Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Initial Obstacles becomes What Lasts
What this change means
Five of the six lines move, and only the top stays still; wind and thunder now share the figure, an image of motion that keeps going. With this much change, the still line of the resulting hexagram, 32 What Lasts, sets the tone. It warns that constant action with no room for rest or reflection leads to exhaustion and a standstill.
From the hard beginning of 3 Initial Obstacles, nearly everything is shifting, and the temptation is to keep moving because so much is happening. The resulting hexagram does call for steady action toward clear goals, so that achievements grow and last. But endurance depends on rhythm. Pauses aren't a betrayal of your goals; they're what allow you to keep pursuing them. Watch for burnout dressed up as commitment. Act, then rest, then act again, and what you build can stay standing.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 32 What Lasts, which stays still
If you're always acting without giving yourself time to reflect and rest, you'll end up exhausted and stuck.
Shaking duration. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
- Line 1 of 3 Initial Obstacles
It's time to let others act for you.
Hesitating, circling by the rock. Abiding in constancy is favorable. It is favorable to install lords.
- Line 2 of 3 Initial Obstacles
Obstacles are on the way, but help will come. Act with caution until you feel secure and can receive that help.
Stuck, turning in place; the horses of the team pull apart. Not a raider: someone come to ask for marriage. The young woman is constant and gives no promise; after ten years she gives it.
- Line 3 of 3 Initial Obstacles
Right now obstacles aren't solved by acting: they're solved by stepping back until conditions improve.
Chasing the deer with no gamekeeper, only going deeper into the forest. The noble person sees the sign and would rather let it go. Going on: distress.
- Line 4 of 3 Initial Obstacles
It's wise to accept help now, even if it means leaving your pride behind.
The horses of the team pull apart. Seeking marriage. Going brings good fortune. Nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 5 of 3 Initial Obstacles
Act with caution, step by step, without rushing.
Holding back its richness. In small things, constancy brings good fortune; in great things, even with constancy, misfortune.
- The judgment of 32 What Lasts
This moment asks you for action, not stillness. It asks you to have clear goals to head toward and to act in line with them. That way you'll achieve things, and your achievements will keep growing and will last.
Success. No fault. Constancy is favorable. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
32 What Lasts → 3 Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Initial Obstacles
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.