Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
Leaving Behind becomes Thrift
What this change means
Water is held over the Lake as five lines change. Only the fifth holds, and in 60 Thrift it is the one to read. It asks you to accept the limits of this moment for yourself, not only for others, and says this tends to lead to success. The hexagram as a whole is about conserving time, energy and resources so you're ready for what's ahead. After a long withdrawal, this is a natural next step. You've let go of a lot; now set fair measures for what remains. Don't apply rules to others that you exempt yourself from. Spend carefully, rest well, and keep something in reserve. When challenges come, that preparation can make them much easier to meet.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 60 Thrift, which stays still
Accept the restrictions of the moment for yourself too, not only for others; this will lead you to success.
Sweet measure. Good fortune. Going earns esteem.
- 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 6 of 33 Leaving Behind
You're in the right position to leave behind what has run its course. You can do it knowing it's right and without mourning the loss, and this will bring you great success.
A retreat at ease. Nothing that is not favorable.
- The judgment of 60 Thrift
It's a time to conserve your time, energy and resources so you're ready for what lies ahead. If you do, when challenges arrive you'll be prepared and will overcome them easily.
Success. Bitter measure cannot be kept up with constancy.
The trigrams
The way back
60 Thrift → 33 Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
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.