Transformation · lines 1, 4, and 6
Initial Obstacles becomes Decline
What this change means
Heaven and earth pull away from each other: the first, fourth and top lines move, and the difficult start becomes a time when little connects. Three moving lines put the two judgments on equal footing. 3 Initial Obstacles already advised against direct action. It favors working through allies who represent you, with an eye kept on the moment you can reclaim the lead.
The resulting hexagram, 12 Decline, goes further: adverse people and situations surround you, and it's best not to get involved with them, whatever they offer. Conditions don't favor big decisions; it's a time to withdraw to safe ground, keep a low profile, and wait for change. Read together, the judgments ask you to choose your representatives with extra care, since the wrong ones could draw you in. Watch for tempting offers. Stay quiet, stay safe, and let the season turn.
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 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.
- The judgment of 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
- 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 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 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 trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 3 Initial Obstacleslines 1, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Initial Obstacles
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 2, and 3
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 2, and 4
- 31Attractionlines 1, 3, and 4
- 43Overflowinglines 2, 3, and 4
- 7The Armylines 1, 2, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 3, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 2, 3, and 5
- 16Passionlines 1, 4, and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2, 4, and 5
- 55Abundancelines 3, 4, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 3, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 3, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 4, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 3, 4, and 6
- 23The Falllines 1, 5, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 2, 5, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 3, 5, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.