Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
What Lasts becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Five lines move, leaving only the top, and thunder now rumbles under clouds of water: What Lasts becomes 3 Initial Obstacles. This isn't a moment to act directly. It's better to let others act on your behalf, as allies who represent you, while you watch for the moment to take the lead back. With five lines changing, the one still line of the new figure carries the guidance, and it's simple: despite the obstacles, don't give up or lose heart. That's the essence of duration under pressure. A hard beginning can make steady effort feel pointless, but this reading asks you to stay with it. Let others carry part of the work, keep the threads in order, and hold on to your aim. Beginnings like this tend to sort themselves out for those who don't quit.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 3 Initial Obstacles, which stays still
Despite the obstacles, don't give up or lose heart.
The horses of the team pull apart. Weeping blood, in endless streams.
- The judgment of 32 What Lasts
This moment asks you for action, not stillness. It asks you to have clear goals to head toward and to act in line with them. That way you'll achieve things, and your achievements will keep growing and will last.
Success. No fault. Constancy is favorable. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 1 of 32 What Lasts
Don't expect extraordinary achievements when you're only just starting to move in the right direction.
Digging deep into duration. Even with constancy, misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
- Line 2 of 32 What Lasts
Right now your enthusiasm and passion are greater than outside circumstances. Staying that way will gradually overcome the stillness and move you toward success.
Regret vanishes.
- Line 3 of 32 What Lasts
If you let outside circumstances grow bigger than your dreams and projects, they'll end up gaining power over you.
Not making one's virtue last; perhaps shame will follow. Constancy brings distress.
- Line 4 of 32 What Lasts
Motivation and enthusiasm aren't all you need to achieve something; you also need to find the places where those dreams can flourish.
No game in the field.
- Line 5 of 32 What Lasts
Right now your achievements will depend on your ability to be bold and open yourself to new paths.
Making one's virtue last, with constancy. For the wife, good fortune; for the husband, misfortune.
- The judgment of 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
The trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 32 What Lastslines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of What Lasts
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.