What this change means
Wind following wind: four lines move, the first, second, fifth and top. What doesn't change in 57 Gentleness, the resulting hexagram, are its third and fourth lines, and they pull against hesitation. The third says that thinking about what to do without deciding to do it will only delay success. The fourth says you're able to act as the situation requires, so go ahead, neither rushing nor delaying. Coming from Darkness, where caution has been your shelter, this marks the point where caution can become a trap. You know what needs doing. Decide, then move steadily and gently. Hesitation has served its purpose. Watch for endless deliberation that feels safe but keeps you in the dark longer than you need to be.
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 57 Gentleness, which stays still
Thinking about what to do without making up your mind to do what needs doing will only delay your success.
Yielding again and again. Distress.
- Line 4 of 57 Gentleness, which stays still
You're able to act as the situation requires, so go ahead, without haste but without delay, and you'll succeed.
Regret vanishes. In the hunt, three kinds of game are taken.
- The judgment of 36 Darkness
It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.
Constancy in hardship is favorable.
- Line 1 of 36 Darkness
Trying to move ahead right now will only show you obstacles. Keep persevering on the right path, the one your heart moves you along, without straying from your goal and advancing as far as you can.
The wounded light, in flight, lowers its wings. The noble person is on the road: three days without eating. There is somewhere to go; the host grumbles.
- Line 2 of 36 Darkness
Difficulties are growing and circumstances affect you directly, but your firm resolve, acting for a greater good, and contributing as you're able will lead you to victory.
The wounded light: wounded in the left thigh. Rescued with a strong horse. Good fortune.
- Line 5 of 36 Darkness
For now you can't withdraw to better circumstances, so you have to stay where you are, with your mind fixed on your goal and a low profile so you don't draw attention.
The wounded light of Jizi. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 6 of 36 Darkness
If you keep persevering, quietly and without drawing attention, the bad situations and the people behind them will fall under their own weight.
No light, darkness. First it climbs to heaven; later it goes into the earth.
- The judgment of 57 Gentleness
It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.
Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.
The trigrams
The way back
57 Gentleness → 36 Darknesslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Darkness
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 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.