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I Ching · Hexagram 33 Retreat

Hexagram 33 for career: Retreat

遯 Dùn · Career

The environment is turning against you and confrontation would lose. Withdraw strategically: reduce exposure, keep your work impeccable in small things, and do not engage the people who are gaining ground. Retreat early and it is a choice.

Mountain below, heaven above: heaven receding from the mountain. Two yin lines are entering at the bottom and rising; the strong lines above withdraw in good order. Retreat is not flight. The tradition's judgement is that retreat succeeds, and that persistence in small things furthers. The reading describes a situation in which the lesser is gaining ground and the right response is not to fight it head-on but to withdraw with dignity, keeping one's distance and one's standards, and giving no ground in the small things that define who you are. Timing is everything: the retreat done early is a strategy; done late, it is a rout.

Advice
Withdraw early, calmly and with reserve; hold your standards in the small things.
Warning
A retreat delayed until it is forced is a rout, and a retreat made in anger loses its dignity.

The changing lines, read for career

If your cast of Hexagram 33 had changing lines, these are what each one adds to a career question, and where each leads.

  1. Line 1 · changes into 13 Fellowship

    At the tail of the retreat. Danger. Do not undertake anything. You are exposed at the rear; do nothing and draw no attention.

  2. Line 2 · changes into 44 Coming to Meet

    Held fast with yellow oxhide. No one can tear him loose. Hold fast to the person worth holding to; that bond will not break.

  3. Line 3 · changes into 12 Standstill

    A halted retreat is nerve-racking and dangerous. Keeping people as servants and maids brings good fortune. Do not let obligations halt the retreat; keep them in their place and keep moving.

  4. Line 4 · changes into 53 Development

    Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior person and downfall to the inferior. Retreat by choice and let go cleanly.

  5. Line 5 · changes into 56 The Wanderer

    Friendly retreat. Persistence brings good fortune. Withdraw on good terms and do not waver about it.

  6. Line 6 · changes into 31 Influence

    Cheerful retreat. Everything furthers. Leave lightly; certainty about the retreat is what makes it cheerful.

Hexagram 33 in fullLove & relationshipsMoneyA decision

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