Transformation · lines 2, 3, 4, and 5
Clearing Obstacles becomes Held Back
What this change means
Water lands back on the mountain when the four middle lines move, and Clearing Obstacles reverses into 39 Held Back. The lines that stay still in that figure, the first and the top, hold the counsel. The first says a strategic retreat in the face of obstacles gives you time to reflect, find new approaches, and act when conditions are right. The top line describes a maturity and confidence that let you face difficulties calmly, help others, and receive help from those above. It may feel discouraging to meet blocks again just after clearing them. Yet the movement suggests you're better equipped than before. Step back deliberately, rethink, and use the calm you've gained to support others and be supported in turn. The resulting hexagram reminds you that obstacles tend to be passed one at a time, with like-minded people beside you.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 39 Held Back, which stays still
A strategic retreat in the face of obstacles will help you reflect, come up with new strategies, and act when conditions are right.
Going: hardship. Coming: praise.
- Line 6 of 39 Held Back, which stays still
You've reached such maturity and confidence that you can face difficulties calmly and help others; in the same way, you'll receive help from those above you.
Going: hardship. Coming: greatness. Good fortune. It is favorable to see the great person.
- 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 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.
- The judgment of 39 Held Back
Every time you advance, something blocks you, forcing you to stop, step back, and look for help from like-minded people who give you their support. That way you'll get past the obstacles one by one until the final victory.
The southwest is favorable; the northeast is not. It is favorable to see the great person. Constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
39 Held Back → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 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
- 5Inactionlines 1, 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.