What this change means
The two upper lines move, and the Water above becomes Mountain: a lake at the mountain's foot, 41 Decrease. The top line leads. Some exceptional times call for limits that seem extreme, and this is one of them, but don't keep them up too long. The fifth line tempers it: accept the restrictions for yourself as well as for others, and what's bitter can become sweet; that leads to success. Together they speak of a hard measure carried fairly and for a limited time. The resulting hexagram confirms it: this is a time for moderation and saving, for conserving resources and energy and avoiding excess of every kind. Growth will follow later. Share the burden, don't exempt yourself, and set an end point for the strictest measures so they don't become a permanent state.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 60 Thrift
There are times when restrictions that seem extreme are called for. This is an exceptional time and it needs that kind of behavior, but don't keep it up too long.
Bitter measure. Even with constancy, misfortune. Regret vanishes.
- Line 5 of 60 Thrift
Accept the restrictions of the moment for yourself too, not only for others; this will lead you to success.
Sweet measure. Good fortune. Going earns esteem.
- The judgment of 60 Thrift
It's a time to conserve your time, energy and resources so you're ready for what lies ahead. If you do, when challenges arrive you'll be prepared and will overcome them easily.
Success. Bitter measure cannot be kept up with constancy.
- 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 → 60 Thriftlines 5 and 6
Other transformations of Thrift
- 8Unionlines 1 and 2
- 48Right Actionlines 1 and 3
- 63After the Endlines 2 and 3
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 4
- 17Adaptinglines 2 and 4
- 43Overflowinglines 3 and 4
- 7The Armylines 1 and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 4 and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 6
- 42Increaselines 2 and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 3 and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 4 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.