What this change means
The tension between these two lines tells the story. The fourth, which leads, says the shadows are fading and that wise, decisive action can turn things around. The third remembers the darkest point, where low spirits let any small obstacle stop you. Fire and Thunder become Thunder beneath Earth, a stir of life under the ground. The resulting hexagram, 24 Coming Back, describes return after adversity: people come to help and your projects are favored again. It also carries a warning. Remember what took you into the dark; repeating it could pull you back down. So act now that the light is coming back, but act with the lesson in hand. If discouragement was what stalled you, watch for it; it's the obstacle that tends to return first.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
24 Coming Back → 55 Abundancelines 3 and 4
Other transformations of Abundance
- 32What Lastslines 1 and 2
- 16Passionlines 1 and 3
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2 and 3
- 15Simplicitylines 1 and 4
- 11Well-Beinglines 2 and 4
- 31Attractionlines 1 and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 2 and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 3 and 5
- 63After the Endlines 4 and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 1 and 6
- 14Wealthlines 2 and 6
- 21Bitinglines 3 and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 4 and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.