I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 42 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 3, 5 to Hexagram 18

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 42.1.2.3.5 -> 18

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

42. Increase

Yang Yin Yin Yang Yang Yin

18. Correction of Decay

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

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
益，利有攸往，利涉大川。
(Yì, lì yǒu yōu wǎng, lì shè dà chuān.)
English Translation:
"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

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
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.)
English Translation:
"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.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
利用為大作，元吉，無咎。
(Lì yòng wéi dà zuò, yuán jí, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"It is favorable to undertake major work. Primary favorable outcome. No error."

Increase at the beginning is best used productively. The added capacity should be directed into something substantial.

Because the system has gained strength, larger action becomes viable. This is the correct use of increase.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
(Huò yì zhī, shí péng zhī guī fú kè wéi, yǒng zhēn jí. Wáng yòng xiǎng yú dì, jí.)
English Translation:
"Increase comes from outside support and cannot be refused. Enduring correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome. The governing authority uses this to make an offering to the Highest. Favorable outcome."

The system receives reinforcement from beyond itself. The gain is substantial and carries legitimacy.

When increase is stable, it can be integrated into a larger order rather than merely consumed. That is why the outcome remains favorable.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
益之用凶事，無咎。有孚，中行告公用圭。
(Yì zhī yòng xiōng shì, wú jiù. Yǒu fú, zhōng xíng gào gōng yòng guī.)
English Translation:
"Increase is applied when an unfavorable outcome must be handled. No error. There is underlying alignment, and balanced conduct is formally communicated."

Increase is not reserved only for easy conditions. It may be used to stabilize or repair a system under strain.

What matters is proper handling and clear alignment. Used with balance, increase becomes corrective rather than excessive.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。
(Yǒu fú huì xīn, wù wèn yuán jí. Yǒu fú huì wǒ dé.)
English Translation:
"There is underlying alignment in a benevolent heart. Do not ask. Primary favorable outcome. There is underlying alignment in the virtue it extends to others."

Increase is most effective when it is grounded in genuine benefit rather than demand. The gain is self-validating.

Because the increase is aligned and generous in function, it strengthens the whole system. The result does not need external confirmation.

Changing to:

18. Correction of Decay (蠱 Gǔ)

Trigrams

Above
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
Below
☴ Xùn (Wind) — 風 · Penetrating

The Symbolism of Hexagram 18

Hexagram 蠱 (Gǔ) describes a condition of accumulated disorder—something that has been left unattended and has deteriorated over time. It requires deliberate intervention to restore proper structure.

Hexagram 18 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
蠱，元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，後甲三日。
(Gǔ, yuán hēng, lì shè dà chuān. Xiān jiǎ sān rì, hòu jiǎ sān rì.)
English Translation:
"Correction of decay. Origin and smooth progress. It is favorable to undertake a major transition. Three days before, three days after."

This describes a situation requiring active correction of what has been allowed to degrade. Movement is possible, but only through deliberate effort.

The reference to time indicates preparation and follow-through. Repair is not instantaneous—it requires understanding what led to the condition and sustaining the correction beyond the initial change.

Hexagram 18 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
風行山上，蠱。君子以振民育德。
(Fēng xíng shān shàng, gǔ. Jūn zǐ yǐ zhèn mín yù dé.)
English Translation:
"Wind moves along the mountain: correction of decay. The superior person stirs what is stagnant and cultivates what sustains."

The image shows penetration beneath stillness—movement entering what has become fixed. This reveals underlying disorder.

The response is to activate what has become dormant and rebuild what supports continuity. Correction requires both disruption and renewal.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team