Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
Inner Peace becomes Gradual Progress
What this change means
Five lines move, only the fifth holding, and the trigrams become Mountain below and Wind above, a tree growing slowly on a mountain. The reading rests on that still fifth line of the resulting hexagram: partway along, you find yourself cut off, while unfriendly people spread misunderstandings about you; the only course is to wait it out calmly, since it tends to pass by itself. The resulting hexagram, 53 Gradual Progress, says progress comes step by step, in stages that make it stable, and that trying to hurry it brings delays. Inner peace is your main resource here. Don't fight the misunderstandings or rush to defend yourself. Stay calm, keep climbing one rung at a time, and let the noise die down by itself.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 53 Gradual Progress, which stays still
In the middle of your progress you're cut off, and hostile people stir up misunderstandings around you. All you can do is wait calmly for this to pass; it will pass on its own.
The wild goose moves by degrees to the hill. For three years the wife does not conceive; in the end nothing overcomes her. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 58 Inner Peace
You're in a time of calm and inner peace that lets you achieve great things. Spending time with people whose energy is like yours will nourish and recharge you to reach your aims. Still, don't lose sight of your goals, or you'll slide into inertia.
Success. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 1 of 58 Inner Peace
A state of calm and inner joy will help you stay centered and achieve what you want.
Joy in harmony. Good fortune.
- Line 2 of 58 Inner Peace
Take great care over whom you spend time with and what activities you choose, because if you let yourself be drawn into worldly things without cultivating your inner life, you'll stray from your goals.
Joy with trust. Good fortune. Regret vanishes.
- Line 3 of 58 Inner Peace
If you don't cultivate your inner strength and you let distractions carry you off, you may fall into addictions and drift from your purpose.
Joy that comes seeking. Misfortune.
- Line 4 of 58 Inner Peace
You're moving between serenity and indulgence. Indulgence leads to empty pleasure; serenity, to inner joy. That is the true path to success.
Joy that bargains, never at rest. Once the ill is set apart, there is gladness.
- Line 6 of 58 Inner Peace
If you haven't developed real inner peace, you're easy prey for shallow entertainments, which will win you over bit by bit until you lose yourself in them. Now you're only in the hands of fate; you have no control.
Joy that draws on.
- The judgment of 53 Gradual Progress
You'll make progress, and it will come step by step, gradually, through stages that make it lasting and stable. Trying to speed things up will bring delays and obstacles. Keep at it, one rung at a time.
The woman goes to be married: good fortune. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
53 Gradual Progress → 58 Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Inner Peace
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.