Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 5
Leaving Behind becomes The Fall
What this change means
The third, fourth and fifth lines move, and the mountain that stood below Heaven now rests on Earth, with a single strong line left at the top. Let the two judgments speak together. The starting one approves of withdrawing now and calls it a way to save your strength rather than spend it on a losing fight. The resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, explains why. This is a time of difficulty when even true words may not be believed, and people who misuse power are gaining ground. Don't try to push ahead. Recognize the season, be generous toward those who depend on you, and hold steady while things change. Withdrawal here isn't weakness; it's how you keep yourself intact until the ground firms up and the climate turns.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 33 Leaving Behindlines 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Leaving Behind
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, and 3
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, and 4
- 42Increaselines 1, 3, and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, and 4
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 4, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 3, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 4, and 6
- 8Unionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 1, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 2, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 3, 5, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.