What this change means
Thunder stirs inside the earth: the first, third and top lines move, and both judgments share the weight. Abiding asks you to stop, stay centered and wait for the signal from outside. The resulting hexagram, 24 Coming Back, describes the return after a dark or adverse stretch: help arrives and projects are favored, though you need to remember the mistakes that led you astray, or you could fall again. Together, they describe a rest that ends in renewal. The stillness gave you time to see what went wrong. Now, as movement returns, take it slowly and don't repeat the old errors. Accept the help that comes, and let the new start grow from what you learned while still. Return is gentler when it isn't hurried.
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 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
- The judgment of 24 Coming Back
After a period of adversity and darkness, the return comes. Still, be aware of the mistakes that led you into the dark, because if you repeat them you could fall again. People will come to help you, and your undertakings and projects will be favored.
Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends arrive, no fault. Back and forth along its way: in seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 1 of 52 Abiding
Better to stop too soon than to take ill-advised steps.
Still the toes. No fault. Lasting constancy is favorable.
- Line 3 of 52 Abiding
The stillness you need now can't be forced. It has to come from a calm heart and unhurried breathing.
Still the waist; the flesh along the spine is torn. Danger: the heart is smothered.
- Line 6 of 52 Abiding
There's perfect stillness, an inner calm that lets you master what's outside. Success.
Deep stillness. Good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
24 Coming Back → 52 Abidinglines 1, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Abiding
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, and 3
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, and 4
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, and 4
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, and 5
- 42Increaselines 1, 3, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 4, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 4, and 5
- 12Declinelines 3, 4, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 7The Armylines 2, 3, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 1, 4, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 2, 4, and 6
- 16Passionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 5, and 6
- 8Unionlines 3, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.