Transformation · lines 4, 5, and 6

The Vessel of Nourishment becomes Right Action

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

The upper three lines move, and the Fire above becomes Water over Wind: a bucket going down into a well. The cauldron's judgment promises great good fortune to a change that unfolds by itself, if you stay eager and clear about your means. The resulting hexagram, 48 Right Action, warns that opportunities are on your side, but putting off choices means good timing goes to waste; the point is to use what you have. Balanced, they say your knowledge of your resources now has to turn into use. Don't go looking for new ingredients. Cook with the ones in front of you, and cook now. Delay is the main risk. Draw from the well you already have, and the change will feed you and others.

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 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 trigrams

Below Wind stays
Above Fire Water

The way back

48 Right Action → 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
lines 4, 5, and 6

Other transformations of The Vessel of Nourishment

Make your own cast

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

Toss the coins