Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Leaving Behind becomes Coming Back
What this change means
Thunder stirs deep within the Earth as five lines move. The second line, the one left quiet, speaks for 24 Coming Back: the right company around you now is what brings success. The hexagram as a whole speaks of the return that follows a dark stretch, along with a warning: remember the mistakes that led you there, because repeating them can bring you down again. The long retreat ends here. Something is coming back to you, energy, opportunity, a sense of direction. Choose your company carefully as you return. Be honest about what went wrong before. Help can come, and projects can be favored, but only if you don't walk straight back into the same patterns that sent you into the dark.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 24 Coming Back, which stays still
Surrounding yourself with the right people right now will bring success.
A restful return. Good fortune.
- 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 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.
- 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 24 Coming Back
After a period of adversity and darkness, the return comes. Still, be aware of the mistakes that led you into the dark, because if you repeat them you could fall again. People will come to help you, and your undertakings and projects will be favored.
Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends arrive, no fault. Back and forth along its way: in seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
24 Coming Back → 33 Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, 4, 5, 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.