What this change means
The second and fourth lines move, and the scene turns into Water above Heaven: clouds gathered, rain not yet falling. The fourth line leads, saying the right change at the right moment brings success when it rests on inner certainty and on care for others. The second adds that when nothing else has worked, a deep change is warranted once its day arrives. Both lines lean toward action, yet the resulting hexagram, 5 Inaction, asks you to wait. The two fit together: you know the change is needed and your reasons are good, but its day hasn't fully come. Waiting here isn't standing still. Use the time to prepare for the active period ahead, look at the conditions honestly, stay calm, and keep alert for the signal to move. When it comes, you'll be ready to act without second-guessing yourself.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 49 Renewal
Making the right changes at the right time will bring you success, as long as you rest on an inner certainty and your motives seek not only your own good but the well-being of others too.
Regret vanishes. There is sincere trust: the mandate is changed. Good fortune.
- Line 2 of 49 Renewal
When you've tried several things to solve something and nothing works, it's time for radical change.
When the day has come, the change is made. Setting out brings good fortune. No fault.
- The judgment of 49 Renewal
You're in a time of renewal, like shedding a skin. Open yourself to change and to new ways of doing things. Success lies in taking each step at exactly the right moment, and in weighing what needs to change and what doesn't, what is no longer doing its job. Don't be afraid to let it go: you need to make room for the new to arrive.
When the day has come, there is trust. Great success. Constancy is favorable. Regret vanishes.
- The judgment of 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 49 Renewallines 2 and 4
Other transformations of Renewal
- 28Excesseslines 1 and 2
- 45Meetinglines 1 and 3
- 58Inner Peacelines 2 and 3
- 39Held Backlines 1 and 4
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 3 and 4
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1 and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2 and 5
- 51Shocklines 3 and 5
- 36Darknesslines 4 and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1 and 6
- 1Activitylines 2 and 6
- 25Innocencelines 3 and 6
- 37The Tribelines 4 and 6
- 30The Flamelines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.