What this change means
Thunder in the middle of a lake: the first, second and top lines move, and the clash of 6 Conflict gives way to a question of who leads and who follows. Three lines move, so both judgments count. The first warns that action can't solve the dispute; cleverness works better than force, along with patience and the advice of someone wise.
17 Adapting, the resulting hexagram, says it's a time both to lead and to follow. Seeing the place life asks you to take, and acting genuinely from there, brings you more leadership and more support. Together, the conflict may come from fighting for the wrong position. Let go of where you think you should stand and find where you actually fit. Watch for treating every role but the top one as a defeat.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- The judgment of 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
- The judgment of 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
- Line 1 of 6 Conflict
Even if the situation invites gossip, holding firm is your best move.
Not dragging the matter out. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 2 of 6 Conflict
Withdrawing in time, even if it looks cowardly, is the best move right now.
Unable to win the lawsuit. Turning back, slipping away; the people of the town, three hundred households, come to no harm.
- Line 6 of 6 Conflict
Insisting on being right at this moment will only make you lose.
Perhaps a belt of honor is bestowed; before the morning is out, it is stripped away three times.
The trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 6 Conflictlines 1, 2, and 6
Other transformations of Conflict
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, and 3
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 3, and 4
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, and 4
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 3, and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 3, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 1, 4, and 5
- 23The Falllines 2, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 3, 4, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 3, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 1, 4, and 6
- 8Unionlines 2, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 2, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 3, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.