Transformation · lines 1, 2, 5, and 6

Treading Carefully becomes Passion

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Thunder rises from the earth: as four lines change, the third and fourth lines of 16 Passion hold still and carry the counsel. The third says success lies in knowing how to act at the right moment. The fourth says that with enough passion and drive for your work, you won't have to ask for help; it comes on its own. From Treading Carefully, this movement leads to a time of passionate drive, when your energy can spread to others and carry big projects, as long as you also keep their needs in mind. So timing and genuine enthusiasm are the keys. Don't spend your passion before the moment is right. Let your commitment be real rather than performed, and support tends to follow. The care you showed in a tight spot now becomes care for the people working with you.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. Line 3 of 16 Passion, which stays still

    Success lies in knowing how to act at the right moment.

    Delight that looks upward: regret. Delay brings regret.

  2. Line 4 of 16 Passion, which stays still

    When you're passionate and motivated enough about what you do, you don't need to ask anyone for help: help will come naturally.

    The source of delight: great gain. Do not doubt. Friends gather like hair in a clasp.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Line 5 of 10 Treading Carefully

    If you're aware of the danger in going ahead and you act with caution, you'll succeed.

    A resolute step. Constancy is in danger.

  7. 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.

  8. The judgment of 16 Passion

    A time of passionate drive toward action. You can pass this passion on to others to gain their help, which lets you take on big projects with resolve and optimism. For these ventures to succeed and last, you can't look after only your own interests; you also need to keep in mind the needs of the people working with you.

    It is favorable to install lords and set the army in motion.

The trigrams

Below Lake Earth
Above Heaven Thunder

The way back

16 Passion → 10 Treading Carefully
lines 1, 2, 5, and 6

Other transformations of Treading Carefully

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins