Yi · Increase
益卦 · 风雷益
- Gain
- Support
- Action
- Self-improvement
The Judgment
Yi indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream.
利有攸往，利涉大川。
The Image
Wind and thunder: increase. The noble one, in the same way, moves towards the good when they see it and corrects their faults when they have them.
风雷，益。君子以见善则迁，有过则改。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
You are in a phase where help and gains come easily. Yi is wind and thunder strengthening each other, a symbol of those above giving to those below and both growing. There are many opportunities and plenty of support; it is a good time to act and to grow.
Where to put your effort
Seize the chance and act boldly: it is favourable to go forward and to cross the great water. At the same time, use this spirit of increase to improve yourself: when you see something good, learn from it; when you find a fault, correct it. Share the benefits you receive, and in helping others you will receive more.
Four areas of life
- Career
- A time of success; replace the old with the new.
- Wealth
- Trade quickly to profit.
- Family
- Beware of storms; a happy marriage.
- Health
- Too much liver heat.
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 that it will be advantageous for its subject in his position to make a great movement. If it be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him.Moving
初九：利用为大作，元吉，无咎。
Image：Supreme good fortune, no blame: those below are not burdened with heavy tasks.
- Career
- Great things can be done; everything goes as you wish.
- Wealth
- With the right people and plans, great profit lies ahead.
- Family
- A spacious new home; very auspicious for marriage.
- Health
- No health concerns.
Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows its subject with sincere heart seeking to benefit (all below). There need be no question about it; the result will be great good fortune. (All below) will with sincere heart acknowledge his goodness.Moving
九五：有孚惠心，勿问元吉。有孚惠我德。
Image：With a sincere and kind heart, there is no need to ask. Kindness returned to my virtue: the aim is greatly achieved.
- Career
- A kind heart earns a well-deserved reputation.
- Wealth
- Balancing profit with principle makes gains last.
- Family
- A good person's home; close to family or friends.
- Health
- Well looked after.
Nine at the topIn the sixth line, undivided, we see one to whose increase none will contribute, while many will seek to assail him. He observes no regular rule in the ordering of his heart. There will be evil.Moving
上九：莫益之，或击之，立心勿恒，凶。
Image：No one increases him: he speaks only for himself. Someone strikes him: it comes from outside.
- Career
- Greed for fame and position brings unexpected disaster.
- Wealth
- Seeking only your own gain will spark disputes.
- Family
- Not a place to stay long; hard to grow old together.
- Health
- The misfortune of inconsistency.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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