Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Inaction becomes Leaving Behind
What this change means
A mountain stands under heaven: four lines move, the first, second, fourth and top, and guidance comes from two still lines of 33 Leaving Behind. The third says that if, just as you're leaving, circumstances tempt you to stay, you'll need allies to make even modest progress. The fifth says that withdrawing at the right moment, on good terms with the people and situations you leave, brings success.
So the waiting of 5 Inaction ends in a departure. Something is ready to be left behind, and the way you leave matters. Go cleanly and kindly, without bitterness and without lingering. Watch for second thoughts that keep you half in and half out. A graceful exit tends to preserve what was good and leaves the door open for what comes next.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 33 Leaving Behind, which stays still
If, just as you're leaving something behind, you still let circumstances tempt you to stay, you'll need to find allies to make even a little progress.
A tethered retreat. There is sickness, danger. Keeping servants and maids: good fortune.
- Line 5 of 33 Leaving Behind, which stays still
Withdrawing at the right moment, and doing it on friendly terms with the circumstances and the people you leave behind, will bring you success.
A fine retreat. Constancy brings good fortune.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 5 Inaction
You still have control over the situation. It's time to act in a relaxed way, while keeping an eye on what's happening.
Waiting on the outskirts. It is favorable to hold steady. No fault.
- Line 2 of 5 Inaction
Stay calm even if gossip comes up.
Waiting on the sand. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 4 of 5 Inaction
Any kind of action will only make things worse.
Waiting in blood. Coming out of the pit.
- Line 6 of 5 Inaction
At a moment when everything seems to be against you, help appears that will resolve the situation.
Into the pit. Three guests come without being called; receiving them with respect brings good fortune at last.
- The judgment of 33 Leaving Behind
Leaving a path behind or stepping back right now isn't a bad thing. On the contrary, it will help you recover your strength and think carefully about the situation and how to set it right. Sometimes what looks like a loss turns into a gain, if you can let go of what isn't good for you and then pick up again in the right direction.
Success. In small things, constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
33 Leaving Behind → 5 Inactionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Inaction
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 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.