What this change means
The fifth line leads and the third follows, and the result is Earth below Heaven, two forces that no longer meet. The fifth sees gains for anyone who enjoys a fleeting opportunity and uses it well. The third cautions that harshness, the loss of your usual kindness, is what invites harm. The resulting hexagram, 12 Decline, describes a closed time, surrounded by adverse people and situations, when it's better to withdraw, keep a low profile, and not get involved, no matter what's offered. So take what good the moment brings, quietly. Don't let frustration turn into anger, which would only expose you more. Keep your kindness and your distance. Avoid entanglements, decide nothing big, and wait for the conditions to change. A calm, gracious traveler passes through hostile ground more safely than an angry one.
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 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 → 56 The Travelerlines 3 and 5
Other transformations of The Traveler
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 2
- 21Bitinglines 1 and 3
- 64Transitionlines 2 and 3
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 and 4
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2 and 4
- 23The Falllines 3 and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1 and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2 and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 4 and 5
- 55Abundancelines 1 and 6
- 32What Lastslines 2 and 6
- 16Passionlines 3 and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 4 and 6
- 31Attractionlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.