Transformation · lines 1, 3, and 6
Success in Small Matters becomes Biting
What this change means
Three lines move, the Mountain becoming Thunder and the Thunder becoming Fire, so the stillness at the base turns into thunder and lightning. Both judgments are given equal weight. The starting hexagram keeps you to the small scale, and warns that climbing when you should descend wastes your effort. The resulting hexagram, 21 Biting, asks you to act firmly and decisively against obstacles, through legal means if it comes to that, with energy and clear limits. The tension is real: modesty on one side, force on the other. The bridge is precision. Act firmly, but only on a specific obstacle that you can actually deal with, rather than taking on everything. Set your limits clearly, and use your energy where it counts. A sharp, well-aimed bite works here; a grand campaign wouldn't.
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 21 Biting
It's a time for firm, decisive action to overcome obstacles, even legal action if needed. Success is within reach if you act with energy and set limits. Don't be afraid: act.
Success. It is favorable to bring things to judgment.
- 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 6 of 62 Success in Small Matters
If you insist on chasing goals that are out of reach for now, you'll lose whatever you put into them.
Not meeting it, goes past it. The bird in flight falls into the net. Misfortune. This is called calamity and ruin.
The trigrams
The way back
21 Biting → 62 Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, and 6
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
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 3, 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
- 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.