I CHING HEXAGRAM 42

Hexagram 42: Increase / 风雷益

Meaning & Interpretation

QUICK ORIENTATION

What this pattern asks of you

Invest where benefit can circulate, act while conditions are responsive, and let growth strengthen more than one party.

LOWER TRIGRAMThunder (Zhen)

The inner condition and the way the situation begins.

UPPER TRIGRAMWind (Xun)

The surrounding field and the way the pattern develops.

THE TRADITIONAL IMAGE

Wind (Xun) above Thunder (Zhen)

Wind and thunder reinforce one another, spreading movement and benefit. Increase becomes sustainable when advantage circulates toward real need and growth is matched by responsibility.

Core Meaning

Increase concerns growth created by directing resources, attention, or advantage toward what can genuinely develop.

Invest where benefit can circulate, act while conditions are responsive, and let growth strengthen more than one party. In a Liu Yao reading, this general pattern is only the starting point: moving lines, Self and Other, Six Relatives, and seasonal strength determine how it applies to a specific question.

In Love & Relationships

Generosity and encouragement can expand the relationship. Make sure giving creates mutual capacity rather than dependence.

In Career & Work

Invest in people, tools, and opportunities with compounding value. A favorable opening rewards timely, useful action.

Changing Lines

1
Use available strength for a meaningful undertaking.
2
Support may arrive beyond what was expected.
3
Even difficult events can increase wisdom when handled cleanly.
4
Act as a trusted intermediary when benefit must move.
5
Sincere generosity creates its own confirmation.
6
Increase pursued only for oneself can reverse into loss.

Questions for Reflection

01
Where is the pattern of increase already visible in the situation you are asking about?
02
Which part of this guidance is within your control now: Invest where benefit can circulate, act while conditions are responsive, and let growth strengthen more than one party.
03
What observable change would show that the situation is becoming more workable—or less so?

READ THE CHART, NOT ONLY THE NAME

Put this hexagram in context

Understand changing lines →See the Liu Yao method →