I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 23 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 to Hexagram 5

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 23.1.2.3.5.6 -> 5

Old Yang Old Yin Young Yin Old Yin Old Yin Old Yin

23. Stripping Away

Yin Yang Yin Yang Yang Yang

5. Waiting (Nourishment)

23. Stripping Away (剝 Bō)

Trigrams

Above
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
Below
☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive

The Symbolism of Hexagram 23

Hexagram 剝 (Bō) describes the removal of supporting layers. What is above loses its foundation as what is below is gradually stripped away.

Hexagram 23 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
剝，不利有攸往。
(Bō, bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
English Translation:
"Stripping away. It is not favorable to proceed."

The structure is being undermined from below. Advancement depends on a foundation that is no longer secure.

Action does not resolve this condition. The appropriate response is to recognize the loss of support and refrain from forward movement.

Hexagram 23 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
山附於地，剝。上以厚下，安宅。
(Shān fù yú dì, bō. Shàng yǐ hòu xià, ān zhái.)
English Translation:
"The mountain rests against the earth: stripping away. The superior person secures the base and stabilizes the dwelling."

The mountain depends entirely on the earth beneath it. When the base erodes, what is above cannot stand.

The only possible response is to reinforce what remains below. Stability comes from restoring or preserving the foundation.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
剝牀以足，蔑貞凶。
(Bō chuáng yǐ zú, miè zhēn xiōng.)
English Translation:
"The bed is stripped at its legs. Correct alignment results in an unfavorable outcome."

The lowest support is removed first. The structure begins to fail at its base.

Persisting as if nothing has changed leads directly to collapse.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
剝牀以辨，蔑貞凶。
(Bō chuáng yǐ biàn, miè zhēn xiōng.)
English Translation:
"The bed is stripped at its frame. Correct alignment results in an unfavorable outcome."

The weakening progresses upward. Structural integrity is further compromised.

Still attempting to maintain the situation accelerates failure.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
剝之无咎。
(Bō zhī wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"Stripping occurs. No error."

At this stage, the process is recognized as inevitable. There is no error in allowing it to proceed.

Blame does not arise when one does not resist what cannot be preserved.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
貫魚以宮人寵，无不利。
(Guàn yú yǐ gōng rén chǒng, wú bù lì.)
English Translation:
"Fish are threaded in sequence. Favor is distributed through those within. Nothing is unfavorable."

Order is reintroduced through controlled distribution. Even within decline, structure can be maintained locally.

Proper alignment and coordination allow what remains to function effectively.

Line 6 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
碩果不食，君子得輿，小人剝廬。
(Shuò guǒ bù shí, jūn zǐ dé yú, xiǎo rén bō lú.)
English Translation:
"The large fruit is left uneaten. The superior person is carried forward. A person of limited capacity loses their dwelling."

A final resource remains intact, not consumed during decline.

Those aligned with structure are preserved and carried onward. Those without foundation are left exposed as the collapse completes.

Changing to:

5. Waiting (Nourishment) (需 Xū)

Trigrams

Above
☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth
Below
☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative

The Symbolism of Hexagram 5

Hexagram 需 (Xū) describes a time of waiting in which conditions are not yet ready. Movement is held back, not by weakness, but by circumstance. The situation calls for readiness, patience, and inner composure.

In human terms, it points to preparing oneself while allowing events to unfold. Nourishment here includes both physical support and the steadying of one's state of mind.

Hexagram 5 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
有孚，光亨，贞吉。利涉大川。
(Yǒu fú, guāng hēng, zhēn jí. Lì shè dà chuān.)
English Translation:
"There is underlying alignment. Clarity. Smooth progress. Correct alignment. Favorable outcome. It is favorable to undertake a major transition."

This describes a situation where trust and inner clarity support eventual progress. Although action is delayed, the foundation is sound. Remaining steady allows the right moment to emerge.

The reference to crossing a great river points to a significant undertaking. When preparation is complete and timing aligns, movement forward becomes possible.

Hexagram 5 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
云上于天，需。君子以饮食宴乐。
(Yún shàng yú tiān, xū. Jūn zǐ yǐ yǐn shí yàn lè.)
English Translation:
"Clouds rise in the sky: waiting (nourishment). The superior person sustains themselves with food, drink, and ease."

Clouds gather but have not yet released rain, indicating a pause before fulfillment. The energy is present, but not yet expressed.

The appropriate response is to maintain balance and nourishment. By remaining at ease and preserving strength, one is prepared for the moment when action becomes possible.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team