Transformation · lines 2 and 6
Treading Carefully becomes Adapting
What this change means
Thunder settles into the lake, the image of resting when evening comes, as the sixth and second lines move. The top line leads: look back over the road, examine the signs, and act firmly when they favor you. The second line adds a level road walked alone, with constancy rewarded; working on your own projects for now leads to success. The resulting hexagram, 17 Adapting, describes a time to both lead and follow. If you see the place life is asking you to take and act genuinely from there, your leadership and support both grow. So the solitary walk prepares you for a wider role. Read the signs to know when to step forward and when to step back. Don't cling to independence when the moment asks you to follow, and don't hang back when it asks you to lead.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 10 Treading Carefullylines 2 and 6
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 12Declinelines 1 and 2
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1 and 3
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2 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
- 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.