Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 5
Abundance becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder below and Water above: clouds and thunder, the image of a hard start, appear when the third, fourth and fifth lines move. Both judgments count equally. Abundance invites you to savor a rich moment and not to mourn when it starts to fade. The resulting hexagram, 3 Initial Obstacles, advises against acting in person for now. Find allies who can represent you, and stay alert so you know when to take the initiative back. So the fullness gives way to a new beginning with its own difficulties. Don't force your way into it. Work through others for now, keep sorting out the threads, and watch closely for the moment when it's right to step forward yourself. That moment will come; patience now keeps you from wasting energy on a knot that isn't ready to be untied.
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 55 Abundance
You're growing toward a period of satisfaction and abundance. It will last for a while, and when it ends, stay calm, without sadness or worry. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it wanes, keep your spirits up and enjoy what you've achieved.
Success. The king reaches it. Do not grieve: the noonday sun is fitting.
- 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 3 of 55 Abundance
If your spirits sink, any obstacle, however small, will stop you from reaching what you want.
Full is the curtain: at noon the faint small stars are seen. The right arm is broken. No fault.
- Line 4 of 55 Abundance
The shadows and obstacles that came up for a while are beginning to fade. If you act wisely and decisively, everything will go well.
Full is the awning: at noon the Dipper is seen. Meets the lord who is its like. Good fortune.
- Line 5 of 55 Abundance
You're willing to listen to advice and act on it; this will make difficult situations give way naturally.
Brilliance comes; there is blessing and renown. Good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 55 Abundancelines 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Abundance
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 3
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, and 4
- 2Passivitylines 1, 3, and 4
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 3, and 4
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 3, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 3, and 5
- 39Held Backlines 1, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 2, 4, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 3, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 2, 3, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 4, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 3, 4, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 2, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 3, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.