Hexagram 42: Increase
By Wendy Zhang, Founder of Solacely · Updated
益 · Yì
Increase. It is favorable to go forward. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The judgment
利有攸往。利涉大川。
Increase. It is favorable to go forward. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The image
風雷，益；君子以見善則遷，有過則改。
Wind and thunder: the image of Increase. When the noble person sees good, they move toward it; when they have faults, they correct them.
Thunder below and wind above strengthen each other: energy rising and gentle influence spreading. What the upper gives to the lower creates growth for all.
What Increase means
Increase is a time of expansion: resources, energy, or opportunities are available and things are growing. The traditional commentary explains that increase happens when the top gives to the bottom, when those with more support those with less, and the result is that everyone benefits. The judgment encourages action: go forward and even attempt something challenging, such as crossing the great river. This is not a moment to wait. The Image turns growth into a personal practice: imitate good wherever you see it and correct your faults quickly. Real increase is moral as well as material. Commentators stress that this abundant period will not last forever, so use it to build and help. In practice, this may mean launching projects, investing in people, learning quickly, or making changes you have delayed. Avoid greed or hoarding; the top line warns that taking without giving turns increase into its opposite.
In love and relationships
Love has a generous, growing energy now. It is a good time to invest in a relationship, show appreciation, or take a meaningful step forward together. Learn from what works and quickly own mistakes. Singles may find openness and generosity attract new connections. Give freely, without keeping score.
At work
Opportunities may expand: a promotion, new funding, or a chance to start an ambitious project. Act boldly and support others as you rise. Adopt good practices quickly and fix errors without defensiveness. Shared growth lasts longer than personal gain at others’ expense, so build a team that benefits alongside you.
The six lines
Read a line when it is a changing line in your cast (a 6 or a 9).
利用為大作，元吉，无咎。
It is favorable to undertake a great work. Supreme good fortune, no blame.
Support from above gives this strong first line the means to begin something significant. Though you may feel junior, the resources and timing favor ambitious action. Undertake the project, but make sure it is worthy and well planned. Success here must be large and real to justify the support you receive.
或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
Someone increases it; ten pairs of tortoise shells cannot oppose it. Constant persistence brings good fortune. The king presents offerings to God. Good fortune.
This central, correct yielding line is open to blessing and receives it from above. Gains come easily and every sign confirms them. Stay steady and humble, and honor the source of your good fortune, as the king does in his offering. Gratitude and long consistency are what turn a lucky increase into a lasting one.
益之用凶事，无咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。
Increased through misfortune. No blame. With sincerity, walking the middle path, report to the prince with a jade tablet.
You gain through difficulty, which teaches and strengthens you. This line in an uneasy place can still benefit by being honest and balanced. Report problems transparently to those responsible; the jade tablet is a token of sincere communication. Hard experiences, handled with integrity, become a source of growth.
中行，告公從。利用為依遷國。
Walking the middle path, you report to the prince, and he follows. It is favorable to be trusted in moving the capital.
You act as a trusted go-between, standing near the ruler in the outer trigram. Because your counsel is balanced, those in charge follow it, and you may be entrusted with a major change, pictured as moving the capital. Carry that trust carefully. Large transitions succeed when the person guiding them is fair, reliable, and not seeking advantage.
有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。
With sincerity and a kind heart, there is no need to ask: supreme good fortune. Others sincerely recognize my virtue as kindness.
In the ruler’s place, this strong central line gives out of genuine kindness, not calculation. No divination is needed to confirm the outcome. People feel the goodwill and return it. Lead generously and without ulterior motives; that kindness becomes the most solid form of increase.
莫益之，或擊之，立心勿恆，凶。
No one increases him; someone strikes him. He does not keep his heart steady. Misfortune.
At the top, increase has become self-serving. Someone who takes without giving, or who is inconsistent in intention, loses support and invites attack. If you have been focused only on your own gain, change course. Return to generosity and steady purpose before resentment builds against you.
Advice
Move toward the good you see and correct your faults without delay. Use this season of growth to act and to give.
A question to reflect on
What good example could I follow right now, and what fault am I ready to correct?