What this change means
Wind following wind: the third and fourth lines move, and above and below, 6 Conflict softens into the same gentle current. The fourth leads. It asks you to accept the adverse conditions without resisting, to stay flexible and to hold a calm steadiness, and it says this tends to bring success right inside the difficulty. The third line adds a firm floor: what you gained honestly can't be taken, so gossip needn't scare you.
The resulting hexagram, 57 Gentleness, says gains come through gentleness now, not pressure or force. Choose a path and keep to it steadily; small actions add up, and support from those above helps. So bend, but don't break. Keep your record as your anchor and let softness do the work. Watch for using force to defend what doesn't need defending.
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 6 Conflict
Accepting the adverse conditions of this moment without fighting them, and staying flexible, will lead you to success in the middle of difficulties.
Unable to win the lawsuit. Turning back, accepting the decree, changing. Calm constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 6 Conflict
What you've gained honestly can't be taken from you. Even if gossip comes up, don't be intimidated; hold firm.
Feeding on old virtue. Constancy is in danger; in the end, good fortune. If it serves in the king's affairs, no achievement of its own.
- The judgment of 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
- The judgment of 57 Gentleness
It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.
Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.
The trigrams
The way back
57 Gentleness → 6 Conflictlines 3 and 4
Other transformations of Conflict
- 25Innocencelines 1 and 2
- 1Activitylines 1 and 3
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2 and 3
- 61Inner Integritylines 1 and 4
- 20Observinglines 2 and 4
- 38Oppositeslines 1 and 5
- 35Advancelines 2 and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3 and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 4 and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1 and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2 and 6
- 28Excesseslines 3 and 6
- 29Waterlines 4 and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.