Transformation · lines 1, 4, and 5
The Vessel of Nourishment becomes Small Things
What this change means
Wind across Heaven, clouds gathering without rain yet: that's the figure when lines one, four and five move. The starting hexagram speaks of change that comes about little by little, kept going by your enthusiasm and your clear sense of what you have to work with. The resulting hexagram, 9 Small Things, says the situation promises success but it isn't time yet; obstacles remain, and for now you can take small actions while waiting for the moment to act more broadly. Balanced, they fit well together. Your transformation is gradual by nature, and the obstacles ask it to stay small a while longer. Keep the flame lit, deal with what's in the way piece by piece, and don't rush the larger move. Refining the details now is part of the cooking.
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 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great good fortune. Success.
- The judgment of 9 Small Things
You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.
Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.
- Line 1 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
The change will happen under conditions that aren't ideal, but it will come to a good end.
The cauldron upended, feet in the air. It is favorable to tip out what has gone stale. A concubine is taken for the sake of her son. No fault.
- Line 4 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
If you stray from your purpose and get involved with the wrong people, you won't succeed.
The cauldron breaks a leg and spills the prince's stew. Its form is drenched. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
Your qualities will carry you to success without your having to prove anything. Naturally, everything will go your way.
The cauldron with yellow ears and a bar of gold. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
9 Small Things → 50 The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 4, and 5
Other transformations of The Vessel of Nourishment
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, and 4
- 41Decreaselines 1, 3, and 4
- 23The Falllines 2, 3, and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, and 5
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 4, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 3, 4, and 5
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 3, and 6
- 16Passionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 4, and 6
- 7The Armylines 3, 4, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 5, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 3, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.