Transformation · lines 1 and 2
Decline becomes Treading Carefully
What this change means
The first and second lines move together, and the Earth at the base of Decline turns into a Lake below Heaven: 10 Treading Carefully. The second line leads. Surrounded by people and situations that don't favor you, hold your strength within; outward compliance may protect the small-minded, but it won't serve you. The first line supports it: recognize the decline, withdraw in time and warn others, and you're likely to succeed later, bringing your people along like roots that come up together. The resulting hexagram describes how to walk through the difficulty. Conduct yourself with awareness and gentleness, and even people who could block your way may give ground or become allies. So this isn't a time for confrontation. Keep your inner firmness, your outer manner soft, and your steps careful. Respect earns more than resistance in a narrow place like this one.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 12 Decline
Even when adverse people and situations surround you, keeping your strength inside helps you get through this moment.
Embracing and obeying. For the petty person, good fortune; for the great person, stagnation. Success.
- Line 1 of 12 Decline
If you recognize the decline and withdraw in time, warning others about it, you'll succeed later on.
The grass is pulled up, and its tangled roots come too, each with its clump. Constancy brings good fortune. Success.
- The judgment of 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
10 Treading Carefully → 12 Declinelines 1 and 2
Other transformations of Decline
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1 and 3
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2 and 3
- 42Increaselines 1 and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2 and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 3 and 4
- 21Bitinglines 1 and 5
- 64Transitionlines 2 and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 3 and 5
- 23The Falllines 4 and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1 and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2 and 6
- 31Attractionlines 3 and 6
- 8Unionlines 4 and 6
- 16Passionlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.