What this change means
Thunder and lightning arrive together when lines two, three and six move: Lake turns to Fire, Fire to Thunder, and the figure becomes 55 Abundance. Both judgments carry equal weight. The starting hexagram sets you among people unlike you, where only small things can happen, yet where you should keep your character and contribute. The resulting hexagram describes growth toward plenty and satisfaction, lasting a while, and asks you to enjoy it and, when it wanes, stay calm. Together they describe a surprising turn. Out of opposition can come a full season. Enjoy it, and share it, including with those who differ from you. Don't expect it to last forever. When it fades, there's no need for sadness. What you built across the divide tends to remain.
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 55 Abundance
You're growing toward a period of satisfaction and abundance. It will last for a while, and when it ends, stay calm, without sadness or worry. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it wanes, keep your spirits up and enjoy what you've achieved.
Success. The king reaches it. Do not grieve: the noonday sun is fitting.
- 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 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 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 trigrams
The way back
55 Abundance → 38 Oppositeslines 2, 3, and 6
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
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 4, and 5
- 42Increaselines 2, 4, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 3, 4, and 5
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 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.