Transformation · lines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Gentleness becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder and rain break loose as the third through top lines move, Water forming below and Thunder above, and the air clears. Two lines of the new figure hold still and give the advice. The first says that, the obstacles now behind you, it's time to rest and recover the strength to continue. The second warns that this is when you're easy prey for flattery; if you resist it and expose what's wrong with clean hands, without a single flaw, success follows. The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, describes a time when balance matters: act quickly where you can, without overrating yourself, and step back to rest if needed. Watch out for the pleasant voices that arrive after a struggle. Recover, stay honest, and keep your judgment clear.
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 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
With the obstacles behind you, take a rest for now so you can recover your strength to keep going.
No fault.
- Line 2 of 40 Clearing Obstacles, which stays still
The obstacles are overcome; now you're easy prey for flattery. If you avoid falling for it and bring what isn't right into the open, cleanly and without a single flaw, you'll succeed.
On the hunt, catches three foxes and gains a yellow arrow. Constancy brings good fortune.
- 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 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.
- 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 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 57 Gentlenesslines 3, 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
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.