Hexagram 42

Increase

In practice

The judgment

You're in a time of gain and growth: your projects will grow and prosper. At times like this it's important to keep your inner integrity, follow the example of people who have the qualities you want to gain, and get rid of the traits that have caused you trouble before. Overall, it's a time of achievement and generosity.

The poetry

Increase

It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to cross the great river.

The image

Wind and thunder: increase. So the noble person, seeing the good, moves toward it, and having faults, corrects them.

The lines

  1. Line 6上九

    If you become selfish, hoard your achievements and gains for yourself alone, and don't watch your words, this time of growth won't last long.

    No one adds to it; someone strikes it. The heart is set, but without steadiness. Misfortune.

  2. Line 5九五

    A generous, kind heart is sure to receive help and blessings from heaven.

    There is sincere trust and a kind heart: do not ask. Great good fortune. There is sincere trust: my virtue is met with kindness.

  3. Line 4六四

    This is a time when you can mediate between those below and those above; your generosity draws blessings from everyone.

    Walking the middle way; speaks to the duke and is followed. It is favorable to rely on this to move the capital.

  4. Line 3六三

    Good fortune surrounds you: even in situations that might seem hard, there are hidden blessings. What matters is doing things the right way.

    Increased through unhappy events. No fault. There is sincere trust; walking the middle way, they come before the duke with the jade tablet.

  5. Line 2六二

    Your inner qualities are rewarded with gains and favors from people in power.

    Someone adds to it: a tortoise worth ten strings of shells cannot go against it. Lasting constancy brings good fortune. The king makes an offering to the Lord on High: good fortune.

  6. Line 1初九

    It's a good moment to carry out important projects.

    It is favorable to undertake a great work. Great good fortune. No fault.

Its 63 transformations

Depending on which lines move in your cast, Increase turns into another hexagram. Pick the lines from your cast.

One moving line

6

Two moving lines

15

Three moving lines

20

Four moving lines

15

Five moving lines

6

All six lines moving

1

The classical text

益:利有攸往。利涉大川。

象曰:風雷,益;君子以見善則遷,有過則改。

初九:利用為大作,元吉,无咎。

六二:或益之,十朋之龜弗克違,永貞吉。王用享于帝,吉。

六三:益之用凶事,无咎。有孚中行,告公用圭。

六四:中行,告公從。利用為依遷國。

九五:有孚惠心,勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。

上九:莫益之,或擊之,立心勿恆,凶。

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Have a question? Toss the coins