Transformation · lines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Release from Obstacles becomes Success in Small Matters
What this change means
Thunder over the mountain, sounding small and far: five lines move and only the first stays, turning release into 62 Success in Small Matters. The reading rests on that still first line. It warns that not knowing your limits, and reaching past what you can manage right now, will cost you. After a time of scattering, you may feel tempted to make up for lost ground in one big move. This change advises the opposite. This isn't a time for great things but for small achievements, and recognizing that lets you live in step with the moment. Measure your means and resources honestly. Do the modest thing well. Pushing past your present capacity would waste your effort and could lead you astray. Small, careful gains now are the real success.
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 62 Success in Small Matters, which stays still
Failing to recognize your limits and trying to go beyond what you can do right now will bring you loss.
The bird in flight: so, 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.
- 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 judgment of 62 Success in Small Matters
This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
62 Success in Small Matters → 59 Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Release from Obstacles
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.