Transformation · line 3
Success in Small Matters becomes Passion
What this change means
What the third line asks is simple and hard: guard yourself more than seems necessary. Carelessness and excess bring trouble here, and the old text pictures someone following behind who can do harm if you don't take precautions. When this line moves, the Mountain below softens into Earth, and thunder bursts out over open ground: the resulting hexagram is 16 Passion. It describes a drive toward action strong enough to carry others along, as long as you also look after the needs of the people who work with you. The combination is a caution about enthusiasm. A surge of energy can make you careless, and careless momentum is exactly where this line sees danger. Let the drive move you, but check your back, your plans and your commitments. Share the energy with others and stay generous toward them; that care is also your protection.
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 62 Success in Small Matters
Carelessness and excess bring trouble.
Unless one goes beyond in guarding oneself, someone following will do harm. Misfortune.
- 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 16 Passion
A time of passionate drive toward action. You can pass this passion on to others to gain their help, which lets you take on big projects with resolve and optimism. For these ventures to succeed and last, you can't look after only your own interests; you also need to keep in mind the needs of the people working with you.
It is favorable to install lords and set the army in motion.
The trigrams
The way back
16 Passion → 62 Success in Small Mattersline 3
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.