What this change means
Clouds rise into the sky as three lines move: strength gathers below, and rain hasn't yet fallen. Hold both judgments together. Increase brings growth, and asks for generosity and integrity. The resulting hexagram, 5 Inaction, says it's time to wait rather than act, though waiting isn't idleness: it's preparation for an active period to come. Keep calm, look honestly at conditions, and stay alert for the right moment. The two meet in patience. Growth can include seasons when the best thing is not to push. Use the waiting to prepare: strengthen your skills, correct a fault, help someone. Enjoy ordinary pleasures and good company without anxiety. Don't fool yourself about how things stand, and don't force events. When the moment comes, the gains of Increase will still be there to build on.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- 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.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 42 Increaselines 2, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Increase
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, and 3
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, and 4
- 1Activitylines 2, 3, and 4
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 1, 3, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 3, and 5
- 35Advancelines 1, 4, and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 2, 4, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 3, 4, and 5
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 4, and 6
- 49Renewallines 3, 4, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 1, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 5, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 3, 5, and 6
- 51Shocklines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.