Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Gradual Progress becomes Biting
What this change means
Thunder and lightning: four lines move, the first, third, fourth and fifth, and the figure turns into an image of biting through. The still lines of 21 Biting carry the guidance. The second says that when someone acts unjustly, firm limits are better than doing nothing. The top line warns that clinging to a wrong path and refusing advice leads to failure. Within Gradual Progress, this asks you to look in two directions. Outward: if someone is obstructing or exploiting your slow advance, set clear boundaries without delay. Inward: check whether you're the one ignoring warnings. Firmness with others and honesty with yourself go together here. Listen to the people who caution you, correct course where needed, and then act decisively. Steady progress can coexist with a clear no when something wrong gets in the way.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 21 Biting, which stays still
When you see someone acting unjustly or wrongly, it's better to be uncompromising in setting limits than to do nothing.
Biting tender flesh, the nose sinks out of sight. No fault.
- Line 6 of 21 Biting, which stays still
Insisting on staying on the wrong path and refusing to hear advice or warnings will lead you to failure.
A wooden collar on the neck, the ears lost from sight. Misfortune.
- 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 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.
- Line 5 of 53 Gradual Progress
In the middle of your progress you're cut off, and hostile people stir up misunderstandings around you. All you can do is wait calmly for this to pass; it will pass on its own.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the hill. For three years the wife does not conceive; in the end nothing overcomes her. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
The trigrams
The way back
21 Biting → 53 Gradual Progresslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Gradual Progress
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, 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.