Transformation · lines 2, 3, and 6
Treading Carefully becomes Renewal
What this change means
Fire in the middle of the lake: the second, third and top lines move, and the careful walk turns into a shedding of skin. With three lines changing, both judgments speak equally. In the starting one, the tiger's tail lies under your foot and it doesn't bite, because you tread with care. The resulting hexagram, 49 Renewal, calls for opening to change and new ways of doing things, taking each step at the right moment, and letting go of what no longer does its job, to make room for what's new. Together they describe change carried out carefully. Transformation here isn't a revolt; it's a precise, well-timed release. Look at what has worn out in your situation, and let it go without drama. Keep treating people with respect as things shift. Timing and tact matter as much as the change itself.
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 49 Renewal
You're in a time of renewal, like shedding a skin. Open yourself to change and to new ways of doing things. Success lies in taking each step at exactly the right moment, and in weighing what needs to change and what doesn't, what is no longer doing its job. Don't be afraid to let it go: you need to make room for the new to arrive.
When the day has come, there is trust. Great success. Constancy is favorable. Regret vanishes.
- 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 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 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
49 Renewal → 10 Treading Carefullylines 2, 3, 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
- 29Waterlines 1, 4, 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.