Transformation · lines 2, 3, 4, and 6
The Vessel of Nourishment becomes Passivity
What this change means
Earth, twice: four lines move, and the vessel settles into wide, receptive ground. The two lines of the resulting hexagram, 2 Passivity, that stay put carry the meaning. The first warns that things can decline without anyone noticing, so it's time to take precautions before the decline becomes total. The fifth says success now depends on acting with reserve; your light shines from within. So the change you've been cooking calls for quiet watchfulness. Look for small signs of slippage and deal with them early. Don't try to lead or display what you're doing. Let others take the initiative while you keep your projects going patiently. The inner flame still matters, but it's meant to warm from within, not to be seen from far off.
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 2 Passivity, which stays still
Things can decline without anyone noticing. It's time to take precautions so the decline doesn't become total.
Frost underfoot. Firm ice is on its way.
- Line 5 of 2 Passivity, which stays still
Right now success depends on acting with reserve. Your light shines from within.
A yellow skirt. Great good fortune.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
If you do things the right way, don't fear the envy your achievements stir up.
The cauldron is full. My rival is ill and cannot come near me. Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
For now you're in a place where your talents and qualities aren't recognized. There's nothing to worry about: if you stay true to yourself and act with integrity, success will come in the end.
The ears of the cauldron are altered; its going is blocked. The pheasant fat is not eaten. When the rain comes, regret wanes. In the end, good fortune.
- 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 6 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
Your actions will be richly rewarded. Success in your projects: you find human favor and divine help.
The cauldron with a bar of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that is not favorable.
- The judgment of 2 Passivity
This is not the time to take the initiative to achieve things. It's better to let others guide you and to keep at your projects with patience.
Great success. The constancy of a mare is favorable. The noble person has somewhere to go: going ahead, they lose the way; following behind, they find someone to guide them. It is favorable to find friends in the southwest and to lose them in the northeast. Calm constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
2 Passivity → 50 The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of The Vessel of Nourishment
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 20Observinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 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.