Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Lack of Firmness becomes Darkness
What this change means
All lines but the third move, and fire sinks beneath the earth, the light hidden. The still third line of the resulting hexagram, 36 Darkness, leads the reading: a bit of luck helps you advance, yet the obstacles still stand, so hold off on celebrating and stay alert until they're truly beaten. From Lack of Firmness, where unsuitable influences threatened to take hold, this warns against relaxing at the first sign of progress. You may have gained some ground, but the wrong people or habits haven't gone away. Keep your integrity and your guard. Don't show all your cards. Protect yourself quietly, and keep your limits in place until the danger has truly passed and better times arrive. Hard times pass, though rarely on schedule.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 36 Darkness, which stays still
A small stroke of luck lets you move forward, but the obstacles aren't overcome yet, so don't celebrate too soon. Stay alert until they're fully defeated.
The wounded light on the southern hunt: the great chief is taken. Constancy must not be hurried.
- The judgment of 44 Lack of Firmness
You're surrounded by unsuitable people or situations. You know it, but you think you have the power to control them and don't take them very seriously; it may even be a bad habit. If you don't pay attention and set firm limits, they'll take control over you and you won't be able to pull away.
The woman is strong. Do not take her as a wife.
- Line 1 of 44 Lack of Firmness
When something or someone you'd be better off without comes into your life, put distance between you quickly, before it gains power.
Tied to a metal brake. Constancy brings good fortune. If it has somewhere to go, it will meet misfortune. A lean pig, surely, paws and paces.
- Line 2 of 44 Lack of Firmness
You recognize the adverse person or condition in your life. You need to keep it under control, not with violence but with firmness, so its influence doesn't spread.
In the wrapping there is fish. No fault. Not favorable for guests.
- Line 4 of 44 Lack of Firmness
For now it's better to keep adverse people close, as long as you know how to set limits with them; they may be useful to you at some point.
In the wrapping there is no fish. Setting off brings misfortune.
- Line 5 of 44 Lack of Firmness
Right now, thanks to your inner worth, you're able to transform unsuitable people and even your own harmful habits.
Willow branches wrap the melon. Beauty kept within: something falls from heaven.
- Line 6 of 44 Lack of Firmness
Your distance from unsuitable people makes you look proud and aloof, but that's better than getting involved with them.
Meeting with the horns. Distress. No fault.
- The judgment of 36 Darkness
It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.
Constancy in hardship is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
36 Darkness → 44 Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Lack of Firmness
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.