What this change means
Heaven gathers under the wind as the second and third lines move, a build-up of strength that can't be released yet. The third line leads: good fortune surrounds you, and even trouble carries hidden benefit if you act the right way. The second adds that your inner qualities are drawing gains and favors from people in authority. The resulting hexagram, 9 Small Things, applies a gentle brake. Success is promised, but its moment hasn't come. Obstacles remain that you need to resolve, so for now take small steps and save the large-scale action for later. This is growth held in check, not denied. Use the favors you receive to clear the remaining obstacles one by one. Refine your work, polish the details, and keep your conduct correct. When the time ripens, what you've built in small ways will be ready to carry the larger move.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 2 of 42 Increase
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.
- 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.
- 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 → 42 Increaselines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Increase
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 2
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1 and 3
- 12Declinelines 1 and 4
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2 and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 3 and 4
- 23The Falllines 1 and 5
- 41Decreaselines 2 and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 3 and 5
- 21Bitinglines 4 and 5
- 8Unionlines 1 and 6
- 60Thriftlines 2 and 6
- 63After the Endlines 3 and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 4 and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.