Transformation · line 1
Clearing Obstacles becomes A Subordinate Role
What this change means
After the storm, the first line asks for nothing more than rest. It moves alone here, and its counsel is plain: the obstacles are behind you, so stop for a while and let your strength come back before you go on. There's no fault in pausing; the old text says exactly that, in two words. As this line changes, the Water below becomes a Lake, and Clearing Obstacles opens onto 54 A Subordinate Role, thunder over the lake. The resulting hexagram adds context to the rest. This is a stretch where you take second place to others, and personal initiative tends to fail. So the pause isn't only physical. Let others lead for now, accept a supporting role without resentment, and use the quiet to recover. When your position improves and your energy returns, the way forward will be clearer than if you'd pushed on tired.
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 40 Clearing Obstacles
With the obstacles behind you, take a rest for now so you can recover your strength to keep going.
No fault.
- The judgment of 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
54 A Subordinate Role → 40 Clearing Obstaclesline 1
Other transformations of Clearing Obstacles
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.