What this change means
Water on the earth takes shape as the upper four lines move. The first and second lines stay unchanged, and in the resulting hexagram, 8 Union, they give the counsel. The first says the right help will come. The second says that when you speak sincerely about what you need, you'll receive it. Coming from The Traveler, where you move among strangers, this is a time to join with people who share your aim and can support you. Say plainly what you need; don't hint or hope others will guess. It also matters that you bring the qualities your project requires, so look honestly at your own part. Sincere asking and real readiness make the alliance hold. Help tends to find those who name it clearly.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 8 Union, which stays still
The right help will come.
There is sincere trust: join with them. No fault. Sincere trust fills the earthen jar; in the end something more arrives. Good fortune.
- Line 2 of 8 Union, which stays still
When you speak sincerely about what you need from others, you'll receive the right help.
Joining from within. Constancy brings good fortune.
- 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 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.
- Line 5 of 56 The Traveler
If you can enjoy this passing situation and make the most of it, you'll achieve things.
Shoots a pheasant; one arrow is lost. In the end, renown and a mandate.
- Line 6 of 56 The Traveler
If you relax too much, forgetting that you're only passing through, and stop tending to your ultimate purpose, you'll run into problems.
The bird burns its nest. The traveler laughs first and wails aloud after. Loses the ox at Yi. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 8 Union
Right now success lies in joining with people who are aligned with your project and who are a support for you. But it's important that you, too, have the qualities needed to carry it out; that's why you can toss the coins once more to find out whether you have those qualities.
Good fortune. Consult the oracle again: great and lasting constancy. No fault. The restless come from every side. The one who comes late: misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
8 Union → 56 The Travelerlines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of The Traveler
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.