Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 5
Right Action becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
The three middle lines move, and the figure becomes thunder over rain, a storm that clears the air. Both judgments count equally. 48 Right Action points to favorable opportunities and warns that delay wastes them; the job is to work with your existing means. The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, says the obstacles have been overcome one by one, and asks for balance: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overestimating yourself, and rest or step back if you need to. Read together, the path is open, but it rewards measured speed. Move while the way is clear, using the resources at hand, and don't try to do more than your strength allows. If you need a pause, take it. The image adds a note of generosity: forgive mistakes and let old wrongs go, so nothing weighs you down.
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 48 Right Action
You're at a moment when opportunities are on your side. But if you don't know how to use them because you keep putting off decisions and actions, being in the right place at the right time won't do you any good. It's not about looking for new things but about making use of what you have, or there will be loss.
The town is changed, the well is not. Nothing lost, nothing gained. They come and go, and draw from the well. Nearly there, the rope does not yet reach the well; if the jar breaks, misfortune.
- 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 48 Right Action
You aren't using all your talents, and you have many, so the opportunities are there but you don't take them.
The well is cleaned, and no one drinks: my heart aches. Water could be drawn. If the king were clear-sighted, all would share in the blessing.
- Line 4 of 48 Right Action
It's time to rethink and focus on the opportunities. If you focus on action and use your talents, you'll succeed.
The well is lined with brick. No fault.
- Line 5 of 48 Right Action
You recognize the opportunities around you and feel motivated and determined to act, which will bring success.
The well is clear: the cold spring is drunk.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 48 Right Actionlines 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Right Action
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 3
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, and 4
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 3, and 4
- 45Meetinglines 2, 3, and 4
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 3, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 2, 3, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 4, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 4, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 3, and 6
- 20Observinglines 2, 3, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 4, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 4, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 3, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 5, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 2, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 3, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.