What this change means
Water forms below and Fire above as the third, fourth and fifth lines move, with fire standing over water and neither yet in its place. The judgments of both hexagrams have equal weight. Gentleness counsels a steady path without force, small actions that build, and support from those above. The resulting hexagram, 64 Transition, describes a moment when things are coming together for success, even for large projects, while some pieces still haven't settled. It asks for alertness, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity and drift from your goals. This can happen even right after you get what you want: you stop, hesitate, and errors creep in. Keep the patient approach all the way through. Don't treat the near end as the end; finish the crossing with the same care you started it.
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 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.
- The judgment of 64 Transition
Things are coming together so that success can arrive and you can take on great projects, but some things still haven't fallen into place. So stay alert, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity, or you'll drift from your goals. This can happen even after you've gotten what you want: you stop, you hesitate, and mistakes happen.
Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.
- Line 3 of 57 Gentleness
Thinking about what to do without making up your mind to do what needs doing will only delay your success.
Yielding again and again. Distress.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
64 Transition → 57 Gentlenesslines 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Gentleness
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, and 3
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, and 4
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, and 4
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, and 4
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 1, 3, and 5
- 23The Falllines 2, 3, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 4, and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 4, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 1, 3, and 6
- 8Unionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 4, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 3, 4, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 5, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 3, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.