Transformation · lines 1, 3, and 5
Success in Small Matters becomes Adapting
What this change means
Thunder moves into the middle of the lake as three lines change, and the figure shifts from holding back to following. Both judgments weigh the same. The starting hexagram holds that little things can be done while big ones can't, and that rising when you should come down wastes your effort. The resulting hexagram, 17 Adapting, describes a time both to lead and to follow: see the place life is asking you to take now, act genuinely from there, and leadership and support will grow. The common thread is knowing your place. You don't need to push for the front; you need to fit what the moment asks of you, without pretending to more or less than you are. Follow where following makes sense, lead where it's natural, and rest when the day is done.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- The judgment of 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 62 Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Success in Small Matters
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, and 3
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, and 4
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 3, and 4
- 7The Armylines 2, 3, and 4
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 1, 4, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 4, and 5
- 8Unionlines 3, 4, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 4, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 4, and 6
- 23The Falllines 3, 4, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 3, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.