Transformation · lines 2, 3, and 5

Leaving Behind becomes Transition

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Water below and Fire above, each pulling its own way: the second, third and fifth lines move, and the retreat leaves you on the near bank of a crossing. The two judgments weigh evenly here. Withdrawal, says the starting one, is a resource: distance lets you rest and think, and you may find that what you dropped was weighing you down. The resulting hexagram, 64 Transition, shows that conditions are gathering for success and larger projects, but some pieces haven't fallen into place yet. Stay alert so you don't make mistakes born of inexperience, even after you get what you want, when it's easy to stall or hesitate. Rest, regroup, and don't take the last step until you can see where your foot will land.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. The judgment of 64 Transition

    Things are coming together so that success can arrive and you can take on great projects, but some things still haven't fallen into place. So stay alert, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity, or you'll drift from your goals. This can happen even after you've gotten what you want: you stop, you hesitate, and mistakes happen.

    Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 trigrams

Below Mountain Water
Above Heaven Fire

The way back

64 Transition → 33 Leaving Behind
lines 2, 3, 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.

Toss the coins