Transformation · lines 3, 5, and 6
Lack of Firmness becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder breaks over Water, a storm releasing its rain, as the third, fifth and top lines move, and the judgments of both figures inform the reading. Lack of Firmness asks you to stop underestimating what pulls at you and to draw boundaries before its grip tightens. The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, describes obstacles overcome one by one and asks for balance: act quickly and decisively where you can, without overrating yourself, and rest or step back when you need to. Together they suggest a release is within reach. Move promptly to set the limits you've been delaying. But don't overestimate your resistance; if a particular person or habit still pulls hard, give yourself room. Forgive yourself past slips and others their mistakes, so you can move on lighter.
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 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.
- Line 3 of 44 Lack of Firmness
You know adverse conditions or people exist and you can recognize them, but you're tempted to let them influence you. It will take a great effort to set them aside.
Buttocks without skin; the walk falters. Danger. No great fault.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 44 Lack of Firmnesslines 3, 5, and 6
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
- 52Abidinglines 2, 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
- 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.