What this change means
Only the third line holds still as the other five move, and the figure becomes a spring breaking out beneath a mountain. That still line of 4 Immaturity gives the reading: reaching your goal means refusing to bow to forceful people who make you feel small. Coming out of a hexagram about following, that's an important limit. Adapting doesn't mean bowing to anyone who's forceful. The resulting hexagram asks you to see that you don't yet have the maturity your goal requires, and to act with humility: look for guidance, ask for counsel, and put what you learn into practice. The two fit together. Learn from people who teach well, and walk away from those who simply diminish you. Humility before a good teacher is strength. Humility before someone who belittles you only keeps you small.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 4 Immaturity, which stays still
To get what you want, don't submit to strong personalities who belittle you.
Do not take this woman: at the sight of a man of gold, she is no longer her own. Nothing is favorable.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 17 Adapting
Being able to yield, listen and accept opinions different from yours will lead you to success.
The post changes. Constancy brings good fortune. Going out the gate to deal with others bears fruit.
- Line 2 of 17 Adapting
Choosing very carefully who you surround yourself with makes your projects succeed.
Cling to the boy, lose the grown man.
- Line 4 of 17 Adapting
Don't tie yourself to situations and people out of comfort or habit. Knowing how to choose who you keep around you, and stepping away from those you can tell aren't right, brings success.
Following brings a catch. Even with constancy, misfortune. There is sincere trust on the way; with clarity, what fault could there be?
- Line 5 of 17 Adapting
If a larger purpose drives you, a dream that inspires you, you'll get what you want.
Trust in what is good. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 17 Adapting
You can win followers and support; even the most powerful people back you and recognize you.
Seized and bound, then tied fast still more. The king makes his offering on the western mountain.
- The judgment of 4 Immaturity
Be aware that you don't yet have the maturity you need to reach what you're after in the area of your question. Act with humility: ask for guidance, seek advice and counsel, and put what you're told into practice.
Success. I do not go looking for the ignorant youth; the ignorant youth comes looking for me. The first time the oracle is asked, I answer. A second and a third asking is an offense, and an offense gets no answer. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
4 Immaturity → 17 Adaptinglines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Adapting
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.