I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 41 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 3, 6 to Hexagram 15

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 41.1.2.3.6 -> 15

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

41. Decrease

Yin Yin Yin Yang Yin Yin

15. Balancing

41. Decrease (損 Sǔn)

Trigrams

Above
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
Below
☱ Duì (Lake) — 澤 · Open

The Symbolism of Hexagram 41

Hexagram 損 (Sǔn) describes reduction—removing excess to restore balance. The system is simplified by decreasing what is unnecessary.

Mountain above lake shows containment and limiting of what lies below. Reduction is not loss for its own sake, but a structural rebalancing.

Hexagram 41 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
損，有孚，元吉，无咎，可貞，利有攸往。曷之用，二簋可用享。
(Sǔn, yǒu fú, yuán jí, wú jiù, kě zhēn, lì yǒu yōu wǎng. Hé zhī yòng, èr guǐ kě yòng xiǎng.)
English Translation:
"Decrease. There is underlying alignment. Primary favorable outcome. No error. Correct alignment is possible. It is favorable to move with direction. What is required is minimal: simple offerings are sufficient."

Reduction is effective when it is intentional and grounded in sincerity. The system does not require excess to function properly.

The final clause is critical: success does not depend on scale. Even minimal resources, correctly applied, are sufficient. Decrease simplifies without undermining function.

Hexagram 41 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
山下有澤，損。君子以懲忿窒欲。
(Shān xià yǒu zé, sǔn. Jūn zǐ yǐ chéng fèn zhì yù.)
English Translation:
"The lake rests beneath the mountain: decrease. The superior person restrains anger and checks desire."

The mountain limits the lake, preventing overflow. This is controlled reduction.

The system improves by removing excess pressure and unnecessary expansion. Reduction restores stability.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
巳事遄往，無咎，酌損之。
(Sì shì chuán wǎng, wú jiù, zhuó sǔn zhī.)
English Translation:
"Once the matter is complete, move quickly. No error. Reduction is applied with care."

Once a process is finished, it should not be prolonged. Delay creates unnecessary excess.

Reduction here is deliberate and measured. The system trims what is no longer needed.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
利貞，征凶，弗損，益之。
(Lì zhēn, zhēng xiōng, fú sǔn, yì zhī.)
English Translation:
"It is favorable to remain correctly aligned. Advancing brings an unfavorable outcome. If reduction is not applied, increase follows."

This line warns against unnecessary forward movement. The system does not need expansion—it needs correction.

If reduction is avoided, imbalance grows. Restraint preserves stability.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
三人行，則損一人。一人行，則得其友。
(Sān rén xíng, zé sǔn yī rén. Yī rén xíng, zé dé qí yǒu.)
English Translation:
"When multiple elements move together, one is reduced. When operating alone, connection is gained."

Excess within a group requires reduction. Not all components are necessary.

By simplifying structure, more effective alignment becomes possible. Reduction creates clearer relationships.

Line 6 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
弗損，益之，無咎，貞吉，利有攸往，得臣无家。
(Fú sǔn, yì zhī, wú jiù, zhēn jí, lì yǒu yōu wǎng, dé chén wú jiā.)
English Translation:
"No further reduction is needed. Increase follows. No error. Correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome. It is favorable to move with direction. Support is gained without dependency."

Reduction has reached its correct limit. Beyond this point, further decrease would be harmful.

Now the system begins to expand again, but from a stable base. Support is integrated without creating new imbalance.

Changing to:

15. Balancing (謙 Qiān)

Trigrams

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

The Symbolism of Hexagram 15

Hexagram 謙 (Qiān) describes a condition in which what is elevated is lowered and what is low is raised, creating balance. It is not self-effacement, but the proper adjustment of excess and deficiency.

Hexagram 15 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
謙亨，君子有終。
(Qiān hēng, jūn zǐ yǒu zhōng.)
English Translation:
"Balancing brings smooth progress. The superior person brings it to completion."

When excess is reduced and deficiency is filled, movement becomes smooth. This creates a condition in which processes can continue without disruption.

The superior person carries this adjustment through to its conclusion, ensuring that balance is not temporary but sustained.

Hexagram 15 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
地中有山，謙。君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。
(Dì zhōng yǒu shān, qiān. Jūn zǐ yǐ póu duō yì guǎ, chēng wù píng shī.)
English Translation:
"A mountain rises within the earth: balancing. The superior person gathers what is excessive and adds to what is lacking, distributing things according to balance."

The mountain is contained within the earth, its height moderated rather than exposed. This reflects reduction of excess.

Balance is achieved not by equalizing everything blindly, but by measuring and adjusting according to what each situation requires.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team