What this change means
Thunder stirs deep inside the earth as the second and top lines move, the first sign of life returning after a lean season. The top line leads: give generously and without self-interest, add to others without taking from them, and the support you gather grows with every gift. The second line keeps the ground firm: stay steady, avoid rash ventures, and you can help without losing what is yours. The resulting hexagram, 24 Coming Back, describes the return after a dark period. Help will come, and undertakings are favored, but only if you remember the mistakes that led you into the dark and don't repeat them. So let this new beginning be generous and careful at once. Give from a stable base, not from impulse. The restraint that Decrease taught you is what keeps the return from turning into a relapse.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 24 Coming Back
After a period of adversity and darkness, the return comes. Still, be aware of the mistakes that led you into the dark, because if you repeat them you could fall again. People will come to help you, and your undertakings and projects will be favored.
Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends arrive, no fault. Back and forth along its way: in seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
24 Coming Back → 41 Decreaselines 2 and 6
Other transformations of Decrease
- 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
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 4 and 6
- 60Thriftlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.