Transformation · lines 3, 4, 5, and 6

Release from Obstacles becomes What Lasts

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Thunder and wind, moving together: with the upper four lines in motion, release becomes 32 What Lasts. The two still lines guide the reading, the first and the second. The first says not to expect extraordinary results when you're only just starting in the right direction. The second says your enthusiasm is greater than outside circumstances right now, and that keeping it will slowly overcome the inertia and move you toward success. So what was scattered can become something durable, but not overnight. This moment calls for action, guided by clear goals you keep moving toward. Don't be discouraged by modest early results, and don't let your drive fade when the world seems slow to respond. Steady, consistent effort in one direction is what turns a fresh start into something that endures.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. Line 1 of 32 What Lasts, which stays still

    Don't expect extraordinary achievements when you're only just starting to move in the right direction.

    Digging deep into duration. Even with constancy, misfortune. Nothing is favorable.

  2. Line 2 of 32 What Lasts, which stays still

    Right now your enthusiasm and passion are greater than outside circumstances. Staying that way will gradually overcome the stillness and move you toward success.

    Regret vanishes.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. The judgment of 32 What Lasts

    This moment asks you for action, not stillness. It asks you to have clear goals to head toward and to act in line with them. That way you'll achieve things, and your achievements will keep growing and will last.

    Success. No fault. Constancy is favorable. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.

The trigrams

Below Water Wind
Above Wind Thunder

The way back

32 What Lasts → 59 Release from Obstacles
lines 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.

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