Transformation · lines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Abundance becomes Gradual Progress
What this change means
A tree on the mountain takes shape as four lines change, the first and the three upper ones. Untouched by the change are the second and third lines, and in the resulting hexagram, 53 Gradual Progress, they frame the reading. The second promises an early, modest win on the way, enough to pause and regain strength. The third warns that if you try to hurry things instead of letting them unfold at their own pace, your progress can fail. After Abundance, the lesson is about speed. Growth now comes in stages, and each one makes the next more stable. Welcome the modest win, take the rest it offers, and resist the itch to jump ahead. One rung at a time is the fastest safe way up.
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 53 Gradual Progress, which stays still
You'll have a first success as you move forward. Nothing spectacular, but it will let you rest and recharge to keep going.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the boulder. It eats and drinks with joy. Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 53 Gradual Progress, which stays still
If you don't let things unfold at their own pace and try to hurry them, your progress will fail.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the high plain. The husband marches off and does not return; the wife conceives and does not give birth. Misfortune. It is favorable to fend off raiders.
- 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 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 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 53 Gradual Progress
You'll make progress, and it will come step by step, gradually, through stages that make it lasting and stable. Trying to speed things up will bring delays and obstacles. Keep at it, one rung at a time.
The woman goes to be married: good fortune. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
53 Gradual Progress → 55 Abundancelines 1, 4, 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
- 12Declinelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 3, 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.