What this change means
Water and fire give way to open, receptive ground as three lines change and both trigrams turn to Earth. The two judgments are weighed. The starting hexagram describes a crossing that's nearly ready, with pieces still missing, and the danger of immature moves. The resulting hexagram, 2 Passivity, says initiative isn't yours to take now; it's wiser to be guided by others and to keep at your projects with steady patience. Together they suggest letting someone else steer the last stretch. Where you're inexperienced, a receptive attitude protects you from the very mistakes the starting situation fears. Listen, follow good guidance, and keep working steadily without forcing anything. The completion will come through patience rather than through your own push.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 2 Passivity
This is not the time to take the initiative to achieve things. It's better to let others guide you and to keep at your projects with patience.
Great success. The constancy of a mare is favorable. The noble person has somewhere to go: going ahead, they lose the way; following behind, they find someone to guide them. It is favorable to find friends in the southwest and to lose them in the northeast. Calm constancy brings good fortune.
- 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.
- 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 6 of 64 Transition
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.
The trigrams
The way back
2 Passivity → 64 Transitionlines 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Transition
- 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
- 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.