Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Small Things becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder and rain break loose as five lines move, leaving only the second unchanged. In 40 Clearing Obstacles, that still line warns that once obstacles are overcome you're easy prey for flattery; avoid falling for it, and expose what's wrong openly and with clean hands, and you'll succeed. The clouds of Small Things finally break here. The obstacles have fallen one by one, and the time asks for balance: act quickly and decisively where you can, without overrating your abilities, and rest or even step back if you need to. So stay alert to praise that's too sweet, especially from people who want something. Clean up what's still crooked in your affairs while you have momentum. This release is a good moment, but it rewards a clear head more than celebration.
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.
- The judgment of 9 Small Things
You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.
Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.
- Line 1 of 9 Small Things
What's called for now is to fall back to situations where you have more control. This isn't a loss: it's a smart move.
Returning by its own way. What fault could there be? Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 9 Small Things
Trying to advance at any cost only brings bigger obstacles from outside.
The spokes come loose from the cart. Husband and wife glare at each other.
- Line 4 of 9 Small Things
If you act fairly, you may meet difficulties at first, but little by little the obstacles will fade until you reach your goal.
There is sincere trust. The blood goes, the fear leaves. No fault.
- Line 5 of 9 Small Things
Allying with others and being loyal in that alliance will bring success.
There is sincere trust, bound together as by a cord. Growing rich alongside the neighbor.
- Line 6 of 9 Small Things
You get what you want thanks to step-by-step work. Still, don't rest on your laurels: you have to stay constant and keep working little by little.
The rain has come, the rest has come. Virtue has piled up like a load. The wife's constancy is in danger. The moon is nearly full. For the noble person, setting out brings misfortune.
- 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 → 9 Small Thingslines 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Small Things
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.