Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Treading Carefully becomes Union
What this change means
Water over the earth: four lines move, and the still third and fifth lines of 8 Union give the guidance. The third warns that you tend to choose your partners badly; avoid shallow alliances that won't bear fruit. The fifth says those who can help you will come naturally, so stop seeking help from someone reluctant to give it. From Treading Carefully, then, this movement turns to the question of who walks with you. Success depends on joining people aligned with your project, and on having the qualities to carry it yourself. The danger is picking companions out of need or haste. So be selective. Let go of alliances that look useful but lack depth, and don't chase reluctant supporters. Keep your conduct good, and the right people tend to find their way to you.
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 8 Union, which stays still
You tend to choose badly the people you join with. Avoid shallow alliances that won't bear good fruit.
Joining with those who are not the right ones.
- Line 5 of 8 Union, which stays still
Those who can help you will come naturally. Don't keep seeking help from someone who is reluctant to give it.
Open union. The king hunts, driving from three sides, and lets the game in front escape. The townspeople are not alarmed. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
- Line 1 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're in a position out of view that will let you focus on your projects.
A plain step. Going: no fault.
- Line 2 of 10 Treading Carefully
Staying on your own with your projects, for now, will lead you to success.
Treading a level, open road. For one who lives apart, constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 4 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're getting involved in a risky venture, but your inner strength and firmness will help you succeed.
Stepping on the tiger's tail. Wary, wary; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 6 of 10 Treading Carefully
If you watch for the favorable signs to know when to act, and then act decisively, you'll succeed.
Looking back over the steps taken, examining the signs. If it turns back on itself: great good fortune.
- The judgment of 8 Union
Right now success lies in joining with people who are aligned with your project and who are a support for you. But it's important that you, too, have the qualities needed to carry it out; that's why you can toss the coins once more to find out whether you have those qualities.
Good fortune. Consult the oracle again: great and lasting constancy. No fault. The restless come from every side. The one who comes late: misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
8 Union → 10 Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 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.