Transformation · lines 1, 2, 5, and 6
Fleeting Success becomes Observing
What this change means
Over the earth the wind now moves as four lines change: the first, second, fifth and top. The two still lines of 20 Observing guide the reading. The third says that watching yourself, along with the signs coming from outside, gives you a full view and lets you decide whether to advance or pull back. The fourth says you can see things wisely and bring light where there's darkness, and that this earns recognition.
The good season of the starting hexagram turns here into a time to look before you move. Your clarity is a resource, for you and for others. Take stock honestly, inside and out, then choose your direction. Share what you see when it helps. Watch for acting on momentum alone or ignoring the signs because things feel favorable; observation now is what lets you advance or withdraw at the right moment.
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 20 Observing, which stays still
Observing yourself, along with the signs coming from outside, will give you a full view of the situation and let you decide whether to advance or pull back.
Contemplating my own life: advancing or withdrawing.
- Line 4 of 20 Observing, which stays still
You can look at things with wisdom and bring light where there is darkness. This will bring you recognition.
Contemplating the light of the kingdom. It is favorable to be the king's guest.
- 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 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 20 Observing
Observe before you act. Right now you're a source of inspiration for others, and at the same time you need to observe those who inspire you. This will let things unfold at the right moment, and perfectly.
Hands washed, the offering not yet made. There is sincere trust, solemn and grave.
The trigrams
The way back
20 Observing → 19 Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Fleeting Success
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.