Transformation · lines 1, 4, and 5
Opposites becomes Release from Obstacles
What this change means
Lake becomes Water below and Fire becomes Wind above as the first, fourth and fifth lines move; wind over water forms 59 Release from Obstacles. Both judgments are read side by side. Opposites tells of a setting where others are unlike you and only small steps are possible, though no one should give up their nature. The resulting hexagram says you can free yourself from what holds you back by acting sincerely and bringing opposites together around a common aim; selfishness caused the tension, and humility eases it. Together, this is a hopeful movement. The division can soften, not by erasing differences, but by finding a goal both sides care about. Put aside self-interest, be humble, and let the current carry you. Speak sincerely. What was scattered can begin to gather.
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 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 59 Release from Obstacles
You can free yourself from the obstacles that hold you back if you're able to act sincerely and bring opposites together around shared goals. The tension has arisen because selfishness rules. To move forward, be humble and let the current carry you rather than going against it.
Success. The king goes to his temple. It is favorable to cross the great river. Constancy is favorable.
- 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 4 of 38 Opposites
Keeping to yourself in this time of opposition will help you find people who are truly like you and achieve success.
Alone in opposition, meets a worthy man; they trust each other. Danger. 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?
The trigrams
The way back
59 Release from Obstacles → 38 Oppositeslines 1, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Opposites
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, and 3
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, and 4
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 3, and 4
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 3, and 4
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 3, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2, 3, and 5
- 42Increaselines 2, 4, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 3, 4, and 5
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 3, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 3, and 6
- 7The Armylines 1, 4, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 4, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 3, 4, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2, 5, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 3, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.