Your current situation can be depicted as "Treading (Conduct)" transforming into "Following".
In front of you lies "Heaven" which transforms into "Lake". That means that strength and creativity are being transformed into joy, pleasure, and attraction. Behind you lies "Lake" which transforms into "Thunder". That means that joy, pleasure, and attraction are being transformed into movement, initiative, and action.
The Situation
10. Lu - Treading (Conduct) Above (in front): Ch'ien - The Creative (Heaven) Below (behind): Tui - The Joyous (Lake)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The name of the hexagram means on the one hand the right way of conducting oneself. Heaven, the father, is above, and the lake, the youngest daughter, is below. This shows the difference between high and low, upon which composure, correct social conduct, depends. On the other hand the word for the name of the hexagram, TREADING, means literally treading upon something. The small and cheerful [Tui] treads upon the large and strong [Ch'ien]. The direction of movement of the two primary trigrams is upward. The fact that the strong treads on the weak is not mentioned in the Book of Changes, because it is taken for granted. For the weak to take a stand against the strong is not dangerous here, because it happened in good humor [Tui] and without presumption, so that the strong man is not irritated but takes it all in good part.
The Judgement for the Current Situation
Treading. Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The situation is really difficult. That which is strongest and that which is weakest are close together. The weak follows behind the strong and worries it. The strong, however, acquiesces and does not hurt the weak, because the contact is in good humor and harmless. In terms of a human situation, one is handling wild, intractable people. In such a case one's purpose will be achieved if one behaves with decorum. Pleasant manners succeed even with irritable people.
The Image for the Current Situation
Heaven above, the lake below: The image of Treading. Thus the superior man discriminates between high and low, And thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Heaven and the lake show a difference of elevation that inheres in the natures of the two, hence no envy arises. Among mankind also there are necessarily differences of elevation; it is impossible to bring about universal equality. But it is important that differences in social rank should not be arbitrary and unjust, for if this occurs, envy and class struggle are the inevitable consequences. If, on the other hand, external differences in rank correspond with differences in inner worth, and if inner worth forms the criterion of external rank, people acquiesce and order reigns in society.
Interpretation of the Changing Line(s)
Line 2: Treading a smooth, level course. The perseverance of a dark man Brings good fortune.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The situation of a lonely sage is indicated here. He remains withdrawn from the bustle of life, seeks nothing, asks nothing of anyone, and is not dazzled by enticing goals. He is true to himself and travels through life unassailed, on a level road. Since he is content and does not challenge fate, he remains free of entanglements.
Line 6: Look to your conduct and weigh the favorable signs. When everything is fulfilled, supreme good fortune comes.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The work is ended. If we want to know whether good fortune will follow, we must look back upon our conduct and its consequences. If the effects are good, then good fortune is certain. No one knows himself. It is only by the consequences of his actions, by the fruit of his labors, that a man can judge what he is to expect.
The Future
17. Sui - Following Above (in front): Tui - The Joyous (Lake) Below (behind): Chên - The Arousing (Thunder)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The trigram Tui, the Joyous, whose attribute is gladness, is above; Chên, the Arousing, which has the attribute of movement, is below. Joy in movement induces following. The Joyous is the youngest daughter, while the Arousing is the eldest son. An older man defers to a young girl and shows her consideration. By this he moves her to follow him.
The Judgement for the Future
Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself. If a man would rule he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow him. If he has to obtain a following by force or cunning, by conspiracy or by creating factions, he invariably arouses resistance, which obstructs willing adherence. But even joyous movement can lead to evil consequences, hence the added stipulation, "Perseverance furthers"–that is, consistency in doing right–together with "No blame. " Just as we should not ask others to follow us unless this condition is fulfilled, so it is only under this condition that we can in turn follow others without coming to harm. The thought of obtaining a following through adaptation to the demands of the time is a great and significant idea; this is why the appended judgment is so favorable.
The Image for the Future
Thunder in the middle of the lake: The image of Following. Thus the superior man at nightfall Goes indoors for rest and recuperation.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
In the autumn electricity withdraws into the earth again and rests. Here it is the thunder in the middle of the lake that serves as the image–thunder in its winter rest, not thunder in motion. The idea of following in the sense of adaptation to the demands of the time grows out of this image. Thunder in the middle of the lake indicates times of darkness and rest. Similarly, a superior man, after being tirelessly active all day, allows himself rest and recuperation at night. No situation can become favorable until one is able to adapt to it and does not wear himself out with mistaken resistance.
10. Lu - Treading (Conduct)
17. Sui - Following