Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Gradual Progress becomes Treading Carefully
What this change means
Four lines move, the whole lower half and the fourth, and the figure becomes Lake beneath Heaven. When this many lines change, the guidance comes from the still lines of the resulting hexagram, 10 Treading Carefully. Its fifth line says that knowing the danger in going ahead, and moving with caution, leads to success. Its top line says to watch for favorable signs and, when they come, to act decisively. That fits the spirit of Gradual Progress well. You've come a long way through slow stages, and now the ground ahead needs a careful step. Stay aware of the risks, behave with tact, and don't let impatience push you before the timing is right. When the signs line up, though, don't hesitate. Caution and decisiveness aren't opposites here: one prepares the way, the other completes it.
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 10 Treading Carefully, which stays still
If you're aware of the danger in going ahead and you act with caution, you'll succeed.
A resolute step. Constancy is in danger.
- Line 6 of 10 Treading Carefully, which stays still
If you watch for the favorable signs to know when to act, and then act decisively, you'll succeed.
Looking back over the steps taken, examining the signs. If it turns back on itself: great good fortune.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 53 Gradual Progress
You'll have a first success as you move forward. Nothing spectacular, but it will let you rest and recharge to keep going.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the boulder. It eats and drinks with joy. Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 53 Gradual Progress
If you don't let things unfold at their own pace and try to hurry them, your progress will fail.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the high plain. The husband marches off and does not return; the wife conceives and does not give birth. Misfortune. It is favorable to fend off raiders.
- Line 4 of 53 Gradual Progress
In the middle of your progress, situations come up that are out of your control. Don't despair: act with caution and respond wisely to these obstacles. That way you'll stay safe while conditions improve.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the tree. Perhaps it finds a flat branch. No fault.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
10 Treading Carefully → 53 Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Gradual Progress
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.