What this change means
Heaven above and thunder below form when the first, fourth and top lines move: the gathering faces the question of pure intent. Both judgments matter equally. 8 Union asks whether you yourself have the qualities to carry the project, not only whether you have the right people; it even suggests asking the oracle a second time.
The resulting hexagram, 25 Innocence, says that acting with a pure heart, without hidden motives or straying from what's right, lets blessings reach you, while the opposite brings obstacles. So that self-examination becomes a check on motive. Ask why you want this alliance and what you hope to get from it. If the answer is clean, go ahead. Watch for joining people to use them. Honest intention, in yourself and in those you join, is what opens the way now.
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 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.
- The judgment of 25 Innocence
If you act with a pure heart, free of hidden motives and without straying from what is right, true to original human nature, you'll let the blessings of heaven reach you. Otherwise you'll meet obstacles and your affairs will become difficult.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. If it is not upright, there is calamity. It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
- 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 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 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 trigrams
The way back
25 Innocence → 8 Unionlines 1, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Union
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, and 3
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, and 4
- 49Renewallines 1, 3, and 4
- 28Excesseslines 2, 3, and 4
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 1, 3, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 2, 3, and 5
- 51Shocklines 1, 4, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 4, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 3, 4, and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 3, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 3, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 2, 4, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 3, 4, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 5, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 3, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.