Transformation · lines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Gentleness becomes Success in Small Matters
What this change means
Mountain forms below and Thunder above when the second, fourth, fifth and top lines move: thunder on the mountain, loud but limited. The still lines of the resulting hexagram lead. Its first line warns that not recognizing your limits and trying to go beyond what you can do now brings loss. Its third adds that carelessness and excess bring trouble. The resulting hexagram, 62 Success in Small Matters, says this isn't a time for great things but for small achievements; living in step with that keeps you from wasting your effort. It fits the spirit of Gentleness, which also favors small steps over big ones. Know your current resources, keep your aims modest, and pay attention to details. Overreaching is the risk; careful, measured work is what pays.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 62 Success in Small Matters, which stays still
Failing to recognize your limits and trying to go beyond what you can do right now will bring you loss.
The bird in flight: so, misfortune.
- Line 3 of 62 Success in Small Matters, which stays still
Carelessness and excess bring trouble.
Unless one goes beyond in guarding oneself, someone following will do harm. Misfortune.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line 4 of 57 Gentleness
You're able to act as the situation requires, so go ahead, without haste but without delay, and you'll succeed.
Regret vanishes. In the hunt, three kinds of game are taken.
- 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 62 Success in Small Matters
This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
62 Success in Small Matters → 57 Gentlenesslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
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
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.