What this change means
Fire doubles as five lines move and only the second holds, and the dark water of 8 Union becomes clear light, inside and out. The second line, the one at rest, carries the reading. It says that persevering, staying linked to what's right and following your own inner guidance, brings achievement and brilliance.
The resulting hexagram, 30 The Flame, speaks of clarity in what you do, your inner self guiding you toward your goals, and a generous attitude that shares your light and increases your gains. So the search for outer allies turns inward first. Trust your own sense of what's right, keep at it, and let your clarity draw others. Watch for depending so much on others' approval that you lose your own direction. Light that comes from within tends to illuminate the people around you too.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 30 The Flame, which stays still
Perseverance and a connection with what is right, as you follow your inner guidance, will bring you achievement and brilliance.
Yellow radiance. Great good fortune.
- 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 3 of 8 Union
You tend to choose badly the people you join with. Avoid shallow alliances that won't bear good fruit.
Joining with those who are not the right ones.
- 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 30 The Flame
There's clarity in what you do: your inner self guides you toward your goals. A generous attitude helps you, one that leads you to share your light, and this will increase your gains and achievements.
Constancy is favorable. Success. Raising a cow brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
30 The Flame → 8 Unionlines 1, 3, 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.