Transformation · lines 5 and 6
Release from Obstacles becomes The Army
What this change means
Both upper lines move, and the Wind above becomes Earth: water held within the ground, the image of 7 The Army. The top line leads. It asks you to withdraw in time from whatever threatens you and those who depend on you; stepping back now dissolves the danger and is no mistake. The fifth line supports it: in deep division and selfishness, make unity the aim, giving more than you think you should. Together they describe someone responsible for others, putting the group's safety and cohesion first. The resulting hexagram says the favorable way is discipline and organization. Face the situation directly, speak clearly, say what you want without forcing it on anyone. Order isn't the opposite of generosity here; it's what lets generosity protect people. Lead with structure, and keep your people out of harm's way.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 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 7 The Army
Whatever your question, the favorable answer comes from acting with discipline and organization: face the situation head-on and speak clearly, say what you want, without trying to impose it.
The constancy of a seasoned leader brings good fortune. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
7 The Army → 59 Release from Obstacleslines 5 and 6
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
- 23The Falllines 2 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
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.