What this change means
Earth forms below and Lake above as four lines move: a lake rising over the land, where many gather. Here the weight falls on the lines that don't change. The first describes knowing you should meet with people who'd back you, yet hesitating; once you make up your mind and act, help comes. The fifth says you'll meet like-minded people and also some who are wary of you, and that winning their trust matters for your goals. The resulting hexagram, 45 Meeting, describes a very favorable situation, with everything ready for the next step: ask for help, gather your supporters, take on important things, and prepare for the unexpected. Hesitation is the only thing in the way. Reach out, and earn the trust of the doubtful.
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 45 Meeting, which stays still
You know you need to meet with people who will support you, but you're unsure whether to do it. If you finally make up your mind and act, you'll get help.
There is sincere trust, but not to the end: now disorder, now gathering. If you cry out, one clasp of the hand and laughter returns. Do not worry. Going: no fault.
- Line 5 of 45 Meeting, which stays still
You meet like-minded people, but also people who are somewhat wary of you. It's important to win their trust to reach your goals.
Gathering in one's place. No fault. Where there is no trust, a great and lasting constancy: regret vanishes.
- The judgment of 57 Gentleness
It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.
Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.
- Line 2 of 57 Gentleness
You're being held back by dark forces you can't identify. So it's wise to turn to people who, through magical practices, can help you move forward.
Yielding beneath the bed. Scribes and diviners are called in great numbers. Good fortune. No fault.
- Line 3 of 57 Gentleness
Thinking about what to do without making up your mind to do what needs doing will only delay your success.
Yielding again and again. Distress.
- Line 4 of 57 Gentleness
You're able to act as the situation requires, so go ahead, without haste but without delay, and you'll succeed.
Regret vanishes. In the hunt, three kinds of game are taken.
- Line 6 of 57 Gentleness
If you lose heart and drop the project because you don't see results yet, you'll lose what you've gained.
Yielding beneath the bed. Loses goods and axe. Even with constancy, misfortune.
- The judgment of 45 Meeting
A very favorable situation is coming, with everything ready for you to take the next step toward your goals. You can ask for help and meet with those who will support you. It's a time to take on important things, do some kind of spiritual practice, and prepare in case anything unexpected happens.
Success. The king comes to his temple. It is favorable to see the great person. Success. Constancy is favorable. Offering large animals brings good fortune. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
45 Meeting → 57 Gentlenesslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Gentleness
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 35Advancelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 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.