines moving
1
The classical text
損：有孚，元吉。无咎，可貞，利有攸往。曷之用？二簋可用享。
象曰：山下有澤，損；君子以懲忿窒欲。
初九：已事遄往，无咎，酌損之。
九二：利貞，征凶，弗損益之。
六三：三人行，則損一人；一人行，則得其友。
六四：損其疾，使遄有喜，无咎。
六五：或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，元吉。
上九：弗損益之，无咎，貞吉，利有攸往，得臣无家。
Related hexagrams
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.