Transformation · lines 1, 4, and 6

Right Action becomes Activity

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

The three yielding lines all turn strong, and the figure becomes heaven over heaven. Both judgments count equally. 48 Right Action says the opportunities are on your side, but putting off decisions wastes them, and the point is to use what you already have. The resulting hexagram, 1 Activity, speaks of the creative principle: new beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities needed to carry any project to success. Together they leave no room for hesitation. The low mood at the bottom, the hesitant rethink in the middle, the open well at the top: all of it becomes active strength. You have what you need. Start, and keep going without letting up, the way heaven moves. The well's water is meant to be drawn, and this is the moment to draw it with energy and keep drawing.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. The judgment of 48 Right Action

    You're at a moment when opportunities are on your side. But if you don't know how to use them because you keep putting off decisions and actions, being in the right place at the right time won't do you any good. It's not about looking for new things but about making use of what you have, or there will be loss.

    The town is changed, the well is not. Nothing lost, nothing gained. They come and go, and draw from the well. Nearly there, the rope does not yet reach the well; if the jar breaks, misfortune.

  2. The judgment of 1 Activity

    The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.

    Great success. Constancy is favorable.

  3. Line 1 of 48 Right Action

    Your mood is low, so everything looks bleak to you: you don't see the opportunities and you don't draw help.

    A muddy well: no one drinks. No birds come to the old well.

  4. Line 4 of 48 Right Action

    It's time to rethink and focus on the opportunities. If you focus on action and use your talents, you'll succeed.

    The well is lined with brick. No fault.

  5. Line 6 of 48 Right Action

    You have all the talents and abilities to act and seize the moment, and you also want to contribute to those around you: there will be success.

    Water is drawn from the well: do not cover it. There is sincere trust. Great good fortune.

The trigrams

Below Wind Heaven
Above Water Heaven

The way back

1 Activity → 48 Right Action
lines 1, 4, and 6

Other transformations of Right Action

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins