Transformation · lines 1, 3, 5, and 6

Gradual Progress becomes Coming Back

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Thunder within the earth: lines one, three, five and six move, and what was dormant starts to come back. The still lines of 24 Coming Back guide you. Its second line says that surrounding yourself with the right people right now brings success. Its fourth asks you to see who the people around you really are and to step away from those who aren't right, even if you're alone for a while, because guidance and help can come. In terms of Gradual Progress, this is a fresh start after a dark stretch, and company matters more than speed. Choose carefully, and don't fear a short solitude; it can be the clearing you need. Remember, too, what led you into the dark, so you don't repeat it. A return built on the right people tends to hold.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. Line 2 of 24 Coming Back, which stays still

    Surrounding yourself with the right people right now will bring success.

    A restful return. Good fortune.

  2. Line 4 of 24 Coming Back, which stays still

    If you notice who the people around you really are and step away from those you see aren't right, even if you're left without company for a while, you'll find guidance and help.

    Walking in the middle of the others, returning alone.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Line 6 of 53 Gradual Progress

    You're moving successfully toward your goal. You'll get what you want and may even inspire others.

    The wild goose moves by degrees to the high plain. Its feathers can serve in the ritual dance. Good fortune.

  8. The judgment of 24 Coming Back

    After a period of adversity and darkness, the return comes. Still, be aware of the mistakes that led you into the dark, because if you repeat them you could fall again. People will come to help you, and your undertakings and projects will be favored.

    Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends arrive, no fault. Back and forth along its way: in seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.

The trigrams

Above Wind Earth

The way back

24 Coming Back → 53 Gradual Progress
lines 1, 3, 5, and 6

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.

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