What this change means
The mountain rests on the earth when the second and fourth lines change, and something that stood high begins to wear down. The fourth line leads: the time to act has arrived; define your aim and go directly at it. The second line tempers that: patience and acting at the right moment matter, and the waiting should be used to prepare. The resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, describes obstacles and difficulty, where even if you're right your words aren't believed and people who misuse power gain ground; it asks you not to push and to be generous toward those beneath you. So there's a real tension between readiness and an unfavorable climate. Keep your goal clear and stay prepared, but don't force it now. Protect your base, care for those who depend on you, and move when conditions turn.
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 2 of 64 Transition
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.
- 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 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 64 Transitionlines 2 and 4
Other transformations of Transition
- 21Bitinglines 1 and 2
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 3
- 56The Travelerlines 2 and 3
- 41Decreaselines 1 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.