What this change means
The lake rises over the earth as four lines move, the first, second, fifth and sixth, and the figure becomes 45 Meeting. Its still lines lead. The third says you're trying to join people who aren't willing, and that someone who can bring you closer to that group will help. The fourth says that acting without selfish aims, on behalf of someone above you, brings reward. The resulting hexagram itself describes a favorable gathering, a time to ask for help, take on important things, and prepare for the unexpected. So the opposition can turn into a meeting, but not by forcing your way in. Find a go-between. Serve a cause or a person larger than yourself, without angling for gain. Let the gathering form, and stay ready for surprises.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 45 Meeting, which stays still
You're trying to meet with people who aren't willing. If you look for someone who can bring you closer to that group, you'll get help.
Gathering, sighing. Nothing is favorable. Going: no fault. Small distress.
- Line 4 of 45 Meeting, which stays still
When you act without selfish aims and on behalf of someone above you, you're rewarded.
Great good fortune. 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 1 of 38 Opposites
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 2 of 38 Opposites
You can reach agreements with people like you whom you're not in touch with, using skillful means to bring those meetings about.
Meets their lord in a back lane. No fault.
- Line 5 of 38 Opposites
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?
- Line 6 of 38 Opposites
Isolation leads you into a moment of confusion where you don't recognize friends or allies; you're even about to attack them. But little by little the confusion clears, and joining with like-minded people will bring you success.
Alone in opposition: sees a pig covered in mud, a cart loaded with ghosts. First the bow is drawn; then it is set down. Not a raider: a wedding party. If on the way the rain comes, good fortune.
- The judgment of 45 Meeting
A very favorable situation is coming, with everything ready for you to take the next step toward your goals. You can ask for help and meet with those who will support you. It's a time to take on important things, do some kind of spiritual practice, and prepare in case anything unexpected happens.
Success. The king comes to his temple. It is favorable to see the great person. Success. Constancy is favorable. Offering large animals brings good fortune. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
45 Meeting → 38 Oppositeslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Opposites
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 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.