Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Success in Small Matters becomes Fleeting Success
What this change means
Four lines move, from the bottom up through the fourth, and the picture changes entirely: the Mountain becomes a Lake and the Thunder becomes Earth. With this much in motion, the reading turns to the two lines that stay still in the resulting hexagram, 19 Fleeting Success. That hexagram announces a good spell that is limited in time, and asks you to read the signs and take precautions before conditions change. Its fifth line counsels surrounding yourself with capable people, respecting what they do and encouraging their autonomy, which brings a stable achievement. Its top line asks for generosity while you have power and plenty, helping others improve so success keeps going. Coming from a time of small means, this is a real opening. Make the most of it by sharing the work and the gains. Don't try to hold everything yourself, and prepare quietly for the turn.
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 19 Fleeting Success, which stays still
Surrounding yourself with capable collaborators and respecting what they do, encouraging their autonomy, will bring you a stable achievement.
Drawing near with wisdom: what befits the great ruler. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 19 Fleeting Success, which stays still
Being generous in times of power and plenty, helping others improve, will keep your success going.
Drawing near with generosity. Good fortune, no fault.
- The judgment of 62 Success in Small Matters
This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great good fortune.
- Line 1 of 62 Success in Small Matters
Failing to recognize your limits and trying to go beyond what you can do right now will bring you loss.
The bird in flight: so, misfortune.
- Line 2 of 62 Success in Small Matters
Recognizing your limitations right now and focusing on small achievements will bear fruit.
Passes the grandfather and meets the grandmother; does not reach the lord and meets the minister. No fault.
- Line 3 of 62 Success in Small Matters
Carelessness and excess bring trouble.
Unless one goes beyond in guarding oneself, someone following will do harm. Misfortune.
- Line 4 of 62 Success in Small Matters
It's not the time to act, but it is the time to stand firm, without straying from your purposes, until the time to act arrives.
No fault. Without going beyond, it meets it. Going is dangerous: be on guard. Do not act with lasting constancy.
- The judgment of 19 Fleeting Success
A period of luck, fortune and well-being is coming. Make the most of it, because it will last only eight months; after that, conditions will change. If you can pay attention, read the signs and take care and precautions before the decline arrives, you won't avoid it, but you will lessen its effects while circumstances change.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. When the eighth month comes, misfortune.
The trigrams
The way back
19 Fleeting Success → 62 Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Success in Small Matters
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 29Waterlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.