What this change means
Heaven and water go opposite ways as Held Back becomes 6 Conflict, its second, third, fourth and top lines all moving. The counsel comes from the lines that remain, the first and fifth of the new figure. The first says that when talk starts to circulate, standing your ground is the wisest response. The fifth says that if you've acted rightly, whoever has to decide matters involving you will tend to decide in your favor. Behind them stands a conflict that action alone won't solve. The resulting hexagram advises cleverness over force, allowing things to unfold, and asking someone experienced for counsel. So the obstacles may now take the shape of a dispute. Don't answer talk with talk. Keep your conduct clean, stay steady, and leave the decision to those whose role it is to make it.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 6 Conflict, which stays still
Even if the situation invites gossip, holding firm is your best move.
Not dragging the matter out. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 5 of 6 Conflict, which stays still
If you've acted rightly, whoever has to make the decisions that involve you will decide in your favor.
Lawsuit. Great good fortune.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 39 Held Back
It's time to face the difficulties, which seem to grow as you advance. Still, if your actions go hand in hand with inner integrity, you'll succeed in the end.
The king's servant, in hardship upon hardship, and not of their own doing.
- Line 3 of 39 Held Back
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 4 of 39 Held Back
You won't get past the obstacles on your own. It's time to return to more stable conditions and look for support from like-minded people; with their help you'll succeed.
Going: hardship. Coming: joined with others.
- Line 6 of 39 Held Back
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 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
6 Conflict → 39 Held Backlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Held Back
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 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.