Transformation · lines 4 and 6
Thrift becomes Treading Carefully
What this change means
Heaven above, the lake below: when the fourth and top lines move, the Water above becomes Heaven, and the result is 10 Treading Carefully. The top line leads: an exceptional time may require limits that look extreme, but they shouldn't be held too long. The fourth line balances it: limits work best when they aren't excessive and when you can find their kinder side. The tension between the two is the point. Sometimes you'll need to be strict; most of the time, gentle. The resulting hexagram describes a delicate situation where conduct matters most. Move with awareness and gentleness, and even possible rivals may give ground or become allies. So if you must enforce a hard line, do it with tact, and soften it as soon as you can. Firmness and courtesy can travel together.
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 60 Thrift
There are times when restrictions that seem extreme are called for. This is an exceptional time and it needs that kind of behavior, but don't keep it up too long.
Bitter measure. Even with constancy, misfortune. Regret vanishes.
- Line 4 of 60 Thrift
For good results right now, the limits you set yourself shouldn't be excessive, and you should find a way to enjoy them, to see their kinder side.
Calm measure. Success.
- The judgment of 60 Thrift
It's a time to conserve your time, energy and resources so you're ready for what lies ahead. If you do, when challenges arrive you'll be prepared and will overcome them easily.
Success. Bitter measure cannot be kept up with constancy.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
10 Treading Carefully → 60 Thriftlines 4 and 6
Other transformations of Thrift
- 8Unionlines 1 and 2
- 48Right Actionlines 1 and 3
- 63After the Endlines 2 and 3
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 4
- 17Adaptinglines 2 and 4
- 43Overflowinglines 3 and 4
- 7The Armylines 1 and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 4 and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 6
- 42Increaselines 2 and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 3 and 6
- 41Decreaselines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.