Hexagram 17Upper Dui · LakeLower Zhen · Thunder

Sui · Following

随卦 · 泽雷随

Adapting
Following
Flexibility
Choosing well

The Judgment

Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.

元亨，利贞，无咎。

The Image

Thunder within the lake: following. The noble one, in the same way, goes in to rest when evening falls.

泽中有雷，随。君子以向晦入宴息。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

You are at a point where you need to adjust direction and adapt to change. Sui is thunder resting within the lake, a sign of moving with the times. Perhaps your surroundings or your role have changed and the old ways no longer work, so you need to decide what to follow and what to let go.

Where to put your effort

Follow only what is good: check whether a person or direction is sound before committing. Let go of attachments that no longer fit and be willing to change your position. Know how to rest, too: act when it is time to act and rest properly when it is time to rest. You are following the rhythm of the times, not other people's footsteps.

Four areas of life

Career: Luck turns next year; it takes five years to fully unfold.
Wealth: Build up stock now; it will pay off next spring.
Family: Guard against sudden scares.
Health: Rest is best; beware of legal trouble.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Nine at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will he good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit.Moving

初九：官有渝，贞吉。出门交有功。

Image：Standards change: following what is right brings good fortune. Going out to meet others brings success: nothing is lost.

Career: Your luck is turning; a good time for change.
Wealth: Selling goods further afield brings profit.
Family: Renovate or move house.
Health: Change your treatment; seek a doctor further away.

Six in the second placeThe second line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.Moving

六二：系小子，失丈夫。

Image：Clinging to the small boy: one cannot have both.

Career: Things are upside down; better to be careful.
Wealth: Chasing small gains loses big ones; clearly unfavourable.
Family: The head of the family is burdened; the marriage is unsuitable.
Health: Treating one thing while neglecting another.

Six in the third placeThe third line, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct.Moving

六三：系丈夫，失小子。随有求，得，利居贞。

Image：Clinging to the grown man: the will lets go of what is below.

Career: Seeking money or recognition both follow the right path.
Wealth: Give a little, gain a lot; profit can be expected.
Family: Savings are building; pay attention to the children.
Health: Fine for adults, not good for children.

Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows us one followed and obtaining (adherents). Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (however) in his course, and make that evident, into what error will he fall?Moving

九四：随有获，贞凶。有孚，在道以明，何咎？

Image：Following brings gain, but the meaning is misfortune. Sincerity on the path: this brings clear merit.

Career: Mixed fortunes; next year is auspicious.
Wealth: There is profit, but watch out for accidents.
Family: Not a good time to buy property.
Health: Bad at first, good later.

Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune.Moving

九五：孚于嘉，吉。

Image：Sincere in what is excellent, good fortune: the position is central and correct.

Career: You are in good luck; everything goes well.
Wealth: Top-quality goods bring a good profit.
Family: A family that does good; a happy marriage.
Health: No need to worry.

Six at the topThe topmost line, divided, shows us (that sincerity) firmly held and clung to, yea, and bound fast. (We see) the king with it presenting his offerings on the western mountain.Moving

上六：拘系之，乃从维之；王用亨于西山。

Image：Firmly bound: at the top, the way runs out.

Career: Many obstacles; hard to get what you want.
Wealth: Steady and safe, but no room to expand.
Family: Complaints at home; a marriage is fated.
Health: Pray sincerely; a very grave sign.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

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