Hexagram 42: Increase → Hexagram 48: The Well

Increase
Wind / Thunder
The Well
Water / Wind
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 6).

Line 1

初九 利用為大作。元吉无咎。

worthwhile
yòng(to be) applied? practiced? carried out?
wéi(to) effect
great
zuòworks
yuánmost
promising
no
jiùblame

Nine at the beginning means: It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.

Line 2

六二 或益之十朋之龜。弗克違。永貞吉。王用享于帝吉。

huòsomebody
increases
zhī(to) (this) one
shí(by) ten
péng(matched) pairs
zhīof
guītortoise
(one) (is) not
able
wéi(of
yǒngeverlasting
zhēnpersistence
(is) promising
wáng(a
yòngapplies
xiǎng(the) offering
to
god
promising

Six in the second place means: Someone does indeed increase him; Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Constant perseverance brings good fortune. The king presents him before God. Good fortune.

Line 3

六三 益之用凶事。无咎。有孚中行。告公用圭。

increase(ing)
zhīis that of
yòng(the) way
xiōngill-omened
shìevents
no
jiùblame
yǒu(if
sincerity
zhōng(the) central
xíngconduct
gàoannounce
gōng(to the) prince
yòng(one) uses
guī(a) jade tablet

Six in the third place means: One is enriched through unfortunate events. No blame, if you are sincere And walk in the middle, And report with a seal to the prince.

Line 6

上九 莫益之。或擊之。立心勿恆。凶。

no one
increases
zhīthis
huòsome
strike(s)
zhīthis
(to) establish
xīnheart
not at all
héngconstancy
xiōng(is) ill-omened

Nine at the top means: He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramWind WaterThe Gentle → The Deep
Lower TrigramThunder WindThe Arousing → The Gentle

Yilin Verse

六目騤騤,各欲有至。專止未裝,俟侍旦明。

Six eyes gleam with eagerness, each wishing to set forth. Halting, not yet packed for travel, they wait and attend the dawn.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Wind and thunder bestow increase, and the transformation leads to water above wood — the inexhaustible well of the Well. Six eyes gleam with eagerness, each desiring to reach a destination. But all halt, their baggage still unpacked, waiting for the dawn to break. Three people — 'six eyes' — are poised to depart but hold themselves in check, not yet setting out. The shared anticipation creates a charged stillness: everyone is ready, but the right moment has not arrived. They wait for first light to travel safely. From Increase to the Well, the dynamic is one of resources gathered and held in readiness. The well nourishes without being depleted; the travelers who wait for dawn rather than rushing into darkness demonstrate the Well's principle: patient service at the right time yields far more than impulsive action.

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