Transformation · lines 2 and 3
Darkness becomes Fleeting Success
What this change means
Lake appears under the Earth as the second and third lines move, and the dark time gives way to a brief stretch of fortune. The third line leads: a small stroke of luck opens the way forward, but the obstacles haven't fallen yet, so stay alert and don't celebrate before they're beaten. The second adds that even while the difficulties hurt, steady resolve and working for a greater good carry you. The resulting hexagram, 19 Fleeting Success, names the season that opens: a time of luck and well-being, but a limited one. Make the most of it without assuming it will last, read the signs, and take precautions before conditions turn. That way you can lessen the effects when they do. Watch for spending the good spell as if it were permanent.
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 36 Darkness
A small stroke of luck lets you move forward, but the obstacles aren't overcome yet, so don't celebrate too soon. Stay alert until they're fully defeated.
The wounded light on the southern hunt: the great chief is taken. Constancy must not be hurried.
- 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 19 Fleeting Success
A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
19 Fleeting Success → 36 Darknesslines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Darkness
- 46Going Uplines 1 and 2
- 2Passivitylines 1 and 3
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1 and 4
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2 and 4
- 51Shocklines 3 and 4
- 39Held Backlines 1 and 5
- 5Inactionlines 2 and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 3 and 5
- 49Renewallines 4 and 5
- 52Abidinglines 1 and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 2 and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 3 and 6
- 30The Flamelines 4 and 6
- 37The Tribelines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.