Transformation · lines 1 and 4
Treading Carefully becomes Release from Obstacles
What this change means
Wind moves over the water as the fourth and first lines change, and the tension around the tiger's tail begins to loosen. The fourth line leads: in a risky venture, wary at every step, your inner firmness brings you through to good fortune. The first line supports it with a simple step away from attention, given to your own work. Together they suggest a quiet, careful courage, not a showy one. The resulting hexagram, 59 Release from Obstacles, shows what that courage can free. Obstacles can lift if you act sincerely and draw opposing sides toward shared goals, because the knot has formed out of selfishness. Humility helps, and so does moving with the current rather than against it. So keep your nerve, keep your profile low, and look for what you and the others have in common. That's where the blockage starts to dissolve.
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 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 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 59 Release from Obstacles
You can free yourself from the obstacles that hold you back if you're able to act sincerely and bring opposites together around shared goals. The tension has arisen because selfishness rules. To move forward, be humble and let the current carry you rather than going against it.
Success. The king goes to his temple. It is favorable to cross the great river. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
59 Release from Obstacles → 10 Treading Carefullylines 1 and 4
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 12Declinelines 1 and 2
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1 and 3
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2 and 3
- 42Increaselines 2 and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 3 and 4
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 5
- 21Bitinglines 2 and 5
- 14Wealthlines 3 and 5
- 41Decreaselines 4 and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2 and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 3 and 6
- 60Thriftlines 4 and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.