What this change means
Fire burns within the lake when three lines move, and Increase sheds its old skin. Each judgment counts the same. Increase is about gain, of moving toward the good and correcting your faults. The resulting hexagram, 49 Renewal, describes a time of deep change: open yourself to new ways of doing things, take each step at the right moment, weigh what needs changing and what doesn't, and let go of what no longer does its job to make room for the new. These fit like stages of one process. Correcting faults on a small scale prepares you for renewal on a large one. Don't cling to forms that have outlived their purpose just because they once brought growth. Change with timing and discernment, not impulse. Let the new arrive through space you've deliberately cleared.
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 49 Renewal
You're in a time of renewal, like shedding a skin. Open yourself to change and to new ways of doing things. Success lies in taking each step at exactly the right moment, and in weighing what needs to change and what doesn't, what is no longer doing its job. Don't be afraid to let it go: you need to make room for the new to arrive.
When the day has come, there is trust. Great success. Constancy is favorable. Regret vanishes.
- 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 4 of 42 Increase
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.
- 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
49 Renewal → 42 Increaselines 3, 4, 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
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 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.