Transformation · lines 1, 2, and 4
Activity becomes Gradual Progress
What this change means
Three lines move, and the double Heaven becomes a tree on a mountain: Wind above, Mountain below. With three moving, both judgments carry equal weight. 1 Activity brings the creative drive, the energy of beginnings, the qualities that see a project through. The resulting hexagram, 53 Gradual Progress, says how that drive should be spent: step by step, through stages that make the result stable. Trying to speed things up will tend to bring delays and obstacles. The two readings don't contradict each other. Your strength is the fuel; patience is the road. Set a pace you can keep, and treat each stage as complete in itself before reaching for the next. A tree grows on a mountain slowly, but it holds. Keep at it, one rung at a time, and let the steady rhythm do what a burst of effort couldn't.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- The judgment of 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
- The judgment of 53 Gradual Progress
You'll make progress, and it will come step by step, gradually, through stages that make it lasting and stable. Trying to speed things up will bring delays and obstacles. Keep at it, one rung at a time.
The woman goes to be married: good fortune. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 1 of 1 Activity
It's not yet time to act.
A dragon under the water. Do not act.
- Line 2 of 1 Activity
It's time to talk with the people who can help you.
The dragon shows itself in the field. It is favorable to see the great person.
- Line 4 of 1 Activity
It's time to decide whether you want to keep moving forward or stop.
Perhaps it leaps in the abyss. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
53 Gradual Progress → 1 Activitylines 1, 2, and 4
Other transformations of Activity
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, and 3
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 4
- 42Increaselines 2, 3, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1, 3, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 2, 3, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 4, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 3, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 3, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 3, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 4, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 3, 4, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 5, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 3, 5, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.