Transformation · lines 2 and 5
The Vessel of Nourishment becomes Leaving Behind
What this change means
Lines two and five move, and the figure becomes Heaven over Mountain. The fifth leads: your qualities bring you success without any need to prove them, like a well-made vessel with golden handles. The second adds that your cauldron is full and envious rivals can't reach you while you act rightly. Both lines are favorable, yet the resulting hexagram, 33 Leaving Behind, counsels stepping back. That isn't contradiction. Sometimes the best use of a strong position is to withdraw for a while, recover your strength, and think the situation through. Keeping your distance from people who resent you can be part of that, done without hostility. So don't stay in a contest you don't need. Take what you've earned, step back where it helps, and come back with a clearer direction.
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 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
Your qualities will carry you to success without your having to prove anything. Naturally, everything will go your way.
The cauldron with yellow ears and a bar of gold. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 2 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
If you do things the right way, don't fear the envy your achievements stir up.
The cauldron is full. My rival is ill and cannot come near me. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great good fortune. Success.
- The judgment of 33 Leaving Behind
Leaving a path behind or stepping back right now isn't a bad thing. On the contrary, it will help you recover your strength and think carefully about the situation and how to set it right. Sometimes what looks like a loss turns into a gain, if you can let go of what isn't good for you and then pick up again in the right direction.
Success. In small things, constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
33 Leaving Behind → 50 The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2 and 5
Other transformations of The Vessel of Nourishment
- 30The Flamelines 1 and 2
- 38Oppositeslines 1 and 3
- 35Advancelines 2 and 3
- 26Great Achievementslines 1 and 4
- 52Abidinglines 2 and 4
- 4Immaturitylines 3 and 4
- 1Activitylines 1 and 5
- 6Conflictlines 3 and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 4 and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1 and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2 and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 3 and 6
- 46Going Uplines 4 and 6
- 28Excesseslines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.