What this change means
Fire above, Lake below: the second, third, fourth and top lines move. Of 38 Opposites, the resulting hexagram, the first and fifth lines stay as they are and give the advice. The first says not to try to join anyone by force; recognize differences, however large, and if someone close pulls away for a while, let them go, since they tend to come back on their own. The fifth says that among people unlike you, someone loyal will appear whom you won't recognize at first, and they'll come and support you. Coming from Darkness, this is a time to stop pushing for closeness. Accept distance. Stay open to unexpected allies. Watch for misjudging a friend because they don't look like one yet.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 38 Opposites, which stays still
Don't try to join with anyone by force; it's important to recognize differences, however large. Even if someone close to you pulls away for a while, let them go: they'll come back on their own.
Regret vanishes. The horse is lost: do not chase it; it comes back by itself. Seeing wicked people: no fault.
- Line 5 of 38 Opposites, which stays still
In the midst of opposites you'll find someone loyal whom you won't recognize at first, but they'll come to you and support you.
Regret vanishes. Their clan bites into tender flesh. Going: what fault could there be?
- 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.
- Line 2 of 36 Darkness
Difficulties are growing and circumstances affect you directly, but your firm resolve, acting for a greater good, and contributing as you're able will lead you to victory.
The wounded light: wounded in the left thigh. Rescued with a strong horse. Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 36 Darkness
A small stroke of luck lets you move forward, but the obstacles aren't overcome yet, so don't celebrate too soon. Stay alert until they're fully defeated.
The wounded light on the southern hunt: the great chief is taken. Constancy must not be hurried.
- Line 4 of 36 Darkness
You'll be allowed to see the causes of the hard situations you're facing. This will help you act quickly and withdraw to safe ground before adversity takes complete control.
It enters the left side of the belly; it reaches the heart of the wounded light and goes out through the courtyard gate.
- Line 6 of 36 Darkness
If you keep persevering, quietly and without drawing attention, the bad situations and the people behind them will fall under their own weight.
No light, darkness. First it climbs to heaven; later it goes into the earth.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
38 Opposites → 36 Darknesslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Darkness
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.