Gentleness becomes Darkness

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

1. ●Line 3 of 36 Darkness, which stays still

   A small stroke of luck lets you move forward, but the obstacles aren't overcome yet, so don't celebrate too soon. Stay alert until they're fully defeated.

   The wounded light on the southern hunt: the great chief is taken. Constancy must not be hurried.

2. ●Line 4 of 36 Darkness, which stays still

   You'll be allowed to see the causes of the hard situations you're facing. This will help you act quickly and withdraw to safe ground before adversity takes complete control.

   It enters the left side of the belly; it reaches the heart of the wounded light and goes out through the courtyard gate.

3. The judgment of 57 Gentleness

   It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.

   Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.

4. Line 1 of 57 Gentleness

   Don't give in to indecision: going forward and back will delay your success. Right now firm, decisive action is better than wavering.

   Advancing and retreating. The constancy of the warrior is favorable.

5. Line 2 of 57 Gentleness

   You're being held back by dark forces you can't identify. So it's wise to turn to people who, through magical practices, can help you move forward.

   Yielding beneath the bed. Scribes and diviners are called in great numbers. Good fortune. No fault.

6. Line 5 of 57 Gentleness

   It's time to change course. Reflect before you set out; once you know what you want, taking action will make your success certain.

   Constancy brings good fortune. Regret vanishes. Nothing that is not favorable. No beginning, yet an end. Three days before the geng day, three days after the geng day: good fortune.

7. Line 6 of 57 Gentleness

   If you lose heart and drop the project because you don't see results yet, you'll lose what you've gained.

   Yielding beneath the bed. Loses goods and axe. Even with constancy, misfortune.

8. The judgment of 36 Darkness

   It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.

   Constancy in hardship is favorable.

The trigrams

The way back

Other transformations of Gentleness

• → 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
• → 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
• → 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 4, and 5
• → 38Oppositeslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
• → 35Advancelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
• → 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
• → 49Renewallines 1, 2, 4, and 6
• → 58Inner Peacelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
• → 45Meetinglines 2, 3, 4, and 6
• → 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
• → 2Passivitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
• → 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
• → 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
• → 40Clearing Obstacleslines 3, 4, 5, and 6