What this change means
Heaven and earth separate when the two central lines move, and the flow between them stops. The fifth line leads: the noble person's light and sincere trust bring good fortune, and what you've achieved can benefit others. The second line counsels patience: wait for the right moment, hold the wheels back, and prepare in the meantime. The resulting hexagram, 12 Decline, describes adverse people and situations, and asks you to avoid getting involved with them whatever they offer, to withdraw to safety and keep a low profile until conditions change. So the light is real, but the surroundings aren't receptive. Keep your integrity and the trust you've earned, but don't display it widely. Turn down tempting offers from the wrong quarter, wait, and prepare quietly for a better climate.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 64 Transition
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 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 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
The trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 64 Transitionlines 2 and 5
Other transformations of Transition
- 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
- 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.