Transformation · lines 1, 4, and 5
A Subordinate Role becomes Water
What this change means
Water above and Water below: the first, fourth and fifth lines change, and both trigrams become the flowing pit. The judgments are weighed side by side. One warns that forcing your own plans from a junior position tends to backfire. 29 Water describes obstacles arriving one after another, which you can get past by moving steadily like a stream, without freezing in fear. Combined, these texts say: you may not choose the course, but you can keep flowing. Within your role, keep working, keep adapting, and don't stop because the path is hard. Fear would only leave you stuck. A stream doesn't fight the riverbed; it follows the channel and wears down what's in its way. Keep your conduct constant, keep learning, and persistence will carry you through.
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 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 29 Water
Just as a stream moves through obstacles and gets past them, following its course without stagnating, you're at a time when obstacles will come one after another, but you'll get past them if you can keep moving. Letting fear paralyze you will only leave you stuck.
There is sincere trust. Only the heart gets through. Going earns esteem.
- 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 4 of 54 A Subordinate Role
If you know how to wait, you'll get what you want, and get it perfectly.
The young woman lets the time for her wedding pass. A late marriage has its hour.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
29 Water → 54 A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 4, and 5
Other transformations of A Subordinate Role
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, and 3
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, and 4
- 46Going Uplines 1, 3, and 4
- 36Darknesslines 2, 3, and 4
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 1, 3, and 5
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 3, 4, and 5
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 3, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 4, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 3, 4, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 3, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.