Transformation · lines 1 and 5

Gentleness becomes Great Achievements

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Heaven gathers below as the first line moves, and a mountain rises above as the fifth one does: strength is stored inside something solid. The fifth line leads, saying it's time to change direction; think before you set out, and once your aim is clear, action tends to bring success. The first line backs it up: stop drifting forward and back and act with a warrior's firmness. The resulting hexagram, 26 Great Achievements, shows the scale this opens. It's a good moment to step out of your comfort zone and try actions beyond what you believe you can do, because you have the qualities for it and unusual moves are favored. The risk is hesitating at the edge. Reflect, choose, and then go beyond your usual limits with confidence and without wavering.

What to read, in order

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  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. The judgment of 26 Great Achievements

    It's a good moment to leave your comfort zone and take on new actions, beyond what you think you can do. Heaven favors unusual actions that will lead you to success, because you have the qualities needed.

    Constancy is favorable. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.

The trigrams

Below Wind Heaven
Above Wind Mountain

The way back

26 Great Achievements → 57 Gentleness
lines 1 and 5

Other transformations of Gentleness

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins