Transformation · lines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Opposites becomes Initial Obstacles
What this change means
Clouds and thunder gather as the second, fourth, fifth and sixth lines move: the figure becomes 3 Initial Obstacles. Its still lines lead. The first says it's time to let others act for you. The third says obstacles now aren't solved by acting but by stepping back until conditions improve. The resulting hexagram itself describes hard beginnings, when it's better to find allies who represent you, while staying alert for the moment to take back the initiative. So in this time of opposition, your direct involvement may stir things up. Step back. Let trusted people speak and act on your behalf. Don't force solutions. Wait for conditions to shift, and keep watching. When the time comes to step forward again, you'll know, and the ground will be firmer under you.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 3 Initial Obstacles, which stays still
It's time to let others act for you.
Hesitating, circling by the rock. Abiding in constancy is favorable. It is favorable to install lords.
- Line 3 of 3 Initial Obstacles, which stays still
Right now obstacles aren't solved by acting: they're solved by stepping back until conditions improve.
Chasing the deer with no gamekeeper, only going deeper into the forest. The noble person sees the sign and would rather let it go. Going on: distress.
- 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.
- 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 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?
- 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 judgment of 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
The trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 38 Oppositeslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Opposites
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.