Hexagram 42 of 64 · Wind ☴ over Thunder ☳
Increase
Yì
Increase — a flow of gain from above to below, and the time to undertake great things while the flow lasts.
The Judgment
Increase: it furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water. The time is generous; use it fully and generously.
The Image
Wind and thunder: when they appear together, each strengthens the other. The wise person, if they see good, imitate it; if they have faults, they rid themselves of them — increase is a matter of taking in what is good and letting go what is not.
Hexagram 42 Meaning
The complement of Decrease: the upper gives to the lower, and everything grows. This is a season of gain, generosity, expansion — a ruler who sacrifices for the people and is loved for it, a time when undertakings succeed and the great water can be crossed. The hexagram is emphatic that the time is limited: increase is a flow, not a state. Act while it lasts. And the image gives the inner method: copy what is good, drop what is bad, without ego about either.
Increase in Love
Growth and generosity in love — a relationship deepening, someone giving freely, a new connection with real momentum. The hexagram says undertake the big thing: move in, commit, take the trip, have the conversation that expands the relationship. It also warns (line 6) against the one who only takes: increase flows when both give. Be generous now while the season is generous; it does not last forever.
Increase in Career & Money
Expansion, investment, growth, a generous market or a generous mentor. The hexagram explicitly favours large undertakings and bold moves — cross the great water. The gain flows from above; if you are the one above, give freely and it multiplies. Learn from what is working elsewhere and adopt it without pride. Move now; increase has a season and the sixth line warns of what happens to the one who hoards it.
What to Do
Undertake the great thing — now, while the flow of increase lasts. Give generously; that is how increase works. Copy what is good, drop what is not. Do not hoard the season.
Increase as a Yes or No
yes
Yes — the time is generous and everything furthers; act boldly while increase flows.
The Trigrams
Above: Wind (巽 Xùn) — the gentle — penetration, gradual influence, the eldest daughter.
Below: Thunder (震 Zhèn) — the arousing — movement, shock, the eldest son.
The Six Lines of Increase
Read when the line is moving (a 6 or 9 in the cast). Bottom line first.
- 1
Line 1 · yang
It furthers one to accomplish great deeds, supreme good fortune, no blame: help from above enables something large — do it.
- 2
Line 2 · yin
Someone does indeed increase him, ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it — constant perseverance brings good fortune; the king presents him before God, good fortune: unstoppable gain; stay steady.
- 3
Line 3 · yin
One is enriched through unfortunate events, no blame if you are sincere and walk in the middle: even a misfortune turns to gain when handled honestly.
- 4
Line 4 · yin
If you walk in the middle and report to the prince, he will follow — it furthers one to be used in the removal of the capital: your fair counsel is trusted for great decisions.
- 5
Line 5 · yang
If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not — supreme good fortune; truly, kindness will be recognised as your virtue: real generosity needs no reward and gets one anyway.
- 6
Line 6 · yang
He brings increase to no one, indeed someone even strikes him — he does not keep his heart constantly steady, misfortune: the one who takes without giving is struck.
Will Increase Appear in Your Cast?
Cast the coins on your own question — free, instant, with every moving line explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hexagram 42, Increase, mean?
The complement of Decrease: the upper gives to the lower, and everything grows. This is a season of gain, generosity, expansion — a ruler who sacrifices for the people and is loved for it, a time when undertakings succeed and the great water can be crossed. The hexagram is emphatic that the time is limited: increase is a flow, not a state. Act while it lasts. And the image gives the inner method: copy what is good, drop what is bad, without ego about either.
What does Increase mean in love?
Growth and generosity in love — a relationship deepening, someone giving freely, a new connection with real momentum. The hexagram says undertake the big thing: move in, commit, take the trip, have the conversation that expands the relationship. It also warns (line 6) against the one who only takes: increase flows when both give. Be generous now while the season is generous; it does not last forever.
What does Increase mean for career and money?
Expansion, investment, growth, a generous market or a generous mentor. The hexagram explicitly favours large undertakings and bold moves — cross the great water. The gain flows from above; if you are the one above, give freely and it multiplies. Learn from what is working elsewhere and adopt it without pride. Move now; increase has a season and the sixth line warns of what happens to the one who hoards it.
Is hexagram 42 a yes or a no?
Increase answers "yes". Yes — the time is generous and everything furthers; act boldly while increase flows.
Previous hexagram
41. Decrease
simplification
Next hexagram
43. Breakthrough
resolution
Last updated: August 30, 2026
Get Weekly Tarot Guidance
One card to guide your week — tarot wisdom in your inbox every Sunday.