Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 6
Excesses becomes Release from Obstacles
What this change means
Wind moves over water as the third, fourth and top lines change, and what was pressing down begins to scatter. The two judgments carry equal weight. Excesses says the load is beyond normal, so you need firmer foundations and new approaches, or you risk losing what you've won. The resulting hexagram, 59 Release from Obstacles, says you can free yourself from what holds you back by acting sincerely and drawing opposites together around shared goals, since selfishness has caused the tension; be humble and let the current carry you. Together they locate the excess in egos. Part of the weight on this structure is competing self-interest. Lighten it by finding the common aim, speaking honestly, and giving up some of your own position. When people pull together, the pressure tends to dissolve.
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 28 Excesses
You're in a situation that calls for extraordinary measures to keep what you've achieved from collapsing. Check and strengthen the foundations that hold up your projects, take innovative action and step out of your comfort zone. That way your success is assured; otherwise, loss can't be avoided.
The ridgepole sags. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Success.
- The judgment of 59 Release from Obstacles
You can free yourself from the obstacles that hold you back if you're able to act sincerely and bring opposites together around shared goals. The tension has arisen because selfishness rules. To move forward, be humble and let the current carry you rather than going against it.
Success. The king goes to his temple. It is favorable to cross the great river. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 3 of 28 Excesses
Acting hastily and not listening to advice will lead you to loss, because in the end no one will want to help you.
The ridgepole sags. Misfortune.
- Line 4 of 28 Excesses
You can receive help from those under you now, but if you take advantage of it and there's no balance between giving and receiving, they'll withdraw their support and there will be loss.
The ridgepole rises. Good fortune. If there is something else, distress.
- Line 6 of 28 Excesses
When, despite the drawbacks, you decide to take on extraordinary undertakings, you'll be exposed to danger and loss, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you did everything in your power.
Wading too far, the water closes over the crown of the head. Misfortune. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
59 Release from Obstacles → 28 Excesseslines 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Excesses
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, and 4
- 60Thriftlines 1, 3, and 4
- 8Unionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 3, and 5
- 16Passionlines 2, 3, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 4, and 5
- 7The Armylines 3, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 4, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 4, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 5, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 5, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 3, 5, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.