Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 5

Gradual Progress becomes Advance

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Light rises over the Earth as the third, fourth and fifth lines move: Mountain becomes Earth, Wind becomes Fire. Both judgments carry equal weight. Gradual Progress insists on stages and warns against speed. 35 Advance announces a time of growth and achievement, when important people offer help and doors open if you ask. There's no real contradiction. The faster pace is a gift that comes from the slow work behind you. Accept the help, ask for what you need, and let your talents be seen. At the same time, don't drop the steady discipline that brought you here; forcing even a favorable tide tends to backfire. Make the most of the opening, and contribute to others' growth the way you're being helped. Each door that opens is still a single step, taken in order.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. The judgment of 35 Advance

    A time of growth and achievement is coming, and you should make the most of it. You'll receive help and favors from important people. If you need something, don't hesitate to ask: doors will open for you. Your talents are recognized, and just as you receive help, it's also a time to contribute to the growth and betterment of others.

    The lord of Kang is granted horses in great numbers; in a single day he is received three times.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 trigrams

Below Mountain Earth
Above Wind Fire

The way back

35 Advance → 53 Gradual Progress
lines 3, 4, and 5

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.

Toss the coins