Transformation · lines 1, 2, and 6
Release from Obstacles becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Clouds and thunder gather where water ran under the wind: the first, second and top lines move, and the result is 3 Initial Obstacles. The two judgments weigh equally. The first says you can free yourself from what holds you back through sincere action, by uniting those who disagree behind a common aim, and by moving humbly with the current. The second says this isn't the time to act directly; look for allies who can represent you, people who can act on your behalf, while you stay alert for the moment to take back the initiative. So release leads into a hard beginning. The way out is cooperative in both: you don't force your way through alone. Let others carry part of the load, choose them well, and watch the timing. When the knot loosens enough, you'll know it's time to step forward yourself.
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 59 Release from Obstacles
You can free yourself from the obstacles that hold you back if you're able to act sincerely and bring opposites together around shared goals. The tension has arisen because selfishness rules. To move forward, be humble and let the current carry you rather than going against it.
Success. The king goes to his temple. It is favorable to cross the great river. Constancy is favorable.
- The judgment of 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
- Line 1 of 59 Release from Obstacles
Before the separation begins, you can use your resources to prevent it by joining forces.
Rescue comes with a strong horse. Good fortune.
- Line 2 of 59 Release from Obstacles
Recognizing that you've isolated yourself and pulled away from shared purposes will help you get past the obstacles.
In the scattering, it runs to its support. Regret vanishes.
- Line 6 of 59 Release from Obstacles
Get away in time from whatever puts you and your people in danger. Withdrawing now isn't running away: it's dissolving the risk before it reaches you, and there's no mistake in that.
Scatters its blood; goes away, departs far off. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 59 Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 6
Other transformations of Release from Obstacles
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, and 3
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, and 4
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 4, and 5
- 35Advancelines 2, 4, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 3, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 4, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 2, 4, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 3, 4, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 5, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 2, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 3, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.