What this change means
Wind following wind replaces the double flame as the first, second, fourth and fifth lines move: brightness becomes persistence. The still third and top lines of 57 Gentleness give the guidance. The third warns that thinking about what to do without deciding to do it will only delay your success. The top line warns that losing heart and dropping the project because you don't see results yet will cost you what you've gained. So the gentleness asked for here isn't hesitation. Choose a path, commit to it, and keep going softly but steadily, even when progress is hard to see. Watch for two opposite traps: endless deliberation, and giving up too soon. Small actions that pile up, with support from those above you, are what bring this kind of success.
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 57 Gentleness, which stays still
Thinking about what to do without making up your mind to do what needs doing will only delay your success.
Yielding again and again. Distress.
- Line 6 of 57 Gentleness, which stays still
If you lose heart and drop the project because you don't see results yet, you'll lose what you've gained.
Yielding beneath the bed. Loses goods and axe. Even with constancy, misfortune.
- The judgment of 30 The Flame
There's clarity in what you do: your inner self guides you toward your goals. A generous attitude helps you, one that leads you to share your light, and this will increase your gains and achievements.
Constancy is favorable. Success. Raising a cow brings good fortune.
- Line 1 of 30 The Flame
Right now it's important to stay calm and focused on your projects, without getting swept up in the noise around you.
Footsteps crossing every which way. With reverence, no fault.
- Line 2 of 30 The Flame
Perseverance and a connection with what is right, as you follow your inner guidance, will bring you achievement and brilliance.
Yellow radiance. Great good fortune.
- Line 4 of 30 The Flame
A quick rise, unless your inner strength and steadiness feed it, will be short-lived.
Suddenly, so it comes: blazing, dying, cast away.
- Line 5 of 30 The Flame
After a rise, expect a decline. If you stand firm and understand that this is life's natural rhythm, you'll recover.
Tears pouring down in streams, sighs of sorrow. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 57 Gentleness
It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.
Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.
The trigrams
The way back
57 Gentleness → 30 The Flamelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of The Flame
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 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.