What this change means
Fire above, the lake below: the second, fifth and top lines move, and the two halves of the figure now pull apart. Both judgments count equally here. 17 Adapting is the skill of fitting in where you're needed, sometimes in front, sometimes behind. 38 Opposites describes people around you who differ from you, yet with whom you need to share a common task, which keeps what you can achieve small for now. The meeting point is a subtle kind of adapting. You're not asked to become like the others, nor to make them like you. Each side keeps its own nature and contributes from there. Don't give in, and don't try to win. Look for the small shared ground, work on it patiently, and accept modest results as a real achievement in a divided setting.
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 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 17 Adapting
Choosing very carefully who you surround yourself with makes your projects succeed.
Cling to the boy, lose the grown man.
- Line 5 of 17 Adapting
If a larger purpose drives you, a dream that inspires you, you'll get what you want.
Trust in what is good. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 17 Adapting
You can win followers and support; even the most powerful people back you and recognize you.
Seized and bound, then tied fast still more. The king makes his offering on the western mountain.
The trigrams
The way back
38 Opposites → 17 Adaptinglines 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Adapting
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, and 3
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, and 4
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, and 4
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 3, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 3, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 1, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 4, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 3, 4, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, and 6
- 1Activitylines 2, 3, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 4, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 3, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 3, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.