Transformation · lines 4, 5, and 6

Gathering with Equals becomes Darkness

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Light sinks into the earth as the whole upper trigram moves, and Heaven above the fire turns to Earth. 13 Gathering with Equals speaks of meeting people of your own kind, trusting one another, and attempting large things in the open. 36 Darkness speaks of a dark time when circumstances push you to live alongside the wrong people, and when protecting yourself means keeping your light hidden. Held in balance, open fellowship isn't safe right now. Keep your integrity, but don't display your talents or your plans where they could be used against you. Stay close, quietly, to the few people you truly trust. Going unnoticed for a while isn't a betrayal of your values; it's how you keep them intact. Hard times pass, and the gathering can resume in daylight.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. The judgment of 13 Gathering with Equals

    It's a time of meetings with people of a high nature like yours, with whom you can carry out important tasks and projects. Relationships built on trust and mutual support take shape. Large, innovative projects are favored.

    Community in the open country. Success. It is favorable to cross the great river. The constancy of the noble person is favorable.

  2. The judgment of 36 Darkness

    It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.

    Constancy in hardship is favorable.

  3. Line 4 of 13 Gathering with Equals

    Despite the differences, if you reach agreements, trust will come back little by little.

    Climbing up on the wall, yet unable to attack. Good fortune.

  4. Line 5 of 13 Gathering with Equals

    The big differences seem impossible to bridge; still, with patience and a willing heart, union returns.

    Community: first wailing and cries, then laughter. The great armies manage to meet.

  5. Line 6 of 13 Gathering with Equals

    You're in a favorable position from which you can reach agreements with all kinds of people.

    Community on the outskirts. No regret.

The trigrams

Below Fire stays
Above Heaven Earth

The way back

36 Darkness → 13 Gathering with Equals
lines 4, 5, and 6

Other transformations of Gathering with Equals

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

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