Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Great Manifestation becomes Held Back
What this change means
Water sits atop the Mountain as four lines move, and what stays still in 39 Held Back, its third and top lines, guides the reading. The third advises stepping back from the obstacles and returning to ordinary life, among the people who love you, until the time to act arrives. The top describes a maturity and confidence that let you face difficulties calmly and help others, while receiving help from those above you. For a hexagram of great strength, this is a lesson in using it wisely. Not every obstacle needs to be charged. Sometimes the strong move is to come home, rest among those who care for you, and wait. When you return to the problem, you'll do it with a calm that others can lean on.
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 39 Held Back, which stays still
The right thing now is to step back from the obstacles and return to normal conditions, with the people who love you, until the time to act comes.
Going: hardship. Coming: a return.
- Line 6 of 39 Held Back, which stays still
You've reached such maturity and confidence that you can face difficulties calmly and help others; in the same way, you'll receive help from those above you.
Going: hardship. Coming: greatness. Good fortune. It is favorable to see the great person.
- The judgment of 34 Great Manifestation
You have what it takes to carry out big projects and achieve extraordinary things. Still, you need to stay active and keep persevering. Thinking and acting in harmony will keep you holding to what is right and will make your achievements last.
Constancy is favorable.
- Line 1 of 34 Great Manifestation
Despite your excellent qualities, some unfavorable situations still won't let you move forward. Don't push. Work through the obstacles one by one, and circumstances will give way in the end.
Strength in the toes. Setting out brings misfortune. There is sincere trust.
- Line 2 of 34 Great Manifestation
Circumstances are starting to open up and conditions keep getting better. Still, stay centered and keep persevering to get the results you want.
Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 4 of 34 Great Manifestation
Adverse circumstances give way before your persistence. If you rely on your inner power, you'll be able to move toward great achievements.
Constancy brings good fortune. Regret vanishes. The fence gives way, and nothing tangles. Strength in the axle of the great cart.
- Line 5 of 34 Great Manifestation
This is a favorable moment when you can do without force and head toward your goals without haste or strain: the good wave will carry you to success.
Loses the ram at Yi. No regret.
- The judgment of 39 Held Back
Every time you advance, something blocks you, forcing you to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who give you their support. That way you'll get past the obstacles one by one until the final victory.
The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
39 Held Back → 34 Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Great Manifestation
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 29Waterlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 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.