Transformation · lines 4, 5, and 6
Release from Obstacles becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder and rain break loose: with the fourth, fifth and top lines moving, the Wind above becomes Thunder and the result is 40 Clearing Obstacles. Both judgments matter equally. The starting hexagram finds the cause of the tension in selfishness and asks for sincerity, humility and shared goals. 40 Clearing Obstacles says the blocks have been overcome one by one, and that balance matters now: move fast and firmly where you can, without overestimating your strength. If you need rest, or even a step back before going on, take it. So the release is already underway. The task now is to finish cleanly. Settle what remains while the way is open, and forgive what can be forgiven. Don't overextend in the relief of the moment; knowing when to pause is part of the clearing.
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 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 59 Release from Obstacleslines 4, 5, 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
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 6
- 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.