What this change means
Earth replaces Wind beneath Heaven as the third and second lines move, and heaven and earth stop meeting. The third leads, naming a temptation: you recognize the adverse people or conditions, yet you're inclined to let them influence you, and it will take great effort to push them aside. The second offers the method, which is to keep them firmly in check, without violence, so their influence doesn't spread. Lack of Firmness is the background, the risk of treating harmful things too lightly. The resulting hexagram, 12 Decline, describes being surrounded by adverse people and situations, and asks you not to get involved whatever they offer, to withdraw to safety and wait for conditions to change. So keep a low profile. Turn down tempting offers from the wrong quarter, hold your boundaries steadily, and don't make big decisions until things improve.
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 44 Lack of Firmness
You know adverse conditions or people exist and you can recognize them, but you're tempted to let them influence you. It will take a great effort to set them aside.
Buttocks without skin; the walk falters. Danger. No great fault.
- Line 2 of 44 Lack of Firmness
You recognize the adverse person or condition in your life. You need to keep it under control, not with violence but with firmness, so its influence doesn't spread.
In the wrapping there is fish. No fault. Not favorable for guests.
- The judgment of 44 Lack of Firmness
You're surrounded by unsuitable people or situations. You know it, but you think you have the power to control them and don't take them very seriously; it may even be a bad habit. If you don't pay attention and set firm limits, they'll take control over you and you won't be able to pull away.
The woman is strong. Do not take her as a wife.
- The judgment of 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
The trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 44 Lack of Firmnesslines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Lack of Firmness
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1 and 2
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1 and 3
- 9Small Thingslines 1 and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2 and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 3 and 4
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 2 and 5
- 64Transitionlines 3 and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 4 and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1 and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2 and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 3 and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 4 and 6
- 32What Lastslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.