Transformation · lines 2, 4, and 5
Lack of Firmness becomes Abiding
What this change means
Mountain rests on mountain as the second, fourth and fifth lines move, and the reading leans on both judgments. Lack of Firmness cautions that inattention is how the wrong influences take over, and that a firm limit is the remedy. The resulting hexagram, 52 Abiding, describes a time of stillness, staying centered and calm, and waiting for outer conditions to show when it's time to act, without going beyond what's happening now. Together they suggest that firmness can take the form of stillness. You don't have to fight the wrong influences or chase them away. Simply stop moving toward them. Stay where you are, steady and unhurried, and let them find no foothold. A calm, unmoving boundary is often harder to cross than an angry one.
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 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.
- The judgment of 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
52 Abiding → 44 Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Lack of Firmness
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, and 3
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, and 4
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 3, and 4
- 20Observinglines 2, 3, and 4
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 3, and 5
- 35Advancelines 2, 3, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 4, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 3, 4, and 5
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 3, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2, 3, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 4, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 4, and 6
- 29Waterlines 3, 4, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 3, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.