What this change means
What the fourth line asks is hard for many people: accept help now, even if it means setting your pride aside. As it moves, the water above becomes a lake, and the danger at the top of 3 Initial Obstacles softens into something you can approach. The old image shows a team of horses pulling apart and someone going out to seek a marriage; going brings good fortune, and nothing is unfavorable. In plain terms, the alliance you need is within reach if you're willing to ask for it.
The resulting hexagram, 17 Adapting, carries this forward. It's a time both to lead and to follow. When you see the place life is asking you to take, and act sincerely from there, your leadership and your support tend to grow together. Watch for the reflex to do everything alone. Saying yes to the right partner is the step forward here.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 3 Initial Obstaclesline 4
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.