Hexagram 42: Increase (Yi)
Hexagram 42, Increase, describes a period when growth becomes possible through generosity and shared effort. It suggests that gains are strongest when you give something useful to others and stay alert to your own mistakes. The reading is an invitation to build steadily rather than to wait for ideal conditions.
Wind (Xun) above Thunder (Zhen)
Growth · Generosity · Momentum · Renewal
What does hexagram 42 mean?
The traditional text says that this hexagram brings advantage in moving forward and that crossing a great river is beneficial. It frames increase as something given from above to below, so that whoever receives it is helped. In your own words, it encourages you to act while the forces of wind and thunder are working together. The reading is a reminder that growth tends to go best when it is shared.
The image
Wind and thunder support each other: thunder stirs to action while wind carries the effect far and wide. The traditional commentary says the superior person, seeing something good, moves toward it, and seeing a fault, corrects it without delay. This teaches you to let good ideas travel and to fix errors promptly, so that gains last instead of fading.
Increase in love
In relationships, this hexagram points toward generosity and mutual support, with each person giving freely so that both can grow. A real challenge is that giving can become one-sided if one partner quietly carries more of the load, so it helps to name what you need openly. Growth together works best when both people feel seen, not only when one gives more.
Increase for work and money
At work, the energy supports steady improvement, sharing credit, and building on skills you already have rather than chasing sudden leaps. With money, careful reinvestment and a clear budget can help what you have grow, though this is reflection rather than financial advice. Be aware that expansion can outpace your resources, so it is wise to pace yourself.
Changing lines
Changing lines in this hexagram usually point to the specific moment when increase is most useful, and to the way you receive help or take initiative. They often suggest adapting your approach to circumstances rather than forcing growth before the conditions are ready.
Advice
Choose one area where you can offer something useful this month and follow through on it steadily. Review your progress regularly so that small corrections stay small.