Cambios

Transformation · lines 2 and 3

Initial Obstacles becomes Inaction

屯 3 Initial Obstacles 需 5 Inaction
Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Here the second and third lines move together, and the thunder at the base becomes heaven: strength gathers beneath the clouds, but the rain hasn't fallen yet. The third line leads with a clear warning. Running after your goal without guidance only takes you farther into the thicket; stepping back serves you better. The second line adds hope: you feel stuck and the team pulls in different directions, yet help is coming if you stay careful until you're secure.

The resulting hexagram, 5 Inaction, gives the attitude this calls for. It's time to wait, not to act, though waiting isn't idleness. Prepare for the active period ahead, see your situation without lying to yourself, and stay alert for the moment to move. A calm, relaxed stance tends to work better now than effort. Let the chase go, and trust that events follow their own course.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. The judgment of 5 Inaction

    It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.

    There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.

The trigrams

Below Thunder Heaven
Above Water stays

The way back

5 Inaction → 3 Initial Obstacles
lines 2 and 3

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.

Toss the coins