Transformation · line 2
Innocence becomes Treading Carefully
What this change means
Plowing without staring at the harvest: that's what the moving second line asks. Do the work for its own sake, without counting what you'll get, and then going somewhere becomes favorable. As Thunder below turns into Lake, Innocence becomes 10 Treading Carefully, heaven above a calm lake, a hexagram about moving through a difficult situation with awareness and a light touch. The two fit well. Someone who isn't grasping at results walks more gently, and gentleness disarms people who might otherwise stand in your way. If you're facing a delicate moment, put your attention on doing the next task well rather than on the reward or on winning. Move with care, read the ground, and stay courteous with possible rivals. They may give ground, and some could even become allies. What's asked of you is clean effort and careful steps, not calculation.
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 25 Innocence
Doing your work without thinking about what you'll get from it is the way to succeed.
Not plowing with the harvest in mind, not clearing land with the ripe field in mind: then it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- The judgment of 25 Innocence
If you act with a pure heart, free of hidden motives and without straying from what is right, true to original human nature, you'll let the blessings of heaven reach you. Otherwise you'll meet obstacles and your affairs will become difficult.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. If it is not upright, there is calamity. It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
10 Treading Carefully → 25 Innocenceline 2
Other transformations of Innocence
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.