What this change means
Earth below, Heaven above, and the two no longer meet: four lines move, the first, third, fifth and sixth. Two unmoving lines, the second and fourth of 12 Decline, give the guidance here. The second says that even surrounded by adverse people and situations, keeping your strength inside helps you get through. The fourth says that acting genuinely and with integrity will see you through any situation and bring a reward. Coming from Abundance, this is a sharp turn toward a closed time. Avoid getting involved with the wrong people, whatever they offer. Keep a low profile and don't make big decisions now. Protect your inner core, act honestly in small things, and wait for the conditions to change. Integrity kept quietly is what carries over into better days.
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 12 Decline, which stays still
Even when adverse people and situations surround you, keeping your strength inside helps you get through this moment.
Embracing and obeying. For the petty person, good fortune; for the great person, stagnation. Success.
- Line 4 of 12 Decline, which stays still
If you act genuinely and with inner integrity, you'll come out of any situation well and be rewarded.
There is a mandate. No fault. Companions share in the blessing.
- 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 5 of 55 Abundance
You're willing to listen to advice and act on it; this will make difficult situations give way naturally.
Brilliance comes; there is blessing and renown. 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 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
The trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 55 Abundancelines 1, 3, 5, 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
- 23The Falllines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 2, 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.