42. Increase (益)

Line 4

If this line changes it transforms into 25. Innocence (The Unexpected) (无妄)

Modern reading

Six in the fourth place acts as an upright, central bridge between executive authority and the community, facilitating major systemic transitions. Balanced alignment with leadership enables sweeping changes, such as relocating a capital, to unfold with complete support.

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I Ching / BaZi reading request (from eastalmanac.com).
Page: Hexagram 42 益 — Line 4.
Interpret through classical principles in two layers: 1) Structural Evidence: identify key line dynamics, changing line pivot, or element balance. 2) Actionable Verdict: direct answer to the inquiry in plain language, followed by 2–3 concrete next steps (action-verb first) and mindful cautions. Grounded wisdom for self-reflection. Source page:
https://eastalmanac.com/yijing/42/4

I Ching casting

Holding a correct yin position at the base of the upper trigram, this line connects the ruler above with the foundational forces below.

The classical reading observes that when counsel proceeds along the middle path, high leadership readily complies, making it auspicious to undertake major transformations like shifting a realm.

Navigating complex institutional shifts succeeds when your initiatives respect established governance and serve the greater collective good.

Career

You occupy a strategic coordination role where aligning executive strategy with team capabilities can unlock substantial progress. Organizational insight indicates that balanced proposals that address mutual interests receive strong backing from senior leadership.

Present well-reasoned, collaborative plans to guide your team smoothly through structural reorganizations.

Love & relationships

Your personal life benefits from thoughtful mediation, especially if family dynamics or life transitions require careful coordination. Relational wisdom highlights that mutual respect and fair compromise allow couples to navigate major milestones in unified harmony.

Discuss future plans with balanced consideration so both partners feel secure and supported through upcoming changes.

Wealth

This line favors strategic structural adjustments, logistical realignments, or establishing operations on stronger institutional footing. Sound enterprise strategy suggests that leveraging reliable platforms and securing executive buy-in reduces friction during expansion.

Anchor your financial transitions to verified networks and transparent planning to establish a resilient material base.

References

Original text

Line statement

4. The fourth line, divided, shows its subject pursuing the due course. His advice to his prince is followed. He can with advantage be relied on in such a movement as that of removing the capital.

Small Image

‘His advice to his prince is followed:’—his (only) object in it being the increase (of the general good).

Classical commentary

Zhouyi BenyiLine statement

The third and fourth lines neither hold the center, so both take acting in the middle way as an admonition. This means that if one takes increasing those below as one's heartfelt purpose and accords with acting in the middle way, then reporting to the prince will be followed.

The Zuo Commentary says: 'When the Zhou moved east, upon Jin and Zheng they relied.' Anciently, when a state relocated its capital to benefit those below, it had to rely on something before it could establish itself.

This line is also an auspicious omen for relocating the capital of a state.

Yichuan YizhuanLine statement

The fourth line meets the time of Increase, dwelling near the position of the ruler and occupying its proper correctness.

With yielding compliance, it assists the ruler above, and below it accords and responds to the firm yang of the initial line; in this way, it can bring increase to the one above.

However, its position does not hold the center, and its corresponding partner is also not in the center, which means it is deficient in centrality.

Therefore it is said: if its conduct attains the middle way, it can benefit the sovereign above, and reporting to the superior will gain trust and compliance.

Having a yielding and gentle body, it lacks firm and independent resolution; thus 'it is advantageous to be relied upon in moving the capital.' To be relied upon means relying upon and attaching to the superior. Moving the capital means moving in accord with those below.

Above, it relies on the ruler of firm centrality to deliver increase; below, it accords with the talents of firm yang to carry out the affairs; such is how it is advantageous.

Since antiquity, whenever the people of states and settlements found no peace in their dwellings, the capital was moved; relocating the capital is an act of moving in accord with those below.

Yichuan YizhuanSmall Image

The line text merely says that attaining the middle way allows one to report to the prince and gain compliance. The Xiang Commentary further clarifies this, saying: 'Reporting to the prince and gaining compliance' means reporting with the aspiration to benefit all under heaven.

If one's aspiration truly lies in benefiting all under heaven, the superior will surely trust and follow it. He who serves his sovereign does not worry about the superior not complying; he worries only that his own aspiration may lack sincerity.

Zhouyi ZhuLine statement

Dwelling in the time of Increase, situated at the beginning of Xun, yielding in substance and in Correct Position, being above yet responding to what is below. Lowly, it does not exhaust those below; exalted, it does not dwell in haughty excess.

Though its position is not central, it acts in the middle way. Reporting to the prince with this, how could he not comply? Relying on this to relocate, who would not accept it?

Zhouyi ZhuSmall Image

Its aspiration attains increase.

Zhouyi ZhengyiLine statement

Sub-commentary: Six in the Fourth Place dwells in the time of Increase, at the beginning of Xun, yielding in substance and in Correct Position, above yet responding to below. Lowly, it does not exhaust those below; exalted, it does not dwell in haughty excess.

Though its position is not central, it acts in the middle way, hence it is said to act in the middle way. With this virtue of acting in the middle way, if it reports an affair to the prince, the prince will surely comply; hence 'reporting to the prince, he follows.'

Using this principle to rely on others in moving the capital, none will fail to receive it; hence 'it is advantageous to be relied upon in moving the capital.'

Relocating the capital is a major affair of the state; this makes clear that by acting in the middle way, even in major affairs there is nothing that is not advantageous, just as in the historical meaning of 'when Zhou moved east, upon Jin and Zheng they relied.'

Zhouyi ZhengyiSmall Image

Sub-commentary: 'To increase the aspiration' means that having been followed by the prince, its aspiration attains increase.