Transformation · lines 1, 2, 5, and 6
Initial Obstacles becomes Immaturity
What this change means
Thunder becomes water, water becomes mountain, and a spring now breaks out at the foot of the heights: four lines move, the first, second, fifth and top. The reading falls to the still third and fourth lines of 4 Immaturity. The third warns against submitting to strong personalities who belittle you if you want to reach your aim. The fourth is blunt: dreaming without acting leads to failure.
Coming out of 3 Initial Obstacles, this is a call to grow up in your approach. You may still lack some experience, and asking for guidance is wise, but guidance isn't the same as giving yourself away to someone who diminishes you. Nor is waiting the same as wishing. Learn from people worth learning from, keep your dignity, and turn intentions into concrete steps. Watch for drifting in daydreams. Small, real actions matter more now than grand plans.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 4 Immaturity, which stays still
To get what you want, don't submit to strong personalities who belittle you.
Do not take this woman: at the sight of a man of gold, she is no longer her own. Nothing is favorable.
- Line 4 of 4 Immaturity, which stays still
Dreaming without acting leads you to failure.
Ignorance hemmed in. Distress.
- 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 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.
- Line 6 of 3 Initial Obstacles
Despite the obstacles, don't give up or lose heart.
The horses of the team pull apart. Weeping blood, in endless streams.
- The judgment of 4 Immaturity
Be aware that you don't yet have the maturity you need to reach what you're after in the area of your question. Act with humility: ask for guidance, seek advice and counsel, and put what you're told into practice.
Success. I do not go looking for the ignorant youth; the ignorant youth comes looking for me. The first time the oracle is asked, I answer. A second and a third asking is an offense, and an offense gets no answer. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
4 Immaturity → 3 Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Initial Obstacles
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 1Activitylines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.