Hexagram 49 changing to 17: Revolution to Following

Where it starts: 49 Revolution

The moulting of a skin: a necessary, well-timed change that is believed only once it is done. Fire below, lake above: fire and water in conflict, each trying to destroy the other, like two daughters who cannot share a house. Revolution describes fundamental change, the kind that cannot be reformed into existence and must be made. The tradition's judgement is careful: on your own day you are believed; supreme success; persistence furthers; remorse disappears. Change of this order is not trusted in advance. It is justified by being the right change at the right time, made by the right person, and it is believed afterwards. The reading says the old form has to go, and it insists on timing, preparation and legitimacy.

Where it goes: 17 Following

Following what is right, and being followed: influence that comes from adapting to the time. Thunder below, lake above: movement within joy, thunder resting in the lake in autumn. Following describes the art of adapting, of going with the time rather than against it, and of leading by being worth following. The tradition's judgement promises success with persistence, and the condition is that what is followed must be good. This is not passivity or drifting. It is the choice to serve something you believe in, to let others serve you only when you have earned it, and to rest when the season asks for rest.

The lines that move

1. Line 3

   Going brings misfortune. Persistence brings danger. When talk of revolution has gone round three times, one may commit and be believed.

   Neither haste nor rigidity. Change forced through without consensus fails; change refused out of stubbornness is dangerous. The line's measure: when the need has been discussed thoroughly, one may act. Do not rush and do not refuse; act when the case has been made three times over.

What is changing. The situation of Revolution is moving toward Following. Make the necessary change at the right time, with preparation and legitimacy, and expect to be believed afterwards. As the change completes: Follow what is worth following, wholeheartedly, and adapt to the time.

love and relationships

Now: Something between you has to change fundamentally, not be patched. Prepare it, time it, and do it for reasons the other person will recognise afterwards even if they do not in advance. Do not revolt in a temper. Then: Go along with the other person's rhythm for now, and choose carefully whom you follow. Devotion to someone worth it is strength; devotion to anyone who asks is the error the lines describe.

career

Now: Radical change: a restructuring, a departure, a new direction that cannot be reached by adjustment. The reading supports it on conditions: the time must be ripe, the case must be sound, and you must be the right person to make it. Then: Adapt to the direction of the organisation or the leader, if the direction is sound. If you lead, you keep followers by being worth following, not by insisting. Rest when the day ends.

money

Now: A fundamental change of approach rather than a tweak. Make it once, deliberately, after preparation; a revolution made twice loses everyone's trust. Expect to be believed only when the results show. Then: Follow the trend that is real rather than fighting it, and follow advice that is proven. The reading favours flexibility and warns against clinging to a position out of pride.

decisions

Now: The decision is for real change, and the reading asks three questions before you make it: is it necessary, is it timely, and are you the one to do it? If all three are yes, decide and do not look back. Then: Choose the option that adapts to the situation as it is. If it means following someone else's lead, do it wholeheartedly or not at all; half-following is the worst of both.