What this change means
Four lines change, from the base up through the fourth, and a lake now lies at the foot of the mountain. What stays fixed in the resulting hexagram, 41 Decrease, are the fifth and sixth lines, and they guide the reading. The fifth says lucky chances can come unexpectedly, like a gift, because you've earned them. The sixth says you're in a position to help others generously and without self-interest, and the more you do, the more blessings tend to follow. From the light, wandering life of The Traveler, this moves toward restraint and saving, conserving energy and resources while you prepare. So spend little on yourself and give where it counts. Generosity and moderation go together here, and good fortune tends to reach those who practice both.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 41 Decrease, which stays still
Lucky chances will come unexpectedly, like a gift from heaven, because you've earned them.
Someone adds to it: a tortoise worth ten strings of shells cannot go against it. Great good fortune.
- Line 6 of 41 Decrease, which stays still
You're in a position to help others generously and selflessly. The more you do it, the more blessings from heaven will come.
Without taking from it, it is added to. No fault. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Gains servants who have no house of their own.
- The judgment of 56 The Traveler
It's a time of small achievements. Keep a light, flexible attitude. You may be facing a period of change, new places or situations that ask you to adapt while they settle: let go of attachments and be gracious as you make new connections and your situation takes hold.
Small success. For the traveler, constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 1 of 56 The Traveler
It's a time to act with dignity and focus on what really matters right now. Relaxing too much and not taking things seriously will bring trouble.
The traveler, small and niggling: so disaster is brought on.
- Line 2 of 56 The Traveler
You carry with you the resources you need to be secure wherever you are and whatever comes up. You'll draw help from simple, capable people.
The traveler reaches the inn, carries their goods close, and gains a young servant who is loyal.
- Line 3 of 56 The Traveler
If you lose your kindness now and turn irritable and aggressive, you'll bring on trouble.
The traveler burns down the inn and loses the young servant. Constancy is in danger.
- Line 4 of 56 The Traveler
Even though you can gain material rewards and comfort, avoid living in constant distrust and worry.
The traveler finds a place to stay and gets their goods and their axe. My heart is not glad.
- The judgment of 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
The trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 56 The Travelerlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of The Traveler
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 42Increaselines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 7The Armylines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 8Unionlines 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.