Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 6
A Subordinate Role becomes The Traveler
What this change means
Fire burns on the mountain once the lower three lines and the top one shift. The still lines of 56 The Traveler guide you. Its fourth line says that even if you can gain material rewards and comfort, you should avoid living in constant distrust and worry. Its fifth says that enjoying this passing situation and making the most of it leads to achievements. Coming from A Subordinate Role, this describes a temporary arrangement: you're a guest somewhere, not the owner. Don't spend it anxious or suspicious. Accept the comforts offered, travel light, and appreciate the experience for what it is. Make good connections while you're there. A passing role, enjoyed and used well, can bring real gains, while a worried heart would spoil them.
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 56 The Traveler, which stays still
Even though you can gain material rewards and comfort, avoid living in constant distrust and worry.
The traveler finds a place to stay and gets their goods and their axe. My heart is not glad.
- Line 5 of 56 The Traveler, which stays still
If you can enjoy this passing situation and make the most of it, you'll achieve things.
Shoots a pheasant; one arrow is lost. In the end, renown and a mandate.
- 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 6 of 54 A Subordinate Role
Holding a subordinate position with resentment or unease only makes you lose the rewards you'd find if you did it wholeheartedly.
The woman holds the basket, and there is nothing in it; the man cuts the sheep, and there is no blood. Nothing is favorable.
- The judgment of 56 The Traveler
It's a time of small achievements. Keep a light, flexible attitude. You may be facing a period of change, new places or situations that ask you to adapt while they settle: let go of attachments and be gracious as you make new connections and your situation takes hold.
Small success. For the traveler, constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
56 The Traveler → 54 A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
Other transformations of A Subordinate Role
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 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.