What this change means
The mountain rests on the earth where a lake once did: the fourth, fifth and top lines move, and the gathering meets a time of erosion. Both judgments carry the weight. Meeting favors union, and it also tells you to keep your defenses ready. The resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, describes obstacles and difficulties, a time when even being right doesn't make people believe you, and when people who misuse power gain ground. Don't push ahead. Recognize the time, and be generous toward those who depend on you; that's how you hold on. Here the old image of guarding against the unforeseen becomes urgent. Strengthen the base: the people who are loyal, the resources that hold up. Don't waste energy arguing your case to those who won't hear it. Circumstances will change, and a well-tended foundation will still be there when they do.
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 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.
- The judgment of 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 45 Meetinglines 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Meeting
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, and 4
- 63After the Endlines 1, 3, and 4
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, and 5
- 55Abundancelines 1, 3, and 5
- 32What Lastslines 2, 3, and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 4, and 5
- 7The Armylines 2, 4, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 3, 4, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 3, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 3, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 4, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 4, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 3, 4, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 5, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 5, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 3, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.