Transformation · lines 1, 3, 5, and 6
Coming Back becomes Gradual Progress
What this change means
A tree grows on the mountain as four lines move: Coming Back becomes 53 Gradual Progress. The still second and fourth lines of the resulting hexagram guide the reading. The second speaks of nothing spectacular, but of a first success along the way, enough to rest and recharge before going on. The fourth says that in the middle of progress, things may arise that are beyond your control; don't despair, act with caution and respond wisely, and you'll stay safe while conditions improve. That's a realistic map of a return. Expect a modest first win, and take the rest it offers. Expect surprises too. When they come, don't panic or force them. Step carefully, respond with good sense, and keep climbing one rung at a time.
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 53 Gradual Progress, which stays still
You'll have a first success as you move forward. Nothing spectacular, but it will let you rest and recharge to keep going.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the boulder. It eats and drinks with joy. Good fortune.
- 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 24 Coming Back
After a period of adversity and darkness, the return comes. Still, be aware of the mistakes that led you into the dark, because if you repeat them you could fall again. People will come to help you, and your undertakings and projects will be favored.
Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends arrive, no fault. Back and forth along its way: in seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 1 of 24 Coming Back
Success lies in doing things at the perfect time: watch the signs and act on them.
Returning from not far, without coming to regret. Great good fortune.
- Line 3 of 24 Coming Back
If you act with insecurity, going forward and back and repeating past mistakes, you'll stray from the path and from right action.
Returning again and again. Danger; no fault.
- Line 5 of 24 Coming Back
Acting without delay, recognizing past mistakes and correcting them, will lead you to sure success.
A generous return. No regret.
- Line 6 of 24 Coming Back
If you let opportunities slip by and don't act at the right moment, it will no longer be possible to put things back in order, and you'll have to wait for new options to appear, which may take some time.
A lost return. Misfortune; there is calamity and ruin. If armies are set marching, in the end there will be a great defeat that reaches the ruler of the country. Misfortune. Not for ten years can a campaign be undertaken.
- 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 → 24 Coming Backlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Coming Back
- 32What Lastslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 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.