Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Leaving Behind becomes Decrease
What this change means
Only the top line holds as the rest move, and a lake now lies at the foot of the mountain. That single still line, the top of 41 Decrease, carries the reading. It says you're placed to help others generously and without self-interest, and that the more you do, the more blessings tend to come. The whole hexagram asks for moderation: save your resources and energy, avoid excess, and prepare for a later stretch of growth. After a long retreat, this is an unexpected turn. You've let go of a lot, and what's left is enough to share. Don't hold back out of fear of having less. Give where it truly helps, keep your own needs simple, and let the giving become part of the rebuilding.
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 41 Decrease, which stays still
You're in a position to help others generously and selflessly. The more you do it, the more blessings from heaven will come.
Without taking from it, it is added to. No fault. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Gains servants who have no house of their own.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 33 Leaving Behind
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 2 of 33 Leaving Behind
If you leave behind what doesn't serve you and hold fast to what is fair and right, you'll reach your goals in the end.
Bound with the hide of a yellow ox: no one can work it loose.
- Line 3 of 33 Leaving Behind
If, just as you're leaving something behind, you still let circumstances tempt you to stay, you'll need to find allies to make even a little progress.
A tethered retreat. There is sickness, danger. Keeping servants and maids: good fortune.
- Line 4 of 33 Leaving Behind
You need to leave this road behind without clinging and without regret, sure that it's the right thing. Otherwise, even if you let go, a grieving heart will keep you from opening up to what's new.
A retreat with affection. For the noble person, good fortune; for the petty person, not so.
- Line 5 of 33 Leaving Behind
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 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
The trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 33 Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Leaving Behind
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.