Transformation · lines 2, 3, 5, and 6
Initial Obstacles becomes Great Achievements
What this change means
Heaven held inside the mountain: as the second, third, fifth and top lines move, a great deal of strength gathers where it can be stored. Two still lines of 26 Great Achievements guide the reading. The first says to wait before acting, since haste won't turn out well. The fourth says that watching circumstances, spotting obstacles before they arise and preparing to meet them, leads to success.
Arriving from 3 Initial Obstacles, this is a promising but disciplined turn. The resulting hexagram favors bold, unusual action, the kind that takes you beyond what you think you can do. Before that, though, comes preparation. Study the ground, anticipate what could block you, and get your resources ready. Watch for leaping too soon. The big step is coming, and the time you spend getting ready now is what makes it work.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 26 Great Achievements, which stays still
Wait before acting for now; acting hastily won't turn out well.
There is danger. It is favorable to stop.
- Line 4 of 26 Great Achievements, which stays still
If you watch the circumstances and spot obstacles before they arise, preparing to overcome them when the time comes, you'll succeed.
The board on the calf's horns. Great good fortune.
- 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 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 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 26 Great Achievements
It's a good moment to leave your comfort zone and take on new actions, beyond what you think you can do. Heaven favors unusual actions that will lead you to success, because you have the qualities needed.
Constancy is favorable. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
26 Great Achievements → 3 Initial Obstacleslines 2, 3, 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
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 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.