Hexagram 33, Line 3

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line depicts a difficult and compromised retreat. The need to withdraw from an unfavorable situation is clear, yet you are held back by attachments, obligations, or emotional ties. This is the "entangled retreat" (係遯), which creates a state of anxiety and risk ("distress and danger"). You are too close to the advancing negative forces and cannot make a clean break. The advice, "To keep male and female servants brings good fortune," is symbolic. It means that while grand, decisive actions are impossible right now, there is benefit in managing the very things that entangle you. By carefully handling your immediate responsibilities and the people you are connected to—much like a master managing a household—you can contain the danger. The good fortune mentioned is not about great success, but about stabilizing a perilous situation and preventing it from collapsing entirely. You cannot achieve a perfect escape, but you can skillfully manage your entanglements to survive and maintain your integrity.

Guidance for Action

Acknowledge that a full, clean retreat is not currently possible. Your immediate task is to identify the people, duties, or feelings that are holding you back. Instead of fighting against these ties, which will only increase the danger, you must manage them with firm and careful attention. Do not attempt any major new undertakings or grand strategic moves; your energy is required for damage control. Set clear boundaries with those you are entangled with. Delegate where you can. The goal is not to win or escape flawlessly, but to navigate the connections that bind you without being dragged down. Your focus should be on small, practical, and stabilizing actions.

For Love & Relationships

This line points to a relationship where a separation is necessary but deeply complicated. You feel a strong pull to leave, yet you are entangled by shared history, emotional dependency, or practical responsibilities like children or finances. This creates significant emotional distress. A dramatic, sudden exit will likely backfire, causing more pain and chaos. The wise path is to manage the separation process responsibly. Focus on the practicalities: establish a clear co-parenting plan, divide assets fairly, and communicate with calm firmness. The "good fortune" comes from handling these necessary ties with maturity, which prevents the situation from becoming a destructive battle. Grand romantic ideals must be set aside in favor of responsible management of the entanglement.

For Career & Business

You are in a job, project, or business that is no longer viable, but leaving is fraught with difficulty. You may be bound by contracts, loyalties to your team, or financial obligations to partners. This entanglement makes the retreat dangerous; a hasty exit could result in legal issues, financial penalties, or a damaged reputation. Your best strategy is a controlled, gradual withdrawal. Fulfill your core duties and manage your team or subordinates with care ("keep servants"). By ensuring stability for those who depend on you, you create the space needed for your own eventual exit. Postpone any ambitious new career plans or ventures. Your priority now is not to leap forward, but to carefully and responsibly untangle yourself from the current situation.

For Financial Matters

You are likely tied to a failing investment, a burdensome debt, or a financial agreement that is draining your resources. While you know you should get out, contractual obligations or emotional attachment make it a risky and painful process. Liquidating assets in a panic or defaulting on an obligation could lead to severe losses ("distress and danger"). The guidance here is to manage the situation, not to make a rash move. Focus on what you can control. Meticulously manage your budget and handle your smaller, more stable assets or income streams ("keep servants"). Communicate with creditors or dependents with clarity and firmness. Avoid any large, speculative financial ventures. The "good fortune" lies in containing the damage and stabilizing your finances, not in making a miraculous profit.