Hexagram 42 · Increase
Yi
Upper Wind (Xun) · Lower Thunder (Zhen)
Judgment
Increase brings benefit. It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great river.
Lines
- First line (1): The first nine: It is favorable to undertake great works. Supreme good fortune. No blame.
- Second line (2): The second six: Someone increases you with ten pairs of tortoise shells. You cannot refuse them. Lasting perseverance brings good fortune. The king uses them in offering to the Lord. Good fortune.
- Third line (3): The third six: Increase is used for dealing with misfortune. No blame. With sincerity, walk in the middle way, and announce your intentions to the duke with a jade tablet.
- Fourth line (4): The fourth six: Walking in the middle way, you announce your intentions to the duke, and he follows. It is favorable to rely on this in moving the capital.
- Fifth line (5): The fifth nine: With sincerity, you have a heart of kindness. No need to ask. Supreme good fortune. With sincerity, you have a heart that benefits my virtue.
- Top line (6): The top nine: No one increases you; some may even strike you. If your heart is not constant, misfortune.
In Practice
Increase shows wind over thunder: movement and growth reinforcing each other. It is the hexagram of growth, gain, and abundance that expands. Its teaching is that true increase comes from generosity — the more the strong give to those below, the more all rise together. The image is of the ruler who gives freely to the people and is enriched by their flourishing. Increase is not hoarding but circulation: what flows out returns multiplied. The wise seize the favorable time to build, to give, and to grow, for the season of increase does not last forever.
In love
The relationship is in a season of growth — deepening, expanding, becoming more. Nurture it by giving freely: time, attention, generosity. Love grows by circulation, not by withholding. The more you pour in, the more there is for both.
In career
A time of real growth and opportunity. Invest in people, share the gains, and build while the season favors it. Increase that benefits others is the increase that endures. Seize the moment to expand — the favorable wind will not blow forever.
In money
A favorable season for growth. Invest and build, but let your gains circulate — give, reinvest, and use wealth to create more for others as well as yourself. Wealth that flows out and returns is wealth that multiplies.
Guidance
Seize the favorable time to grow, and grow by giving. Let increase circulate rather than hoard it, and it will return multiplied. Build now, generously, while the season of increase is with you.
Watch out
Increase that is only hoarded stagnates, and growth that ignores the season overreaches. Give as you gain, and build while the wind is fair — not after it has turned.
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