Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Clearing Obstacles becomes Darkness
What this change means
Light sinks into the earth as the four lower lines move, and Clearing Obstacles becomes 36 Darkness. The new figure's fifth and top lines are the ones that stay unchanged, and they hold the counsel. The fifth says that for now you can't move to better surroundings, so remain in place, keep your goal firmly in mind, and stay out of sight. The top line says that if you persevere quietly, without attracting notice, the bad situations and the people behind them tend to collapse under their own weight. After clearing one set of obstacles, you may find yourself among the wrong people with no easy exit. Don't fight openly and don't advertise your plans. Protect your integrity, keep your light hidden, and keep going steadily. Hard stretches like this pass, and patience lets the trouble undo itself.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 36 Darkness, which stays still
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, which stays still
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 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.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles are overcome; now you're easy prey for flattery. If you avoid falling for it and bring what isn't right into the open, cleanly and without a single flaw, you'll succeed.
On the hunt, catches three foxes and gains a yellow arrow. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
If you act high-handed and boast about your achievements, exaggerating them, you'll draw quarrels and envy that threaten to take away what you've gained.
Carries a load on the back and rides in a carriage: this brings raiders. Constancy brings distress.
- Line 4 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
It's important to let go of ties and loyalties that can't be trusted and that, if anything, will slow your progress, so you can move forward freely.
Untie your big toe: the friend arrives, and then there is trust.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
36 Darkness → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Clearing Obstacles
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 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.