Transformation · lines 3 and 6
The Vessel of Nourishment becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder over Water: a storm breaks as the third and top lines move. The top line leads with great good fortune: rewarded efforts, favor from people and from above. The third looks back on the time when your talents went unseen and your way was blocked, and says that integrity carried you through to a good end. Now the rain has come. The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, says the obstacles have been overcome one by one, and balance matters: act quickly and decisively where you can, without overrating your abilities, and rest or step back if you need to. So the long wait is ending. Move with purpose, but don't overreach in the relief of being recognized. Take the rest you've earned when you need it. Clear what's left, and let the good fortune settle.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
Your actions will be richly rewarded. Success in your projects: you find human favor and divine help.
The cauldron with a bar of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 3 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
For now you're in a place where your talents and qualities aren't recognized. There's nothing to worry about: if you stay true to yourself and act with integrity, success will come in the end.
The ears of the cauldron are altered; its going is blocked. The pheasant fat is not eaten. When the rain comes, regret wanes. In the end, 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 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.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 50 The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3 and 6
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
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2 and 5
- 6Conflictlines 3 and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 4 and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1 and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2 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.