Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Inaction becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder and rain break loose: the first, third, fourth and fifth lines move, Heaven below becomes Water and the Water above becomes Thunder. The still lines of 40 Clearing Obstacles carry the reading. The second says that once obstacles are passed, flattery becomes a danger; resist it and bring what isn't right into the open, cleanly. The top line says that with a strengthened inner self, firm and decisive action gets you through to your purpose.
So the long wait ends in release, but release has its own trap. Don't let relief or praise make you careless. Clean up what's still wrong, without leaving loose ends, and when you act, act decisively. Watch for people who tell you only what you want to hear. Strength built in the waiting is what makes the decisive moment work.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
The obstacles are overcome; now you're easy prey for flattery. If you avoid falling for it and bring what isn't right into the open, cleanly and without a single flaw, you'll succeed.
On the hunt, catches three foxes and gains a yellow arrow. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 6 of 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
Once you've strengthened your inner self, you can get through the obstacles and achieve your purpose with firm, decisive action.
The duke shoots at a falcon on top of the high wall and hits it. Nothing that is not favorable.
- 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 3 of 5 Inaction
If you act in haste, you'll run into trouble.
Waiting in the mud. It brings the raiders on.
- Line 4 of 5 Inaction
Any kind of action will only make things worse.
Waiting in blood. Coming out of the pit.
- Line 5 of 5 Inaction
It's important to keep your goal, but relax, rest and watch without acting.
Waiting with wine and food. Constancy brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 5 Inactionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
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
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 4, 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.