Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Success in Small Matters becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Clouds and thunder fill the picture as four lines move: the Mountain becomes Thunder and the Thunder becomes Water. Something is trying to be born. The reading turns to the still lines of 3 Initial Obstacles. Its second line sees obstacles ahead and help on its way; move cautiously until you feel safe enough to accept that help. Its top line asks you not to give up or lose heart despite the difficulties. The resulting hexagram also suggests letting allies act for you for now, while staying alert for the time to take back the initiative. So the restraint of the starting situation carries over into a hard beginning. Don't force the start. Move carefully, accept representation and support, and keep your spirit up through the delays, because the effort is not wasted, only slow.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 3 Initial Obstacles, which stays still
Obstacles are on the way, but help will come. Act with caution until you feel secure and can receive that help.
Stuck, turning in place; the horses of the team pull apart. Not a raider: someone come to ask for marriage. The young woman is constant and gives no promise; after ten years she gives it.
- Line 6 of 3 Initial Obstacles, which stays still
Despite the obstacles, don't give up or lose heart.
The horses of the team pull apart. Weeping blood, in endless streams.
- 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 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.
- 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 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
The trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 62 Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Success in Small Matters
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 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.