What this change means
Three foxes caught on the hunt and a yellow arrow gained: the second line, moving alone, describes a clean victory, and also its hidden risk. Once the obstacles are cleared, you become an easy target for flattery. Don't fall for it. Bring into the open whatever isn't right, and do it cleanly, without a single crooked move; steady integrity is what makes the success hold. With this line's change, Water below becomes Earth, and Clearing Obstacles turns into 16 Passion, thunder rising out of the earth. The resulting hexagram speaks of passionate drive that can be passed to others, winning their help for big projects, as long as you keep their needs in view and not just yours. That fits the warning. Enthusiasm built on praise is fragile. Build it on honest work, share it fairly, and the energy you spread can carry real weight.
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 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.
- 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 16 Passion
A time of passionate drive toward action. You can pass this passion on to others to gain their help, which lets you take on big projects with resolve and optimism. For these ventures to succeed and last, you can't look after only your own interests; you also need to keep in mind the needs of the people working with you.
It is favorable to install lords and set the army in motion.
The trigrams
The way back
16 Passion → 40 Clearing Obstaclesline 2
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.