Transformation · lines 2 and 5
Release from Obstacles becomes The Fall
What this change means
When the fifth and second lines both move, the Water below sinks into Earth and the Wind above freezes into Mountain: 23 The Fall, a mountain resting on bare ground. The fifth line leads. In a time of deep division and widespread selfishness, make unity your aim, even yielding more than you think you should. The second line asks you to see where you've cut yourself off and to go back to what supports you. Together they speak of someone who wants to reunite people in a hostile season. The resulting hexagram is frank about the season: even when you're right, your words may not be believed, and people who misuse power are gaining ground. Don't push ahead. Stay close to your support, be generous with those who depend on you, and hold steady while circumstances shift. Unity now means protecting what's left.
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 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 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.
- 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 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 59 Release from Obstacleslines 2 and 5
Other transformations of Release from Obstacles
- 42Increaselines 1 and 2
- 9Small Thingslines 1 and 3
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2 and 3
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1 and 4
- 12Declinelines 2 and 4
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3 and 4
- 41Decreaselines 1 and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 3 and 5
- 64Transitionlines 4 and 5
- 60Thriftlines 1 and 6
- 8Unionlines 2 and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 3 and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 4 and 6
- 7The Armylines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.