Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Success in Small Matters becomes Inaction
What this change means
Four lines change, the Mountain becoming Heaven and the Thunder becoming Water: clouds rise into the sky, but the rain is not here yet. The reading rests on the still lines of the resulting hexagram, 5 Inaction. Its third line is short and clear: acting in haste will get you into trouble. Its top line offers comfort: just when everything seems against you, help appears that resolves the situation. The hexagram as a whole asks you to wait without standing still, preparing for the active time ahead and looking at conditions without fooling yourself. This continues the restraint of the starting situation. Small, careful steps are still the right scale, and rushing is the main danger. Use the pause to get ready, stay calm, and watch for the help that tends to arrive when it seems least likely.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 5 Inaction, which stays still
If you act in haste, you'll run into trouble.
Waiting in the mud. It brings the raiders on.
- Line 6 of 5 Inaction, which stays still
At a moment when everything seems to be against you, help appears that will resolve the situation.
Into the pit. Three guests come without being called; receiving them with respect brings good fortune at last.
- 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 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.
- Line 5 of 62 Success in Small Matters
Your humility will help you find people who will act on your behalf.
Thick clouds, yet no rain, out of our western fields. The prince shoots a corded arrow and takes what is in the cave.
- The judgment of 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
5 Inaction → 62 Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Success in Small Matters
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 3, 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.