What this change means
The mountain rests on the earth, its top worn thin, as four lines change. Here the counsel comes from the result's unmoving first and fourth lines. The first says your enemies hold power and use any means, even slander, to harm your image; the only thing to do is guard your inner strength until better times arrive. The fourth says adversity is advancing, and it may even reach your body. So 48 Right Action opens onto 23 The Fall, a time when even true words aren't believed and lesser people misuse power. The opportunities of the well are on hold. This isn't the moment to push. Protect yourself, take care of your health, be generous toward those who depend on you, and secure your base. Holding steady while circumstances shift is the wisest use of your resources now.
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 23 The Fall, which stays still
Your enemies have the power now and use any means to damage your image, even slander. All you can do is keep your inner strength and wait for better times.
The bed is stripped at the legs. Constancy is destroyed: misfortune.
- Line 4 of 23 The Fall, which stays still
Adversity is advancing; even your body may be affected.
The bed is stripped down to the skin. Misfortune.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 48 Right Action
You have good qualities for success, but you've grown slack and stopped pushing yourself; this makes it hard to hold on to what you achieve.
Down in the well, shooting at minnows. The jar is broken and leaks.
- Line 3 of 48 Right Action
You aren't using all your talents, and you have many, so the opportunities are there but you don't take them.
The well is cleaned, and no one drinks: my heart aches. Water could be drawn. If the king were clear-sighted, all would share in the blessing.
- Line 5 of 48 Right Action
You recognize the opportunities around you and feel motivated and determined to act, which will bring success.
The well is clear: the cold spring is drunk.
- 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 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.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 48 Right Actionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Right Action
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 16Passionlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.