Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Nourishment becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder and rain break loose as four lines move, and what was held tight in the jaws starts to release. Its message comes through the lines of 40 Clearing Obstacles that remain still. The third warns that acting high-handed and boasting, exaggerating your achievements, draws quarrels and envy that can strip away what you've gained. The fifth calls for a decisive break from the wrong people and circumstances: ignore them, give them no attention, and build your inner strength instead. Nourishment adds its image of careful words, and here that's the key. Don't talk up what you've won. Quietly turn away from what drains you and feed what strengthens you. The resulting hexagram says the obstacles are falling one by one; keep your balance, and rest when you need it.
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 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
If you act high-handed and boast about your achievements, exaggerating them, you'll draw quarrels and envy that threaten to take away what you've gained.
Carries a load on the back and rides in a carriage: this brings raiders. Constancy brings distress.
- Line 5 of 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
It's time for decisive action that keeps you away from the wrong people and situations. You do this by ignoring them and paying them no attention while you build up your inner strength.
The noble person need only get free: good fortune. There is sincere trust, even before the petty person.
- The judgment of 27 Nourishment
Right now you need to take care of your physical and spiritual nourishment, so you have the resources you need in each area, and at the same time help others grow through what you do. Success lies in giving and receiving: take in what is good for you and share it with those around you.
Constancy brings good fortune. Watching the jaws; seeking for oneself what fills the mouth.
- Line 1 of 27 Nourishment
Being ungrateful for what you have and busying yourself envying what others have will hold back your achievements.
You let go of your sacred tortoise and watch my jaw working. Misfortune.
- Line 2 of 27 Nourishment
Expecting others to sort out your affairs and acting selfishly isn't favorable.
Jaws turned upside down: against the norm. Seeking sustenance from the hill. Setting out brings misfortune.
- Line 4 of 27 Nourishment
Getting the right nourishment for yourself and seeing how you can help others nourish themselves well brings you success and help.
Jaws upside down: good fortune. The tiger stares, intent and watchful; its desire chases on and on. No fault.
- Line 6 of 27 Nourishment
You gain the resources to take care of your own affairs, and you help others get theirs. This brings a great responsibility, but also great success.
From here comes sustenance. Danger; good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- The judgment of 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 27 Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Nourishment
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 1Activitylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 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.