What this change means
When the second and third lines move, the lower Water becomes Mountain, and the stream runs up against stone. The third line leads: you're between two hollows, the danger is deep, and this isn't the time to act. Stop, watch, and move only when you're sure. The second line adds that, even inside the pit, small efforts can bring small gains, so you're not completely stuck. The resulting hexagram, 39 Held Back, describes what this feels like from the inside: every time you advance, something blocks you. Its answer is to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who'll support you. Obstacles then fall one by one. So don't read the blocks as a verdict on you. Pause, collect small wins where you can, and turn toward people who share your aims. Patience and good company get you over this ridge.
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 29 Water
It's time to stop, watch and act only when you're sure that moving forward will lead to success. Ask for inner guidance.
Coming and going: pit and pit. Danger, and depth besides. Entering the bottom of the pit. Do not act.
- Line 2 of 29 Water
You're in a dangerous situation where you only get results in small matters. This isn't the time for great success.
In the pit there is danger. Seeking, a little is gained.
- The judgment of 29 Water
Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.
There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.
- The judgment of 39 Held Back
Every time you advance, something blocks you, forcing you to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who give you their support. That way you'll get past the obstacles one by one until the final victory.
The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
39 Held Back → 29 Waterlines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Water
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1 and 2
- 5Inactionlines 1 and 3
- 58Inner Peacelines 1 and 4
- 45Meetinglines 2 and 4
- 28Excesseslines 3 and 4
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1 and 5
- 2Passivitylines 2 and 5
- 46Going Uplines 3 and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 4 and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 1 and 6
- 20Observinglines 2 and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 3 and 6
- 6Conflictlines 4 and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.