I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 26 with Changing Lines 2, 3, 5 to Hexagram 42
Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 26.2.3.5 -> 42
26. Great Accumulation (大畜 Dà Chù)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
- Below
- ☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative
The Symbolism of Hexagram 26
Hexagram 大畜 (Dà Chù) describes the containment of great force. Strength is not expressed outwardly but held, stored, and disciplined until the proper moment.
Hexagram 26 Judgment
大畜,利貞。不家食,吉。利涉大川。
(Dà chù, lì zhēn. Bù jiā shí, jí. Lì shè dà chuān.)
"Great accumulation. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned. Not eating at home brings favorable outcome. It is favorable to undertake a major transition."
Power is being gathered and restrained. Alignment ensures that what is accumulated remains usable and not destructive.
Not eating at home indicates reliance on a larger order rather than personal reserves. When strength is properly contained, it becomes possible to undertake significant movement.
Hexagram 26 Image
天在山中,大畜。君子以多識前言往行,以畜其德。
(Tiān zài shān zhōng, dà chù. Jūn zǐ yǐ duō shí qián yán wǎng xíng, yǐ chù qí dé.)
"Heaven is held within the mountain: great accumulation. The superior person learns from many past words and deeds and stores up virtue."
Heaven represents immense force; the mountain contains it. This is not suppression, but structured holding.
Through study and reflection, strength is accumulated internally and made stable.
Line 2 Changing
輿說輹。
(Yú shuō fù.)
"The carriage is released from its axle-cap."
The coupling that enables movement is removed. Forward progress cannot occur.
This reflects intentional disengagement—movement is halted so that structure can be preserved.
Line 3 Changing
良馬逐,利艱貞。曰閑輿衛,利有攸往。
(Liáng mǎ zhú, lì jiān zhēn. Yuē xián yú wèi, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
"Strong horses move forward. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned through difficulty. Secure the carriage and establish guard; it is favorable to move with direction."
Power is now active but must be controlled. Movement is possible, but only with discipline.
Structure and protection must be established before proceeding.
Line 5 Changing
豶豕之牙,吉。
(Fén shǐ zhī yá, jí.)
"The tusks of a restrained boar. Favorable outcome."
Power remains present but no longer causes harm. It has been shaped rather than eliminated.
This is controlled strength—danger contained but still available.
Changing to:
42. Increase (益 Yì)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☴ Xùn (Wind) — 風 · Penetrating
- Below
- ☳ Zhèn (Thunder) — 雷 · Arousing
The Symbolism of Hexagram 42
Hexagram 益 (Yì) describes increase—expansion through directed addition and reinforcement. The system gains capacity because energy is being applied where it produces real growth.
Wind above thunder shows propagation emerging from activation. What begins as movement below spreads outward and upward, creating amplification. Increase here is not mere accumulation, but growth that extends functional reach.
Hexagram 42 Judgment
益,利有攸往,利涉大川。
(Yì, lì yǒu yōu wǎng, lì shè dà chuān.)
"Increase. It is favorable to move with direction. It is favorable to undertake a major transition."
Increase creates conditions for forward movement. The system has enough added capacity to undertake something consequential.
This is not passive growth. Expansion is meant to be used, especially where a larger passage or transition must be made.
Hexagram 42 Image
風雷,益。君子以見善則遷,有過則改。
(Fēng léi, yì. Jūn zǐ yǐ jiàn shàn zé qiān, yǒu guò zé gǎi.)
"Wind and thunder stir together: increase. The superior person moves toward what is good and corrects what is mistaken."
Increase is not just receiving more. It also requires responsiveness—taking in what strengthens the system and removing what weakens it.
Growth is sustained by adjustment. Increase and correction work together.
Peace and wisdom on your journey!
With gratitude,
The I Ching Team