What this change means
Fire on the mountain is the picture once the second and third lines move: someone on the road, passing through. The third line leads, warning that haste or force will fail you, and that the way back on course is to accept help from people who can give it. The second line agrees and adds the method: be patient, wait for the right moment, and prepare while you wait. The resulting hexagram, 56 The Traveler, describes a time of small achievements and change, new places or situations that call for a light, flexible attitude, letting go of attachments and being gracious as new connections form. So the crossing is a journey rather than a leap. Travel light, prepare as you go, and rely on the people you meet along the way. Small, adaptable steps will get you there.
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 64 Transition
Acting hastily or trying to force things will lead to failure. Recognizing this and leaning on those who can help you will let you get back on course.
Before crossing, setting out brings misfortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- Line 2 of 64 Transition
Patience, and waiting to act at the right moment, matter, but while you wait, get ready.
Drags back on its wheels. Constancy brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 64 Transition
Things are coming together so that success can arrive and you can take on great projects, but some things still haven't fallen into place. So stay alert, so you don't make mistakes born of immaturity, or you'll drift from your goals. This can happen even after you've gotten what you want: you stop, you hesitate, and mistakes happen.
Success. The little fox has nearly crossed and wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.
- The judgment of 56 The Traveler
It's a time of small achievements. Keep a light, flexible attitude. You may be facing a period of change, new places or situations that ask you to adapt while they settle: let go of attachments and be gracious as you make new connections and your situation takes hold.
Small success. For the traveler, constancy brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
56 The Traveler → 64 Transitionlines 2 and 3
Other transformations of Transition
- 21Bitinglines 1 and 2
- 14Wealthlines 1 and 3
- 41Decreaselines 1 and 4
- 23The Falllines 2 and 4
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 3 and 4
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1 and 5
- 12Declinelines 2 and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3 and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 4 and 5
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1 and 6
- 16Passionlines 2 and 6
- 32What Lastslines 3 and 6
- 7The Armylines 4 and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.