Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 5
A Subordinate Role becomes Attraction
What this change means
Four lines move, the first three and the fifth, and a lake now rests on the mountain. The guidance comes from the still lines of 31 Attraction. Its fourth line says that centering yourself in your heart and inner resources lets what's right for you find you naturally. Its top line warns that trying to win support with words alone, without matching actions, leads only to modest results. In the context of A Subordinate Role, this is advice about influence without rank. You don't need a higher position to draw good things toward you, but you do need to be grounded and consistent. Speak less about what you'll do and show it more. Stay centered, stay receptive, and let your conduct attract the people and opportunities that fit you.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 31 Attraction, which stays still
Centering yourself in your heart and your inner resources will let what is right for you find you naturally.
Constancy brings good fortune. Regret vanishes. Restless, coming and going; friends follow your thoughts.
- Line 6 of 31 Attraction, which stays still
If you try to influence others or win their support with words alone and not with matching actions, your achievements will be modest.
Contact at the jaws, the cheeks, the tongue.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 54 A Subordinate Role
Even if the person you answer to ignores you, keep your position and your loyalty: this will show your greatness.
The one-eyed can see. The constancy of the one who lives apart is favorable.
- Line 3 of 54 A Subordinate Role
Given the present circumstances, it's better to stay in a subordinate position than to be alone.
The young woman marries as a servant; she comes back and marries as a second wife.
- Line 5 of 54 A Subordinate Role
Calmly accepting a subordinate position right now will bring you success. Your talent will show in spite of a situation that seems unfavorable.
Emperor Yi gives his younger sister in marriage. The lady's sleeves were not as fine as the second wife's. The moon is nearly full. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 31 Attraction
You'll get good results to the extent that you stay open and receptive, which lets people come close who will support you and help you get there, generously and without self-interest.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
31 Attraction → 54 A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of A Subordinate Role
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 42Increaselines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 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.