Transformation · line 1
A Subordinate Role becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
The first line of A Subordinate Role moves, and the Lake below turns to Water under the Thunder. This line describes the young woman who enters a household as a second wife, and the old text says that even the lame can walk. In practical terms, your secondary place doesn't stop you from moving forward. If you stay in the background and help however you can, without hunting for recognition, things tend to go well, and setting out is favored. The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, shows where this leads: knots begin to loosen, and you can act quickly where action is clearly possible, without overrating what you can do. Accept the modest position, make yourself useful in it, and let the release come through service rather than self-promotion. A quiet helper often finds the way clears sooner than expected.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 54 A Subordinate Role
If you know how to hold your subordinate place and stay in the background, helping from there however you can without seeking the spotlight, things will go well.
The young woman marries as a second wife. The lame can walk. Setting out brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
- The judgment of 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 54 A Subordinate Roleline 1
Other transformations of A Subordinate Role
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.