Transformation · lines 2 and 5
A Subordinate Role becomes Adapting
What this change means
Thunder in the lake: the fifth and second lines change, the fifth leading, and the figure turns toward following. The fifth line says that accepting a secondary place with calm will bring success, and that your talent will show anyway. The second asks for loyalty even when the person above you overlooks you. The resulting hexagram, 17 Adapting, describes a time to both lead and follow. If you can recognize the role this moment is handing you and act sincerely from inside it, you'll gain more support and even more leadership. That's the paradox here: by following well, you earn the trust that lets you lead. Keep faith with the people you serve, act sincerely, and rest when it's time to rest. Influence grows naturally out of that kind of loyalty.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 54 A Subordinate Rolelines 2 and 5
Other transformations of A Subordinate Role
- 16Passionlines 1 and 2
- 32What Lastslines 1 and 3
- 55Abundancelines 2 and 3
- 7The Armylines 1 and 4
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 4
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 3 and 5
- 60Thriftlines 4 and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 6
- 21Bitinglines 2 and 6
- 14Wealthlines 3 and 6
- 41Decreaselines 4 and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.