Transformation · lines 3 and 4
Treading Carefully becomes Small Things
What this change means
Twice the tiger's tail is stepped on, and the two outcomes differ. The fourth line leads: in a risky venture, careful and wary, your inner strength carries you to good fortune. The third line is the warning beside it: overconfidence, taking on tasks you're not prepared for, and a bite. The difference lies in honesty about your limits and alertness to the danger. With these lines moving, the Lake below becomes Heaven and the Heaven above becomes Wind, and Treading Carefully turns into 9 Small Things. That resulting hexagram describes a promised success that isn't ripe yet, with obstacles still to resolve. Small actions now, larger ones when the moment comes. So keep the fourth line's caution and drop the third line's bravado. Take on only what you can really handle, prepare for the rest, and let the bigger move wait until conditions favor it.
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 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.
- 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 9 Small Things
You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.
Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.
The trigrams
The way back
9 Small Things → 10 Treading Carefullylines 3 and 4
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
- 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.