Transformation · lines 4, 5, and 6
Clearing Obstacles becomes Release from Obstacles
What this change means
Wind moves over the water as the three upper lines change, and Clearing Obstacles becomes 59 Release from Obstacles. Both judgments share the reading. From Clearing Obstacles comes the sense that the hard part is done and that the next moves should be swift but proportionate. The resulting hexagram says you can free yourself from what holds you back by acting sincerely and bringing opposites together around shared goals; the tension came from selfishness, and moving forward asks for humility and going with the current. Together they deepen the release. It's not only about removing what blocked you but about dissolving the friction between people. Let go of self-interest, look for what everyone wants, and stop swimming against the flow. Decisive action here means sincere reconciliation, and resting means not forcing a pace the situation won't bear.
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 59 Release from Obstacles
You can free yourself from the obstacles that hold you back if you're able to act sincerely and bring opposites together around shared goals. The tension has arisen because selfishness rules. To move forward, be humble and let the current carry you rather than going against it.
Success. The king goes to his temple. It is favorable to cross the great river. Constancy is favorable.
- 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.
- 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
59 Release from Obstacles → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 4, 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
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.