What this change means
Every line but the third moves, and fire now rises over a lake: the alliance faces people unlike itself. That lone still third line holds the meaning. Even when conditions turn and you come under attack, it says, faithfulness to yourself and to the people you admire is what carries you to success.
The resulting hexagram, 38 Opposites, describes being among people different from you with whom you must still share; what you can achieve for now is small, but don't give in, and let each side keep its own nature while contributing to a common project. So loyalty is the anchor in a divided setting. Stand by your values and by the people you respect, even under pressure. Watch for abandoning your allies to placate critics. Fidelity under strain tends to be what eventually wins respect from the other side.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 38 Opposites, which stays still
Even if conditions turn against you and you're even attacked, staying true to yourself and to those you admire will lead you to success.
Sees the cart dragged back, the ox held fast; the driver, branded on the forehead, nose cut off. No beginning, but an end.
- The judgment of 8 Union
Right now success lies in joining with people who are aligned with your project and who are a support for you. But it's important that you, too, have the qualities needed to carry it out; that's why you can toss the coins once more to find out whether you have those qualities.
Good fortune. Consult the oracle again: great and lasting constancy. No fault. The restless come from every side. The one who comes late: misfortune.
- Line 1 of 8 Union
The right help will come.
There is sincere trust: join with them. No fault. Sincere trust fills the earthen jar; in the end something more arrives. Good fortune.
- Line 2 of 8 Union
When you speak sincerely about what you need from others, you'll receive the right help.
Joining from within. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 4 of 8 Union
Staying loyal to the people you ally with, and showing that alliance openly, helps you right now.
Joining outwardly. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 5 of 8 Union
Those who can help you will come naturally. Don't keep seeking help from someone who is reluctant to give it.
Open union. The king hunts, driving from three sides, and lets the game in front escape. The townspeople are not alarmed. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 8 Union
If you're slow to seek alliances, by the time you realize you need help it will be too late.
Joining with no head. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 38 Opposites
You're in a situation of opposition: the people around you are different from you, yet you need to share with them. This means that what you can achieve for now is small. Even so, don't give in. It matters that both you and they keep your own nature and contribute from there to a shared project.
In small matters, good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
38 Opposites → 8 Unionlines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Union
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.