Transformation · lines 2, 3, 5, and 6
Leaving Behind becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Rain breaks loose under rolling Thunder as four lines move. The lines left at rest in 40 Clearing Obstacles, the first and the fourth, carry the message. The first says that with the difficulties behind you, now is a time to rest and recover the strength to keep going. The fourth asks you to release ties and loyalties that can't be trusted and would only slow you down, so you can move freely. The retreat has done its work: the worst is past. Don't jump straight back into effort. Rest, then take stock of who and what you're still carrying. Some connections belong to the old situation and deserve a friendly but firm goodbye. Lighten the load, forgive what can be forgiven, and move on when you're ready.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
With the obstacles behind you, take a rest for now so you can recover your strength to keep going.
No fault.
- Line 4 of 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
It's important to let go of ties and loyalties that can't be trusted and that, if anything, will slow your progress, so you can move forward freely.
Untie your big toe: the friend arrives, and then there is trust.
- 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 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 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 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 33 Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
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
- 36Darknesslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.