Transformation · lines 4 and 6

Clearing Obstacles becomes Immaturity

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

A spring breaks out beneath the mountain as the fourth and top lines move, and Clearing Obstacles becomes 4 Immaturity. The top line leads: strengthened within, you can clear what's left through firm, decisive action, the archer's clean shot. The fourth line asks you to cut loose from ties and loyalties you can't trust, the ones that slow you, so that a true friend can arrive. Both lines are about readiness, inner and relational. The resulting hexagram adds humility. In the matter you're asking about, you may not yet have the maturity your goal requires. Ask for guidance, seek advice, and put what you learn into practice. So the decisive act may first be a decision to learn. Release the wrong attachments, find a good teacher, and then act with the strength and skill that guidance gives you.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. The judgment of 4 Immaturity

    Be aware that you don't yet have the maturity you need to reach what you're after in the area of your question. Act with humility: ask for guidance, seek advice and counsel, and put what you're told into practice.

    Success. I do not go looking for the ignorant youth; the ignorant youth comes looking for me. The first time the oracle is asked, I answer. A second and a third asking is an offense, and an offense gets no answer. Constancy is favorable.

The trigrams

Below Water stays

The way back

4 Immaturity → 40 Clearing Obstacles
lines 4 and 6

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