Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Great Achievements becomes Success in Small Matters
What this change means
Thunder on the mountain: lines one, two, four and six move, and Great Achievements becomes 62 Success in Small Matters. The resulting hexagram's still lines give the guidance. The third warns that carelessness and excess bring trouble. The fifth says that humility helps you find people who will act on your behalf. The resulting hexagram says this isn't a time for great things but for small achievements, and that going beyond your present means wastes effort. That's a clear check on the ambition of Great Achievements. Scale your plans to what's possible now. Be careful and frugal, avoid overreaching, and let humility bring you the help you need. Others may carry part of the work better than you can alone. Small, careful steps now prepare the ground for larger ones later.
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 62 Success in Small Matters, which stays still
Carelessness and excess bring trouble.
Unless one goes beyond in guarding oneself, someone following will do harm. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 62 Success in Small Matters, which stays still
Your humility will help you find people who will act on your behalf.
Thick clouds, yet no rain, out of our western fields. The prince shoots a corded arrow and takes what is in the cave.
- The judgment of 26 Great Achievements
It's a good moment to leave your comfort zone and take on new actions, beyond what you think you can do. Heaven favors unusual actions that will lead you to success, because you have the qualities needed.
Constancy is favorable. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- Line 1 of 26 Great Achievements
Wait before acting for now; acting hastily won't turn out well.
There is danger. It is favorable to stop.
- Line 2 of 26 Great Achievements
Wait until conditions are right to act, because outside circumstances are holding you back.
The axle strap slips from the cart.
- Line 4 of 26 Great Achievements
If you watch the circumstances and spot obstacles before they arise, preparing to overcome them when the time comes, you'll succeed.
The board on the calf's horns. Great good fortune.
- Line 6 of 26 Great Achievements
Everything is in your favor right now; success is assured. You'll receive help from Heaven.
How wide the roads of heaven. Success.
- The judgment of 62 Success in Small Matters
This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
62 Success in Small Matters → 26 Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Great Achievements
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 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.