Transformation · lines 4 and 5
Decrease becomes Treading Carefully
What this change means
The mountain above opens into heaven as the fourth and fifth lines move, and the lake below now sits under a vast sky. The fifth line leads: a gift you've earned arrives unexpectedly, and nothing can turn it aside. The fourth prepares the ground: work on yourself, let go of what ails you, and relief comes quickly, along with people in tune with you. The resulting hexagram, 10 Treading Carefully, warns that you're in a delicate situation. Conduct yourself well, with awareness and gentleness, and even possible rivals may give way or become allies. Good fortune can stir envy, so how you carry it matters. Stay courteous, know your place, and don't flaunt what you've received. The inner work of the fourth line is what makes careful conduct natural rather than forced. Grace under good luck is the skill this movement asks you to practice.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 41 Decrease
Lucky chances will come unexpectedly, like a gift from heaven, because you've earned them.
Someone adds to it: a tortoise worth ten strings of shells cannot go against it. Great good fortune.
- Line 4 of 41 Decrease
If you work on improving yourself, you'll raise your vibration and also draw people in tune with it.
Lessens the ailment; let joy come quickly. No fault.
- The judgment of 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
10 Treading Carefully → 41 Decreaselines 4 and 5
Other transformations of Decrease
- 23The Falllines 1 and 2
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1 and 3
- 22Good Mannerslines 2 and 3
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 4
- 21Bitinglines 2 and 4
- 14Wealthlines 3 and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 5
- 42Increaselines 2 and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 3 and 5
- 7The Armylines 1 and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 4 and 6
- 60Thriftlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.