Transformation · lines 2 and 3
Treading Carefully becomes Gathering with Equals
What this change means
Fire rises under heaven as the second and third lines move together. The third, which leads, warns about confidence that outruns ability: like the one-eyed who think they see well, you could take on work you aren't ready for, and the result is misfortune. The second offers the counterweight, a level road walked alone with your projects, and steady good fortune for the one who keeps apart. The resulting hexagram, 13 Gathering with Equals, adds a turn. It's a time of meeting people of a nature like yours, with whom important work can be done on trust and mutual support, and large, innovative projects are favored. So the lesson isn't to stay small forever. It's to grow honestly. Work quietly until you know your true measure, then join with real equals who can share the load. Together, a task too big for one becomes possible.
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 10 Treading Carefully
By overestimating your abilities, you may take on tasks you're not prepared for.
The one-eyed can see, the lame can walk. Stepping on the tiger's tail, and it bites. Misfortune. A warrior acts for the great prince.
- 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.
- 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 13 Gathering with Equals
It's a time of meetings with people of a high nature like yours, with whom you can carry out important tasks and projects. Relationships built on trust and mutual support take shape. Large, innovative projects are favored.
Community in the open country. Success. It is favorable to cross the great river. The constancy of the noble person is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
13 Gathering with Equals → 10 Treading Carefullylines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 12Declinelines 1 and 2
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1 and 3
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 4
- 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.