What this change means
The third line moves, and the mountain beneath Heaven softens into Earth: heaven and earth stop meeting. This line describes a retreat that's tethered. Just as you're leaving, circumstances tempt you to stay, and that hesitation makes the situation heavier, even draining. If you can't cut the tie at once, you'll need allies and helpers to make even small progress. The resulting hexagram, 12 Decline, explains the stakes. You're among adverse people and situations, and this isn't a time to decide or act boldly. Whatever they offer, avoid getting entangled with them. Withdraw to a safe place, keep a low profile, and wait for conditions to change. The question to ask yourself is what still ties you here, and whether it's worth the cost. Lean on the few people you trust, and let the rest go quietly.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
The trigrams
The way back
12 Decline → 33 Leaving Behindline 3
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.