Transformation · lines 1 and 3
Opposites becomes The Vessel of Nourishment
What this change means
Fire burns over wood as the first and third lines move: the lower Lake turns to Wind, and the figure becomes 50 The Vessel of Nourishment. The third line leads. Even when conditions turn against you, even under attack, staying faithful to yourself and to those you admire tends to carry you through. The first line supports it: don't force closeness; let those who drift away come back by themselves. The resulting hexagram describes change that happens naturally, little by little, the way food cooks. Keep your enthusiasm alive and know what resources you have. So this is a slow transformation. Hardship and distance are part of the process, not signs of failure. Stay loyal to what matters, stop chasing people, and tend the fire patiently. The change you need is already cooking.
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 38 Opposites
Even if conditions turn against you and you're even attacked, staying true to yourself and to those you admire will lead you to success.
Sees the cart dragged back, the ox held fast; the driver, branded on the forehead, nose cut off. No beginning, but an end.
- 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.
- 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 judgment of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great good fortune. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
50 The Vessel of Nourishment → 38 Oppositeslines 1 and 3
Other transformations of Opposites
- 35Advancelines 1 and 2
- 30The Flamelines 2 and 3
- 4Immaturitylines 1 and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 2 and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 3 and 4
- 6Conflictlines 1 and 5
- 25Innocencelines 2 and 5
- 1Activitylines 3 and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 4 and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1 and 6
- 51Shocklines 2 and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 3 and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 4 and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.