What this change means
Thunder settles into the middle of the lake as four lines change. The reading rests on the still first and third lines of the resulting hexagram, 17 Adapting. The first says that yielding, listening and accepting opinions different from yours will lead to success. The third says that people or situations that weren't good for you are moving away, and asks you not to regret it, because this makes room for what is new and right for you. This is a time both to lead and to follow, to find the place life is asking you to take and act genuinely from there. Decrease prepared you to let go, and here letting go happens almost on its own. Don't hold on to what is leaving. Listen more than you argue. Flexibility now isn't weakness; it's how you gain both support and the trust to lead.
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 17 Adapting, which stays still
Being able to yield, listen and accept opinions different from yours will lead you to success.
The post changes. Constancy brings good fortune. Going out the gate to deal with others bears fruit.
- Line 3 of 17 Adapting, which stays still
People or situations that weren't good for you are moving away. Don't regret it: this clears the way for what is new and right for you to come closer.
Cling to the grown man, lose the boy. Following, what is sought is found. Abiding in constancy is favorable.
- 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 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.
- 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 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 41 Decreaselines 2, 4, 5, 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
- 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
- 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.