Transformation · lines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Passivity becomes Leaving Behind
What this change means
Under heaven, a mountain: the upper four lines move, and the Earth begins to withdraw. What guides you are the first and second lines of the resulting hexagram, 33 Leaving Behind, which stay as they are. The first says that when hard times make retreat unavoidable, holding back halfway, still hoping that road will pay off, brings losses; pull out quickly and decisively. The second says that leaving behind what doesn't serve you, and holding to what is fair and right, will bring you to your goals in the end. So a retreat is called for, and halfway won't do. Let go cleanly. Stop trying to rescue value from a path that's closing. Keep your principles intact as you go. Stepping back well tends to be how you recover your strength.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 33 Leaving Behind, which stays still
In hard times, when retreat can't be avoided, you'll suffer losses if you don't pull back quickly and actively and still hope to get something out of that road.
Retreating at the tail. Danger. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet.
- Line 2 of 33 Leaving Behind, which stays still
If you leave behind what doesn't serve you and hold fast to what is fair and right, you'll reach your goals in the end.
Bound with the hide of a yellow ox: no one can work it loose.
- The judgment of 2 Passivity
This is not the time to take the initiative to achieve things. It's better to let others guide you and to keep at your projects with patience.
Great success. The constancy of a mare is favorable. The noble person has somewhere to go: going ahead, they lose the way; following behind, they find someone to guide them. It is favorable to find friends in the southwest and to lose them in the northeast. Calm constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 2 Passivity
What you do with perseverance and without showing off will be appreciated and recognized.
Holding its brightness within; it can stay constant. If it serves in the king's affairs, no achievement of its own, but a good end.
- Line 4 of 2 Passivity
Staying away from the noise, out of sight, is the best way to get what you want.
A bag tied at the neck. No fault, no praise.
- Line 5 of 2 Passivity
Right now success depends on acting with reserve. Your light shines from within.
A yellow skirt. Great good fortune.
- Line 6 of 2 Passivity
It's not the time to lead; it's the time to follow. Trying to take a leading position now will bring retaliation on you that affects everyone.
Dragons fight in the open country. Their blood is dark and yellow.
- The judgment of 33 Leaving Behind
Leaving a path behind or stepping back right now isn't a bad thing. On the contrary, it will help you recover your strength and think carefully about the situation and how to set it right. Sometimes what looks like a loss turns into a gain, if you can let go of what isn't good for you and then pick up again in the right direction.
Success. In small things, constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
33 Leaving Behind → 2 Passivitylines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Passivity
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.