What this change means
Water on the mountain, a steep path that keeps stopping you: four lines move, the second, third, fifth and top, and the still first and fourth lines of 39 Held Back guide the reading. The first says a strategic retreat in the face of obstacles helps you reflect, find new approaches, and act when conditions are right. The fourth says you won't get past the obstacles alone; return to steadier ground and look for support from like-minded people, and with their help you can succeed.
Coming from 4 Immaturity, both lines confirm what the starting hexagram already taught: you don't need to solve this by yourself. Pull back, think, and gather the right people around you. Watch for pushing on out of pride. A pause to regroup, plus real help, is how the way opens.
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 39 Held Back, which stays still
A strategic retreat in the face of obstacles will help you reflect, come up with new strategies, and act when conditions are right.
Going: hardship. Coming: praise.
- Line 4 of 39 Held Back, which stays still
You won't get past the obstacles on your own. It's time to return to more stable conditions and look for support from like-minded people; with their help you'll succeed.
Going: hardship. Coming: joined with others.
- 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 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 5 of 4 Immaturity
If you recognize your lack of knowledge in the area of your question and seek advice, you'll get good results.
A child's ignorance. Good fortune.
- 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 39 Held Back
Every time you advance, something blocks you, forcing you to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who give you their support. That way you'll get past the obstacles one by one until the final victory.
The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
39 Held Back → 4 Immaturitylines 2, 3, 5, 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
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 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
- 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.