Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Decrease becomes Lack of Firmness
What this change means
Wind now blows beneath heaven, a meeting that comes uninvited, as four lines move. What counts here are the second and top lines of the resulting hexagram, 44 Lack of Firmness, which stay still. The second asks you to recognize the adverse person or condition in your life and keep it in check, with firmness rather than force, so its influence doesn't spread. The top line accepts a cost: keeping your distance from unsuitable people may make you look proud or aloof, and that's still better than getting tangled up with them. Decrease gives you the right tool, which is restraint. Curb the wish to please everyone, and hold back from the habit or relationship you think you can handle. Set limits early and keep them. The danger in this situation lies in underestimating something small, so take it seriously before it starts to take control.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 44 Lack of Firmness, which stays still
You recognize the adverse person or condition in your life. You need to keep it under control, not with violence but with firmness, so its influence doesn't spread.
In the wrapping there is fish. No fault. Not favorable for guests.
- Line 6 of 44 Lack of Firmness, which stays still
Your distance from unsuitable people makes you look proud and aloof, but that's better than getting involved with them.
Meeting with the horns. Distress. No fault.
- The judgment of 41 Decrease
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.
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.
- Line 1 of 41 Decrease
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.
- Line 3 of 41 Decrease
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 4 of 41 Decrease
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 5 of 41 Decrease
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.
- The judgment of 44 Lack of Firmness
You're surrounded by unsuitable people or situations. You know it, but you think you have the power to control them and don't take them very seriously; it may even be a bad habit. If you don't pay attention and set firm limits, they'll take control over you and you won't be able to pull away.
The woman is strong. Do not take her as a wife.
The trigrams
The way back
44 Lack of Firmness → 41 Decreaselines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Decrease
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.