In practice
The judgment
Things are coming together so that success can arrive and you can take on great projects, but some things still haven't fallen into place. So stay alert, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity, or you'll drift from your goals. This can happen even after you've gotten what you want: you stop, you hesitate, and mistakes happen.
The poetry
Before Crossing
Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.
The image
Fire stands above water: before crossing. So the noble person, with care, tells things apart and sets each in its place.
The lines
- Line 6上九
You'll have success and tangible results. You can relax, have fun and share what you've achieved with others, but don't overdo it: any excess will lead to loss.
There is sincere trust in drinking wine. No fault. If the head gets wet, trust loses its measure.
- Line 5六五
You get what you want; you'll be able to enjoy it and contribute to the well-being of others.
Constancy brings good fortune. No regret. The light of the noble person: there is sincere trust. Good fortune.
- Line 4九四
The time for action has come. Define what you want and head straight for it: you'll make growing, lasting progress.
Constancy brings good fortune. Regret vanishes. With the force of thunder the land of Guifang is attacked; in three years comes a reward from the great kingdom.
- Line 3六三
Acting hastily or trying to force things will lead to failure. Recognizing this and leaning on those who can help you will let you get back on course.
Before crossing, setting out brings misfortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- Line 2九二
Patience, and waiting to act at the right moment, matter, but while you wait, get ready.
Drags back on its wheels. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 1初六
If you rush for results instead of doing things step by step, you'll lose your way.
Wets its tail. Distress.
Its 63 transformations
Depending on which lines move in your cast, Transition turns into another hexagram. Pick the lines from your cast.
One moving line
6
Two moving lines
15
- 21Bitinglines 1 and 2
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 3
- 56The Travelerlines 2 and 3
- 41Decreaselines 1 and 4
- 23The Falllines 2 and 4
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 3 and 4
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1 and 5
- 12Declinelines 2 and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3 and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 4 and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1 and 6
- 16Passionlines 2 and 6
- 32What Lastslines 3 and 6
- 7The Armylines 4 and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 5 and 6
Three moving lines
20
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, and 3
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, and 4
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, and 4
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 4, and 5
- 20Observinglines 2, 4, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 3, 4, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 4, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 2, 4, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 3, 4, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 3, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 4, 5, and 6
Four moving lines
15
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 8Unionlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Five moving lines
6
All six lines moving
1
The classical text
未濟：亨。小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。
象曰：火在水上，未濟；君子以慎辨物居方。
初六：濡其尾，吝。
九二：曳其輪，貞吉。
六三：未濟，征凶，利涉大川。
九四：貞吉，悔亡，震用伐鬼方，三年有賞于大國。
六五：貞吉，无悔，君子之光，有孚，吉。
上九：有孚于飲酒，无咎，濡其首，有孚失是。
Related hexagrams
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.