What this change means
A lake settles at the foot of the mountain as the first and fourth lines change. The fourth line leads: the moment to act is here, so decide clearly what you want and go straight toward it, for lasting progress. The first line sets the pace: don't rush for quick results, because skipping steps makes you lose your way. The resulting hexagram, 41 Decrease, asks for moderation and saving, conserving resources and energy and avoiding every kind of excess while you prepare for a later period of growth. The combination is a disciplined advance. Move toward your goal with determination, but spend carefully and keep your effort steady rather than lavish. Each step should be sustainable. Growth will come, and it comes to those who haven't exhausted themselves before it arrives.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 64 Transition
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 1 of 64 Transition
If you rush for results instead of doing things step by step, you'll lose your way.
Wets its tail. Distress.
- The judgment of 64 Transition
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.
Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.
- 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 → 64 Transitionlines 1 and 4
Other transformations of Transition
- 21Bitinglines 1 and 2
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 3
- 56The Travelerlines 2 and 3
- 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.