Transformation · lines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Success in Small Matters becomes Release from Obstacles
What this change means
Wind blows over water, dispersing what was stuck, as five lines move and only the first holds still. That still line of 59 Release from Obstacles guides the reading: before a split begins, you can head it off by putting your resources together with others. The hexagram itself says you can free yourself from what holds you back by acting sincerely and bringing opposites together around shared goals; selfishness has caused the tension, and humility lets the current carry you. Coming from a time of small means, the counsel is to put what you have toward unity. Act early, before things come apart. Offer your resources to a common aim, set aside self-interest, and go with the flow of events rather than against it.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 59 Release from Obstacles, which stays still
Before the separation begins, you can use your resources to prevent it by joining forces.
Rescue comes with a strong horse. Good fortune.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 judgment of 59 Release from Obstacles
You can free yourself from the obstacles that hold you back if you're able to act sincerely and bring opposites together around shared goals. The tension has arisen because selfishness rules. To move forward, be humble and let the current carry you rather than going against it.
Success. The king goes to his temple. It is favorable to cross the great river. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
59 Release from Obstacles → 62 Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Success in Small Matters
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.