Transformation · lines 2, 3, 4, and 5
Release from Obstacles becomes The Traveler
What this change means
With lines two through five in motion, the water and wind become fire on a mountain: 56 The Traveler. The reading leans on the two lines that stay still, the first and the top. The first asks you to act with dignity and focus on what really matters; relaxing too much and treating things lightly will bring trouble. The top warns that if you forget you're only passing through and stop tending to your deeper purpose, problems will follow. So the release from obstacles leads you somewhere new and unsettled. You may be in unfamiliar places or roles, adapting while things take hold. Travel light, let go of attachments, and be gracious with the people you meet. But keep your seriousness. A traveler who gets careless loses their way; one who stays clear about why they're traveling arrives.
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 56 The Traveler, which stays still
It's a time to act with dignity and focus on what really matters right now. Relaxing too much and not taking things seriously will bring trouble.
The traveler, small and niggling: so disaster is brought on.
- Line 6 of 56 The Traveler, which stays still
If you relax too much, forgetting that you're only passing through, and stop tending to your ultimate purpose, you'll run into problems.
The bird burns its nest. The traveler laughs first and wails aloud after. Loses the ox at Yi. Misfortune.
- 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.
- 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 3 of 59 Release from Obstacles
If you're clear about your goals and purposes, you'll be able to give ground so as to find unity and get past the obstacles.
Scatters its own self. No regret.
- Line 4 of 59 Release from Obstacles
Free yourself from personal loyalties and focus on what you want to achieve; this will lead you to success.
Scatters its band: great good fortune. The scattering forms a hill: not what ordinary people imagine.
- Line 5 of 59 Release from Obstacles
In times of deep division and widespread selfishness, make unity your aim, even if it means yielding more than you think you should.
Scatters its great proclamation like sweat. Scatters the dwelling of the king. No fault.
- The judgment of 56 The Traveler
It's a time of small achievements. Keep a light, flexible attitude. You may be facing a period of change, new places or situations that ask you to adapt while they settle: let go of attachments and be gracious as you make new connections and your situation takes hold.
Small success. For the traveler, constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
56 The Traveler → 59 Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Release from Obstacles
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 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.