What this change means
Heaven stands over a mountain once the third, fourth and top lines move, and the gathering prepares to withdraw. The two judgments carry equal weight. 8 Union treats joining as a source of good fortune, but only with those whose aims match yours and who will truly stand by you; the right union is chosen with care.
The resulting hexagram, 33 Leaving Behind, says stepping back now isn't bad. It helps you recover strength, think the situation through, and set it right; what seems a loss can turn into a gain if you let go of what doesn't serve you and return later in the right direction. So this may be the time to leave an alliance that isn't working. Do it cleanly, keep the bonds that are sound, and regroup. Watch for staying out of guilt or habit. Withdrawal can protect the unions worth keeping.
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 33 Leaving Behind
Leaving a path behind or stepping back right now isn't a bad thing. On the contrary, it will help you recover your strength and think carefully about the situation and how to set it right. Sometimes what looks like a loss turns into a gain, if you can let go of what isn't good for you and then pick up again in the right direction.
Success. In small things, constancy is favorable.
- 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 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
33 Leaving Behind → 8 Unionlines 3, 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
- 25Innocencelines 1, 4, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 2, 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.