Transformation · lines 1 and 6
Opposites becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
Thunder and rain break loose when the first and sixth lines move: Lake becomes Water, Fire becomes Thunder, and the figure is 40 Clearing Obstacles. The top line leads. Isolation has bred confusion, friends mistaken for enemies, but the fog lifts little by little, and joining with like-minded people brings success. The first line supports it: don't chase those who left, and don't force closeness; they'll come back. The resulting hexagram says obstacles have been overcome one by one, and asks for balance: act quickly where you can, without overrating your abilities, and rest when you need it. So the worst of the misunderstanding is passing. Let it go. Forgive what was said in confusion, welcome back those who return, and move forward at a pace you can keep. Release, here, is mostly a matter of letting go.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 38 Oppositeslines 1 and 6
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
- 6Conflictlines 1 and 5
- 25Innocencelines 2 and 5
- 1Activitylines 3 and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 4 and 5
- 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.