What this change means
Four lines move, and the mountain is now hidden inside the earth: greatness kept low. The still second and fourth lines of the resulting hexagram, 15 Simplicity, guide the reading. The second says that doing things from the heart, simply, brings recognition. The fourth says that carrying out your tasks with dedication, without expecting praise, leads to great success. This isn't a time to boast or show off. Keep things simple, act fairly, and your qualities will show and be acknowledged on their own. Increase meets this gracefully. Growth that stays humble tends to be trusted. Don't announce your gains. Let your work speak, done well and wholeheartedly. Share fairly, take from what is plentiful and give to what is scarce. Quiet sincerity is what earns the recognition you aren't chasing.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 15 Simplicity, which stays still
If you do things from the heart and with simplicity, you'll be recognized.
Humility that makes itself heard. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 4 of 15 Simplicity, which stays still
If you carry out your tasks with dedication and without expecting recognition, you'll have great success.
Nothing that is not favorable. Humility spread wide.
- The judgment of 42 Increase
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.
It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- Line 1 of 42 Increase
It's a good moment to carry out important projects.
It is favorable to undertake a great work. Great good fortune. No fault.
- Line 3 of 42 Increase
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.
- Line 5 of 42 Increase
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.
- Line 6 of 42 Increase
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.
- The judgment of 15 Simplicity
This isn't the time to boast or show off. It's time to keep things simple and to make sure you act fairly; your qualities and talents will show on their own and be recognized.
Success. The noble person reaches the end.
The trigrams
The way back
15 Simplicity → 42 Increaselines 1, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Increase
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 7The Armylines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 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.