Transformation · lines 1, 5, and 6
Clearing Obstacles becomes Treading Carefully
What this change means
Heaven above, the lake below: three lines change, and Clearing Obstacles becomes 10 Treading Carefully. Both judgments apply. Clearing Obstacles marks the relief of a cleared path, where you can be prompt and firm but shouldn't overestimate yourself. The resulting hexagram describes a delicate situation in which conducting yourself well, with awareness and gentleness, can make potential rivals give ground or even become allies. Together they temper the impulse to push on. The obstacles are cleared, but you're walking near people who could stand in your way. Move decisively, yes, but with tact. Don't overrate your strength, don't provoke, and pay attention to your manners and your steps. That careful conduct can turn a tense situation into one where former rivals cooperate.
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 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 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
- 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 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
10 Treading Carefully → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Clearing Obstacles
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, and 3
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, and 4
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 3, and 4
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 3, and 4
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 3, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 1, 4, and 5
- 8Unionlines 2, 4, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 3, 4, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 3, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 3, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 1, 4, and 6
- 23The Falllines 2, 4, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 3, 4, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3, 5, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.