Transformation · lines 2, 3, and 5
Attraction becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder and rain break loose as the second, third and fifth lines move, and the still lake on the mountain becomes a storm that clears the air. With three lines moving, the judgments of both hexagrams are weighed equally. Attraction rewards openness, letting people come close who will support you without self-interest. The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, says the obstacles have been overcome one by one and that this is a time for balance: act quickly and decisively where you can, without overrating your abilities, and rest or even step back if you need to. Together they suggest relief after tension. Let the people who helped you stay close, forgive the mistakes that came up along the way, and don't spend your newfound freedom on overreaching. Move when it's clear, pause when you're tired, and keep the door open.
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 31 Attraction
You'll get good results to the extent that you stay open and receptive, which lets people come close who will support you and help you get there, generously and without self-interest.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 31 Attraction
Wait, without rushing or taking the initiative, until the right people and situations show up on their own.
Contact at the calves. Misfortune. Staying put brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 31 Attraction
Don't act hastily, attaching yourself to the wrong people or chasing your dreams without thinking: this will take you off the path.
Contact at the thighs. Holding on to what follows. Going on: distress.
- Line 5 of 31 Attraction
An attitude of stillness, without trying to influence people or events, will bring you achievement.
Contact at the back. No regret.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 31 Attractionlines 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Attraction
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, and 3
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, and 4
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 4
- 29Waterlines 2, 3, and 4
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 3, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 1, 4, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 2, 4, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 3, 4, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 2, 3, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 4, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 4, and 6
- 20Observinglines 3, 4, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 3, 5, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.