I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 23 with Changing Lines 6 to Hexagram 2
Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 23.6 -> 2
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
剝，不利有攸往。
(Bō, bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
"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
山附於地，剝。上以厚下，安宅。
(Shān fù yú dì, bō. Shàng yǐ hòu xià, ān zhái.)
"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 6 Changing
碩果不食，君子得輿，小人剝廬。
(Shuò guǒ bù shí, jūn zǐ dé yú, xiǎo rén bō lú.)
"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:
2. The Receptive (坤 Kūn)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
- Below
- ☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
The Symbolism of Hexagram 2
Hexagram 坤 (Kūn) represents receptive power—the capacity to receive, support, and bring things to completion. It corresponds to earth: steady, open, and sustaining. Rather than initiating movement, it responds and gives form to what has begun.
In human terms, it reflects patience, humility, and reliability. Strength here is not forceful, but enduring—expressed through consistency, support, and the ability to carry responsibility without resistance.
Hexagram 2 Judgment
坤，元亨，利牝馬之貞。君子有攸往，先迷後得主，利西南得朋，東北喪朋。安貞，吉。
(Kūn, yuán hēng, lì pìn mǎ zhī zhēn. Jūn zǐ yǒu yōu wǎng, xiān mí hòu dé zhǔ, lì xī nán dé péng, dōng běi sàng péng. Ān zhēn, jí.)
"Origin and smooth progress. It is favorable to be steady like a mare. It is favorable to move with direction: at first there is confusion, then a guiding direction is found. It is favorable to gain companions in the southwest and to lose companions in the northeast. Resting in correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome."
This passage describes a path that unfolds through yielding rather than forcing. At first, direction may not be clear, but by remaining open and responsive, alignment gradually emerges. The references to gaining and losing companions point to moving with what supports you and letting go of what does not.
The core idea is steady receptivity. By remaining grounded and consistent, one finds the right path and proceeds with support rather than strain.
Hexagram 2 Image
地势坤，君子以厚德载物。
(Dì shì kūn, jūn zǐ yǐ hòu dé zài wù.)
"The earth's condition is receptive: the receptive. The superior person carries and supports all things through depth and capacity."
The earth receives and sustains everything without preference or resistance. This becomes a model for human conduct: to develop depth of character that can hold responsibility and support others.
The emphasis is on capacity rather than control. Strength is expressed through what one can carry and sustain over time.
Peace and wisdom on your journey!
With gratitude,
The I Ching Team