Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 6
Great Achievements becomes A Subordinate Role
What this change means
Thunder above the lake: lines three, four and six move, the lower Heaven turns to Lake, the upper Mountain to Thunder, and the result is 54 A Subordinate Role. Both judgments count equally here. The starting hexagram favors bold initiative and crossing great waters. The resulting hexagram says the opposite for now: you have to take second place, personal initiative tends to fail, and recognizing the moment is all you can do until things change. The tension is real. Your capacity is great, but your position isn't yet. Don't force your initiative; serve well from where you are. Keep the long view and notice what wears relationships down. Use this time to store up skill and goodwill. When your position improves, the bold step will have firmer ground.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
- Line 3 of 26 Great Achievements
The way is clearing little by little, and it's time to act; still, watch for situations that force you to stop at certain moments. At those times, keep preparing for when it's time to move forward.
Good horses in pursuit. Constancy in hardship is favorable. Each day, drill with the chariot and in defense. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
54 A Subordinate Role → 26 Great Achievementslines 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Great Achievements
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, and 3
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, and 4
- 64Transitionlines 1, 3, and 4
- 21Bitinglines 2, 3, and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 5
- 42Increaselines 2, 3, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2, 4, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 3, 4, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, and 6
- 7The Armylines 1, 3, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 3, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 4, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 3, 5, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.