What this change means
What does good fortune ask of you when it comes early? The fifth and third lines move, heaven gathers below and wind above, and that's the question this reading raises. The fifth line leads: an unexpected gift, deserved, that nothing can block. The third adds companionship: let go of a crowded arrangement and team up with one true ally, who may appear without being sought. The resulting hexagram, 9 Small Things, cautions that the promised success isn't ripe yet. Obstacles remain on the way, so for now take small steps and hold the big move until its moment comes. Don't spend your windfall all at once. Use it with your partner to clear what still stands in the way, and refine the quality of your work while you wait. Decrease's patience is useful here: what you hold back now can become the fuel for the bigger move later.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 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.
- 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 9 Small Things
You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.
Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.
The trigrams
The way back
9 Small Things → 41 Decreaselines 3 and 5
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
- 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.