Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 6
Clearing Obstacles becomes Loss, Then Gain
What this change means
Wind beneath the mountain: with the third, fourth and top lines changing, Clearing Obstacles becomes 18 Loss, Then Gain. Each judgment counts for half. In Clearing Obstacles the pressure has lifted, and the advice is to act where action is clearly possible and otherwise to rest. The resulting hexagram says mistakes have led to a decline, and that admitting them and correcting them can bring you back to success; reflect on the causes, act, and then give success time to arrive. Together they ask you to use the breathing room wisely. Now that the immediate pressure is off, look at what went wrong before. The image of Clearing Obstacles is of pardoning mistakes and being lenient with wrongs, and that includes your own. Name them without harshness, fix what you can, and be patient while the repair takes effect.
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 18 Loss, Then Gain
You've made mistakes that have brought you into decline; still, admitting it and making the corrections needed will lead you back to success. Take time to reflect on what caused the loss and, once you've acted, give success time to arrive.
Great success. It is favorable to cross the great river. Three days before the first day, three days after the first day.
- 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 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
18 Loss, Then Gain → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 3, 4, 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
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 5, 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.