Transformation · lines 3, 5, and 6
Passivity becomes Gradual Progress
What this change means
On the mountain there is a tree: three lines move, and the flat Earth rises in slow stages. Both judgments are held in balance. 2 Passivity says don't take the lead; accept guidance and keep going with patience. The resulting hexagram, 53 Gradual Progress, says progress will come step by step, through stages that make it lasting and stable, and that trying to speed it up will only bring delays. These are natural allies. Patience isn't just a virtue here; it's the method. Take one rung at a time. Let each stage settle before you reach for the next. Don't compare your pace with anyone else's. If others are guiding the larger direction, trust that and focus on doing your part well. Slow growth on solid ground tends to outlast quick gains on loose soil.
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 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.
- 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 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 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 trigrams
The way back
53 Gradual Progress → 2 Passivitylines 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Passivity
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, and 4
- 55Abundancelines 1, 3, and 4
- 32What Lastslines 2, 3, and 4
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 1, 3, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 3, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 3, 4, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 3, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 3, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 4, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 3, 4, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 5, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.