Leaving Behind becomes Darkness

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

1. ●Line 2 of 36 Darkness, which stays still

   Difficulties are growing and circumstances affect you directly, but your firm resolve, acting for a greater good, and contributing as you're able will lead you to victory.

   The wounded light: wounded in the left thigh. Rescued with a strong horse. Good fortune.

2. ●Line 3 of 36 Darkness, which stays still

   A small stroke of luck lets you move forward, but the obstacles aren't overcome yet, so don't celebrate too soon. Stay alert until they're fully defeated.

   The wounded light on the southern hunt: the great chief is taken. Constancy must not be hurried.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. The judgment of 36 Darkness

   It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.

   Constancy in hardship is favorable.

The trigrams

The way back

Other transformations of Leaving Behind

• → 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
• → 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
• → 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
• → 27Nourishmentlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
• → 4Immaturitylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
• → 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
• → 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
• → 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
• → 29Waterlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
• → 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
• → 51Shocklines 1, 3, 5, and 6
• → 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
• → 46Going Uplines 2, 4, 5, and 6
• → 2Passivitylines 3, 4, 5, and 6