What this change means
A mountain stands under heaven where the double pit was, now that the second, third, fourth and top lines move: it's time to step back. The still first and fifth lines of 33 Leaving Behind guide you. The first warns that when stepping back is unavoidable, a slow, reluctant withdrawal, still hoping to gain something from that road, brings losses. The fifth says that withdrawing at the right moment, on friendly terms with the people and circumstances you leave, brings success. So the way out of the obstacles here is an exit, done well. Don't drag your feet or linger for one last gain. Leave cleanly and graciously, without burning bridges. Stepping away now can help you recover your strength and see the situation clearly, so you can pick up again in a better direction.
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 33 Leaving Behind, which stays still
In hard times, when retreat can't be avoided, you'll suffer losses if you don't pull back quickly and actively and still hope to get something out of that road.
Retreating at the tail. Danger. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet.
- Line 5 of 33 Leaving Behind, which stays still
Withdrawing at the right moment, and doing it on friendly terms with the circumstances and the people you leave behind, will bring you success.
A fine retreat. Constancy brings good fortune.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 4 of 29 Water
Obstacles will be overcome now only if you open up to help that seems minor but will make the difference.
A jug of wine, a bowl of grain besides, in clay vessels. The simple offering passes in through the window. In the end, no fault.
- Line 6 of 29 Water
Trying to escape the obstacles, you get more tangled if you keep doing things the wrong way and side with the wrong people.
Bound with braided cords, set among thorn thickets; three years and no way out. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 33 Leaving Behind
Leaving a path behind or stepping back right now isn't a bad thing. On the contrary, it will help you recover your strength and think carefully about the situation and how to set it right. Sometimes what looks like a loss turns into a gain, if you can let go of what isn't good for you and then pick up again in the right direction.
Success. In small things, constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
33 Leaving Behind → 29 Waterlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Water
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 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.