I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 29 with Changing Lines 2, 5, 6 to Hexagram 23

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 29.2.5.6 -> 23

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

29. Repeated Depth

Yang Yin Yin Yin Yin Yin

23. Stripping Away

29. Repeated Depth (坎 Kǎn)

Trigrams

Above
☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth
Below
☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth

The Symbolism of Hexagram 29

Hexagram 坎 (Kǎn) describes repeated descent into depth. It represents recurring exposure to danger, requiring continuity of movement and internal stability.

Hexagram 29 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
習坎，有孚，維心亨，行有尚。
(Xí kǎn, yǒu fú, wéi xīn hēng, xíng yǒu shàng.)
English Translation:
"Repeated depth. There is underlying alignment. In the heart, there is smooth progress. Movement has value."

The situation involves recurring entry into difficulty. Stability must come from within, not from external conditions.

Continuity of movement is required. Stopping within danger leads to entrapment.

Hexagram 29 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
水流至坎，習坎。君子以常德行，習教事。
(Shuǐ liú zhì kǎn, xí kǎn. Jūn zǐ yǐ cháng dé xíng, xí jiào shì.)
English Translation:
"Water flows on into the depths: repeated depth. The superior person keeps conduct constant and practices the work of instruction."

Water does not resist the terrain—it continues through it. This reflects persistence through danger rather than avoidance.

Consistency of behavior provides stability when conditions are unstable.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
坎有險，求小得。
(Kǎn yǒu xiǎn, qiú xiǎo dé.)
English Translation:
"Within the depth risk present. Seek small gains."

Large movement is not possible. Progress must be incremental.

Stability is maintained through limited, controlled advancement.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
坎不盈，祗既平，无咎。
(Kǎn bù yíng, zhī jì píng, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"The depth is not filled; it has reached level. No error."

The danger has stabilized and is no longer increasing.

This creates a condition where movement can resume without escalation.

Line 6 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
係用徽纆，寘于叢棘，三歲不得，凶。
(Xì yòng huī mò, zhì yú cóng jí, sān suì bù dé, xiōng.)
English Translation:
"Bound with cords and placed among thorns. For three cycles, there is no release. Unfavorable outcome."

Entrapment occurs due to prolonged exposure to danger without resolution.

Failure to move through earlier stages results in sustained confinement.

Changing to:

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.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team