What this change means
Heaven and water go opposite ways as the first and fifth lines move: Lake becomes Water below, Fire becomes Heaven above, and the figure is 6 Conflict. The fifth line leads. A loyal supporter is near you, though you may not recognize them at first, and they'll come to your side. The first line adds restraint: don't chase those who leave, and don't force anyone to join you. The resulting hexagram describes a dispute that action won't settle, where cleverness serves better than force, and where wise advice and letting events unfold help you out. So don't escalate. The disagreement is real, but trying to win it now tends to backfire. Let people go if they need to, accept the support that appears, and seek counsel from someone wise. Patience will untangle more than pressure.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 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 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
6 Conflict → 38 Oppositeslines 1 and 5
Other transformations of Opposites
- 35Advancelines 1 and 2
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1 and 3
- 30The Flamelines 2 and 3
- 4Immaturitylines 1 and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 2 and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 3 and 4
- 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.