Transformation · line 3
After the End becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
What the third line describes is a long campaign: the High Ancestor marches on a distant land and takes three years to win, and the petty person is not to be employed. If you want to expand now, it will take extreme measures to clear what blocks the way, and you need to be careful about whom you rely on. When this line moves, the Fire below turns into Thunder under the water, and the resulting hexagram is 3 Initial Obstacles. It advises against acting directly: find allies who can act for you and represent you, while you watch for the moment to take back control. So expansion is possible but costly, and it's slow. Weigh whether the gain is worth the effort. If you go ahead, choose trustworthy people, leave out anyone small-minded, and expect a hard, drawn-out start.
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 63 After the End
If you want to expand right now, you'll have to use extreme measures to clear the obstacles in the way.
The High Ancestor attacks the land of Guifang; in three years he conquers it. Do not employ the petty person.
- The judgment of 63 After the End
You're in a situation where you'll have a passing success: everything seems to be in your favor, and at the end comes a period of stagnation. If you prepare for it ahead of time, you'll be able to soften its effects.
Success in small things. Constancy is favorable. At first, good fortune; in the end, disorder.
- 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 → 63 After the Endline 3
Other transformations of After the End
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.