What this change means
Earth below and Mountain above: four lines move, and the bright, stirring figure is stripped down. In the resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, the second and fifth lines are the ones that didn't move, so they speak first. The second says resources and help aren't enough right now, and all you can do is wait for better conditions. The fifth says unexpected help will come and put you in a favorable position. After the fullness of Abundance, this is a lean, exposed time. Your words may not be believed, and pushing ahead won't help. Hold on, be generous toward those who depend on you, and don't force anything. The still lines suggest the waiting won't be empty. Help can arrive from an unexpected direction, and when it does, accept it.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 23 The Fall, which stays still
Resources and help aren't enough right now. All you can do is wait for better conditions.
The bed is stripped at the frame. Constancy is destroyed: misfortune.
- Line 5 of 23 The Fall, which stays still
You'll receive unexpected help that puts you in a favorable position.
Fish strung in a row: favor like that of the palace ladies. Nothing that is not favorable.
- The judgment of 55 Abundance
You're growing toward a period of satisfaction and abundance. It will last for a while, and when it ends, stay calm, without sadness or worry. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it wanes, keep your spirits up and enjoy what you've achieved.
Success. The king reaches it. Do not grieve: the noonday sun is fitting.
- Line 1 of 55 Abundance
It's a very favorable time, but it asks for determined, energetic action from you to make the results greater.
Meets the lord who is its match. Even for ten days, no fault. Going earns esteem.
- Line 3 of 55 Abundance
If your spirits sink, any obstacle, however small, will stop you from reaching what you want.
Full is the curtain: at noon the faint small stars are seen. The right arm is broken. No fault.
- Line 4 of 55 Abundance
The shadows and obstacles that came up for a while are beginning to fade. If you act wisely and decisively, everything will go well.
Full is the awning: at noon the Dipper is seen. Meets the lord who is its like. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 55 Abundance
Your pride may get in the way of what you want and delay your success.
Full is the house, the home screened over. Peering through the door: silence, no one there. For three years no one is seen. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 55 Abundancelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Abundance
- 7The Armylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 8Unionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 42Increaselines 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.