What this change means
Only the first line moves, and the Mountain at the base of Gradual Progress catches fire: the very start of a slow climb becomes the warmth of a household. This line is about the awkward early steps. You may look inexperienced, things may seem to be going nowhere, and people may talk. None of that is a reason to fear. The goose has only reached the shore; it hasn't failed, it has just begun. The resulting hexagram, 37 The Tribe, shows where steadiness comes from now: from right relationships, with each person in their place and doing their part, and from words that match what you actually do. So let the gossip pass and put your energy into the people closest to you and into small, consistent actions. Being reliable among your own will answer the doubters better than any argument, and it gives your slow progress a solid base.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 53 Gradual Progress
Your first steps may be slow, and through lack of experience it may look at first as if you'll fail, so people will talk. Nothing to fear.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the shore. The young one is in danger; there is talk. No fault.
- The judgment of 53 Gradual Progress
You'll make progress, and it will come step by step, gradually, through stages that make it lasting and stable. Trying to speed things up will bring delays and obstacles. Keep at it, one rung at a time.
The woman goes to be married: good fortune. Constancy is favorable.
- The judgment of 37 The Tribe
Right relationships, with everyone in their proper place and fully carrying out their role, will move things forward and make success last. Your words need to match your actions so they come across as genuine.
The constancy of the woman is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
37 The Tribe → 53 Gradual Progressline 1
Other transformations of Gradual Progress
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.