Transformation · lines 1, 4, and 6
Treading Carefully becomes Water
What this change means
Water upon water: the first, fourth and top lines move, and the lake becomes a double gorge. With three changing lines, the two judgments weigh equally. The first is about a hard passage made through good conduct: mindful steps that leave even opponents willing to make room. The resulting hexagram, 29 Water, describes obstacles coming one after another, and the way through them is like a stream's: keep moving and follow your course, because fear that freezes you only leaves you stuck. Together they turn the careful walk into a long passage through difficulty. The danger isn't one tiger but a series of hard places. Don't stop to dread each one. Keep your conduct steady and your pace even. Move carefully, but keep moving. Consistency is what carries water through rock.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 29 Water
Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.
There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
29 Water → 10 Treading Carefullylines 1, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, and 3
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 3, and 4
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, and 4
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 2, 3, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 4, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 3, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 1, 3, and 6
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 5, and 6
- 51Shocklines 2, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 3, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.