Transformation · lines 1, 3, and 6
Gradual Progress becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder below and Water above: lines one, three and six shift, giving a picture of a difficult birth. Both judgments carry equal weight. Gradual Progress counsels slow, staged advance. 3 Initial Obstacles says this isn't the moment to act directly; allies who act on your behalf can carry things forward, while you stay alert for when to take back the initiative. The message is to accept indirect progress. Things are messy, new and resistant, like clouds and thunder before a storm clears. Rather than pushing through yourself, let trusted people represent you, and put your own energy into bringing order to the tangle. Watch for the right moment to step forward again. Progress made through others is still progress, and it spares you the setbacks that come from forcing a beginning.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
- 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 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.
The trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 53 Gradual Progresslines 1, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Gradual Progress
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, and 3
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, and 4
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, and 4
- 6Conflictlines 2, 3, and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 3, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 1, 4, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 4, and 5
- 35Advancelines 3, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, and 6
- 29Waterlines 2, 3, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 4, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 4, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 3, 4, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 1, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 2, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 3, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.