Transformation · lines 2 and 3
Inaction becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Sand and mud: the second and third lines move together, and Heaven below becomes Thunder, so the clouds that were waiting now rumble. The third line leads, and it warns against haste; stepping into the mud too quickly draws trouble toward you. The second line adds a quieter test. People may talk, and the right response is calm, since things tend to end well for those who don't take the bait.
The resulting hexagram, 3 Initial Obstacles, says direct action isn't the move right now. Find people who can act on your behalf, allies who represent you, while you stay alert for the moment to take back the initiative. That fits both lines: don't rush, don't react to talk, and let trusted others carry part of the load. Watch for the impulse to handle everything yourself, at once, under pressure.
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 5 Inaction
If you act in haste, you'll run into trouble.
Waiting in the mud. It brings the raiders on.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 5 Inactionlines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Inaction
- 39Held Backlines 1 and 2
- 29Waterlines 1 and 3
- 28Excesseslines 1 and 4
- 49Renewallines 2 and 4
- 58Inner Peacelines 3 and 4
- 46Going Uplines 1 and 5
- 36Darknesslines 2 and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 3 and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 4 and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1 and 6
- 37The Tribelines 2 and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 3 and 6
- 1Activitylines 4 and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.