What this change means
Mountain on mountain: four lines move, the three upper ones and the third, and two lines that remain at rest in the resulting hexagram, 52 Abiding, carry the message. The first says it's better to stop too soon than to take ill-advised steps. The second says the only stopping you control is your own; you can't make others halt where they should. The resulting hexagram describes stillness, staying centered and steady, waiting calmly until outer conditions show it's time to act. Coming from Meeting, the gathering comes to a halt. You may want to keep the group moving, or keep pushing someone toward you. Don't. Stop where you are, gently, and let others make their own choices. Calm stillness is the right move now, not a defeat. When the time to act returns, the signs will show you, and you'll be ready.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 52 Abiding, which stays still
Better to stop too soon than to take ill-advised steps.
Still the toes. No fault. Lasting constancy is favorable.
- Line 2 of 52 Abiding, which stays still
Right now you can only see to stopping yourself in the right place; you can't make sure others do the same.
Still the calves. It cannot come to the aid of what it follows; the heart is not glad.
- The judgment of 45 Meeting
A very favorable situation is coming, with everything ready for you to take the next step toward your goals. You can ask for help and meet with those who will support you. It's a time to take on important things, do some kind of spiritual practice, and prepare in case anything unexpected happens.
Success. The king comes to his temple. It is favorable to see the great person. Success. Constancy is favorable. Offering large animals brings good fortune. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 3 of 45 Meeting
You're trying to meet with people who aren't willing. If you look for someone who can bring you closer to that group, you'll get help.
Gathering, sighing. Nothing is favorable. Going: no fault. Small distress.
- Line 4 of 45 Meeting
When you act without selfish aims and on behalf of someone above you, you're rewarded.
Great good fortune. No fault.
- Line 5 of 45 Meeting
You meet like-minded people, but also people who are somewhat wary of you. It's important to win their trust to reach your goals.
Gathering in one's place. No fault. Where there is no trust, a great and lasting constancy: regret vanishes.
- Line 6 of 45 Meeting
You're trying to join someone who doesn't want to join you. Letting your sorrow show may make them reconsider, and you'll get what you want.
Sighs and laments, tears and a running nose. No fault.
- The judgment of 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
52 Abiding → 45 Meetinglines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Meeting
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.