Transformation · lines 2, 4, and 5
A Subordinate Role becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder below and Water above: the second, fourth and fifth lines move, and clouds gather over a stirring ground. Both judgments speak. A Subordinate Role says this isn't your time to take initiative. 3 Initial Obstacles agrees and adds a method: rather than acting directly, find allies who can act on your behalf, and stay alert for the moment to take the initiative back. These two support each other. You're at a hard, messy beginning, and you're not in the lead. That's not a dead end. Work through trusted people, help bring order where things are tangled, and keep watching. When the time to step forward comes, you'll recognize it. Until then, representation and patience will carry your interests further than any solo move.
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 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
- 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 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
3 Initial Obstacles → 54 A Subordinate Rolelines 2, 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
- 29Waterlines 1, 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.