Transformation · lines 2, 3, and 5

Clearing Obstacles becomes Attraction

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Three lines move and the figure becomes a lake resting on a mountain: Clearing Obstacles turns into 31 Attraction. With three lines changing, the two judgments carry equal weight. Clearing Obstacles describes the time after the barriers fall, when balance matters most: decisive action where you can, no overestimating yourself, and rest when needed. The resulting hexagram says good results come to the extent that you stay open and receptive, letting people come close who will support you generously and without self-interest. Put together, the release turns from action toward relationship. You don't have to accomplish everything yourself now. Stay open, make room for others, and let help come to you instead of chasing it. That receptiveness is a kind of balance too. Act where action is clearly needed, and let attraction do the rest.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. The judgment of 31 Attraction

    You'll get good results to the extent that you stay open and receptive, which lets people come close who will support you and help you get there, generously and without self-interest.

    Success. Constancy is favorable. Taking a wife brings good fortune.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 trigrams

Below Water Mountain
Above Thunder Lake

The way back

31 Attraction → 40 Clearing Obstacles
lines 2, 3, and 5

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.

Toss the coins