Transformation · lines 2, 3, 5, and 6

Gathering with Equals becomes A Subordinate Role

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Thunder over the lake, as four lines move and the fellowship shifts you into a secondary place. In 54 A Subordinate Role, the still lines hold the message. The first says that if you can keep to a supporting place, helping from the background without seeking attention, things will go well. The fourth says that patience will bring what you're hoping for, and bring it complete. So the community doesn't need you out in front right now. Serve where you are. Contribute what you can, quietly, and let others hold the visible roles. Don't take personal initiatives that would pull focus. Patience here isn't resignation: it's how the right outcome arrives at its proper time. Your contribution still counts, even when nobody sees whose hands did the work.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. Line 1 of 54 A Subordinate Role, which stays still

    If you know how to hold your subordinate place and stay in the background, helping from there however you can without seeking the spotlight, things will go well.

    The young woman marries as a second wife. The lame can walk. Setting out brings good fortune.

  2. Line 4 of 54 A Subordinate Role, which stays still

    If you know how to wait, you'll get what you want, and get it perfectly.

    The young woman lets the time for her wedding pass. A late marriage has its hour.

  3. 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.

  4. Line 2 of 13 Gathering with Equals

    If you join with people who try to exclude others, the projects won't move forward.

    Community within the clan. Distress.

  5. Line 3 of 13 Gathering with Equals

    If you let distrust grow in your relationships and let the people in them hide things from each other, your actions will fail.

    Hiding soldiers in the brush, climbing the high hill. For three years, no rising.

  6. Line 5 of 13 Gathering with Equals

    The big differences seem impossible to bridge; still, with patience and a willing heart, union returns.

    Community: first wailing and cries, then laughter. The great armies manage to meet.

  7. Line 6 of 13 Gathering with Equals

    You're in a favorable position from which you can reach agreements with all kinds of people.

    Community on the outskirts. No regret.

  8. The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role

    You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.

    Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.

The trigrams

Below Fire Lake
Above Heaven Thunder

The way back

54 A Subordinate Role → 13 Gathering with Equals
lines 2, 3, 5, and 6

Other transformations of Gathering with Equals

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

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