What this change means
Thunder and lightning arrive together where the lake and mountain once stood, with four lines in motion. The reading rests on the still first and fifth lines of the resulting hexagram, 55 Abundance. The first says the time is very favorable but asks for determined, energetic action to make the results greater. The fifth says that your willingness to hear advice and act on it lets difficult situations give way on their own. After a season of saving, fullness is near. Don't meet it passively: put your energy in while the moment is ripe. Stay open to counsel, since good advice now smooths the way. Abundance also has its own rhythm. It lasts for a while and then wanes, and the restraint Decrease taught you helps you enjoy it without clinging, and stay calm and cheerful when it eases. Act fully, listen well, hold lightly.
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 55 Abundance, which stays still
It's a very favorable time, but it asks for determined, energetic action from you to make the results greater.
Meets the lord who is its match. Even for ten days, no fault. Going earns esteem.
- Line 5 of 55 Abundance, which stays still
You're willing to listen to advice and act on it; this will make difficult situations give way naturally.
Brilliance comes; there is blessing and renown. Good fortune.
- 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 2 of 41 Decrease
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 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 6 of 41 Decrease
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.
- The judgment of 55 Abundance
You're growing toward a period of satisfaction and abundance. It will last for a while, and when it ends, stay calm, without sadness or worry. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it wanes, keep your spirits up and enjoy what you've achieved.
Success. The king reaches it. Do not grieve: the noonday sun is fitting.
The trigrams
The way back
55 Abundance → 41 Decreaselines 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Decrease
- 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
- 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.