Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Clearing Obstacles becomes Inaction
What this change means
Clouds gather in the sky as four lines change, and Clearing Obstacles turns into 5 Inaction. The new figure keeps two lines unmoved, the second and the top, and the guidance comes from them. The second asks you to stay calm even if gossip comes up. The top line says that just when everything seems set against you, help can appear and resolve the situation. The resulting hexagram describes a time to wait rather than act, though not to stand still: prepare for the active period ahead, look at conditions without fooling yourself, and stay alert for the right moment. After a release, waiting can feel like a step backward. It isn't. Let talk pass without reacting, keep preparing, and trust that help tends to arrive when it's most needed. Destiny has its own pace.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 5 Inaction, which stays still
Stay calm even if gossip comes up.
Waiting on the sand. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 6 of 5 Inaction, which stays still
At a moment when everything seems to be against you, help appears that will resolve the situation.
Into the pit. Three guests come without being called; receiving them with respect brings good fortune at last.
- 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 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.
- The judgment of 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Clearing Obstacles
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 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.