Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Clearing Obstacles becomes The Tribe
What this change means
Every line of Clearing Obstacles moves at once, and thunder over rain becomes wind rising out of fire. With all six changing, the reading rests on the resulting hexagram, 37 The Tribe, the image of a household in good order. It says that right relationships, with everyone in their proper place and fully playing their role, move things forward and make success last, and that your words need to match your actions to ring true. After the release from obstacles, this asks you to turn toward the people closest to you and set things in order. Who does what, and does each person carry it out? Do your promises match your conduct? Clarify roles, keep your word, and let your actions back up what you say. Order among people you live and work with is what turns a hard-won freedom into something lasting.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- The judgment of 37 The Tribe
Right relationships, with everyone in their proper place and fully carrying out their role, will move things forward and make success last. Your words need to match your actions so they come across as genuine.
The constancy of the woman is favorable.
- 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.
- Line 5 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
It's time for decisive action that keeps you away from the wrong people and situations. You do this by ignoring them and paying them no attention while you build up your inner strength.
The noble person need only get free: good fortune. There is sincere trust, even before the petty person.
- Line 6 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
Once you've strengthened your inner self, you can get through the obstacles and achieve your purpose with firm, decisive action.
The duke shoots at a falcon on top of the high wall and hits it. Nothing that is not favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
37 The Tribe → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 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.