What this change means
Light sinks below the earth: four lines move, the three at the base and the top, and the still fourth and fifth lines of 36 Darkness carry the reading. The fourth says you'll be able to see the causes of the hard situations you face, and that this lets you act fast and withdraw to safety before adversity takes over. The fifth says that for now you can't move to better circumstances, so you stay where you are, with your mind on your goal and a low profile.
From the learner's position of 4 Immaturity, these lines ask for a kind of quiet intelligence. Understand what's really happening, act on it where you can, and where you can't, stay put without drawing attention. Watch for showing your hand. Keep your aim clear, your head down, and your understanding growing until the light returns.
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 36 Darkness, which stays still
You'll be allowed to see the causes of the hard situations you're facing. This will help you act quickly and withdraw to safe ground before adversity takes complete control.
It enters the left side of the belly; it reaches the heart of the wounded light and goes out through the courtyard gate.
- Line 5 of 36 Darkness, which stays still
For now you can't withdraw to better circumstances, so you have to stay where you are, with your mind fixed on your goal and a low profile so you don't draw attention.
The wounded light of Jizi. Constancy is favorable.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 4 Immaturity
You'll receive help, but you have to apply what you're told. Choose guides who demand a lot of you without being domineering.
To wake the ignorant, it is favorable to use punishment and to take off the shackles. Going on this way: distress.
- Line 2 of 4 Immaturity
It's time to cultivate yourself inwardly; then your worth will show on the outside.
Embracing the ignorant: good fortune. Taking a wife: good fortune. The son can hold up the house.
- Line 3 of 4 Immaturity
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 6 of 4 Immaturity
Accepting the consequences of your actions and correcting what's needed will help you right now.
Striking the ignorant. Being a raider is not favorable; stopping the raider is favorable.
- The judgment of 36 Darkness
It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.
Constancy in hardship is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
36 Darkness → 4 Immaturitylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Immaturity
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 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.