Hexagram 41 for decisions: Decrease

損 Sǔn · A decision

Choose the option that costs less and demands more restraint. If it involves giving something up, give it up sincerely and without resentment. The reading is against the lavish choice.

Lake below, mountain above: the lake at the foot of the mountain giving up its depth to the mountain's height. Decrease describes reduction: of resources, of expenditure, of passion, of what is below in order to serve what is above. The tradition's judgement is that decrease combined with sincerity brings supreme good fortune, and it offers the image of two small bowls used for a sacrifice when nothing grander is available. Simplicity, when it is honest, is enough. The image adds the inner work: the wise person controls anger and restrains instincts. The reading says the time asks for less, and that less done sincerely is a form of increase.

Advice: Reduce what is excess, offer what you have with sincerity, and restrain anger and impulse.
Warning: Decrease resented, or decrease disguised as plenty, loses the fortune that honest simplicity brings.

The changing lines, read for decisions

If your cast of Hexagram 41 had changing lines, these are what each one adds to a decision question, and where each leads.

Line 1 · changes into 4 Youthful Folly
Going quickly when tasks are finished is without blame. One must consider how much one may decrease others. Help quickly once your own task is done, but do not give past what you can afford.
Line 2 · changes into 27 Nourishment
Persistence furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others. Help others without lessening yourself; your integrity is the gift.
Line 3 · changes into 26 Great Taming
When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one person journeys alone, he finds a companion. Reduce to the pair; three will not hold, one will not stay alone.
Line 4 · changes into 38 Opposition
If one decreases one's faults, it causes the other to come and rejoice. No blame. Work on your own faults; others will come to help.
Line 5 · changes into 61 Inner Truth
Someone increases him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune. Accept the unexpected blessing; no oracle could gainsay it.
Line 6 · changes into 19 Approach
Increase without decreasing others. No blame. Persistence brings good fortune. It furthers to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate home. Give in a way that takes from no one; it is the end of decrease.

Hexagram 41 in full Love & relationships Career Money

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