Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
Fleeting Success becomes Gradual Progress
What this change means
A tree grows on the mountain as five lines move and only the fourth stays still. That still line of 53 Gradual Progress carries the reading: in the middle of your progress, situations arise that are beyond your control. Don't despair; act cautiously and respond wisely, and you'll stay safe while conditions improve.
Nearly the whole good season of the starting hexagram shifts here into slow, staged growth. The resulting hexagram says progress comes step by step, and trying to rush it brings delays. So expect interruptions, and treat them as part of the climb. Respond to each one carefully rather than forcing through, and keep going one rung at a time. Watch for despair when something outside your control disrupts the plan; caution and a wise response keep you safe, and the gradual path keeps moving once conditions improve.
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 53 Gradual Progress, which stays still
In the middle of your progress, situations come up that are out of your control. Don't despair: act with caution and respond wisely to these obstacles. That way you'll stay safe while conditions improve.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the tree. Perhaps it finds a flat branch. No fault.
- The judgment of 19 Fleeting Success
A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.
- Line 1 of 19 Fleeting Success
If you join with the right people, you'll have support and backing when the decline comes.
Drawing near together. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 2 of 19 Fleeting Success
Recognizing that every situation is impermanent will let you move through each phase not from fear, but trusting that you have what you need to get through it.
Drawing near together. Good fortune; nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 3 of 19 Fleeting Success
Relying too much on favorable situations will lead you to inertia and loss. If you react early, you can recover.
Drawing near with sweetness. Nothing is favorable. Once grieved by it, no fault.
- Line 5 of 19 Fleeting Success
Surrounding yourself with capable collaborators and respecting what they do, encouraging their autonomy, will bring you a stable achievement.
Drawing near with wisdom: what befits the great ruler. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 19 Fleeting Success
Being generous in times of power and plenty, helping others improve, will keep your success going.
Drawing near with generosity. Good fortune, no fault.
- The judgment of 53 Gradual Progress
You'll make progress, and it will come step by step, gradually, through stages that make it lasting and stable. Trying to speed things up will bring delays and obstacles. Keep at it, one rung at a time.
The woman goes to be married: good fortune. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
53 Gradual Progress → 19 Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Fleeting Success
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.