Transformation · lines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Great Achievements becomes Renewal
What this change means
Fire in the lake: lines two, four, five and six move, and Great Achievements becomes 49 Renewal. The first and third lines of the resulting hexagram stay still and give the guidance. The first says not to hurry the change, but to wait for favorable conditions and for clarity about what needs renewing. The third says neither dragging things out nor hurrying is right now; ask for signs, so you act at the right moment. The resulting hexagram describes a time of shedding the skin, letting go of what no longer works and timing each step precisely. Great Achievements adds strength and preparation. Change is coming, and you can carry it. Get clear first, watch for the right moment, and then let go of the old cleanly to make room for the new.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 49 Renewal, which stays still
Don't rush into changes. Wait until conditions are favorable and you're clear about what you want to renew.
Bound fast with the hide of a yellow ox.
- Line 3 of 49 Renewal, which stays still
Neither dragging things out nor acting in too much of a hurry is the right way to go about it now. Ask for signs, so you act at the right moment.
Setting out brings misfortune. Constancy is in danger. When word of the change has come round three times, there is sincere trust.
- 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 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 5 of 26 Great Achievements
Facing the situations and people trying to stop you, not head-on but cleverly, ensures your success.
The tusks of a gelded boar. 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 49 Renewal
You're in a time of renewal, like shedding a skin. Open yourself to change and to new ways of doing things. Success lies in taking each step at exactly the right moment, and in weighing what needs to change and what doesn't, what is no longer doing its job. Don't be afraid to let it go: you need to make room for the new to arrive.
When the day has come, there is trust. Great success. Constancy is favorable. Regret vanishes.
The trigrams
The way back
49 Renewal → 26 Great Achievementslines 2, 4, 5, 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
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 4, 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
- 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.