What this change means
Alone in opposition, the fourth line meets a worthy person, and the two trust each other. It moves alone, so it's the heart of this change. Keeping to yourself in a time of conflict isn't a loss: it's what helps you find people who are truly like you, and with them, success. There is danger, but no fault. With the upper Fire turning to Mountain, the figure becomes 41 Decrease, a lake at the mountain's foot. The resulting hexagram asks for moderation, saving your energy and resources and avoiding excess while you prepare for growth later. So this is a time to pull in. Don't spread yourself thin trying to fit in everywhere. Spend less, say less, and stay with your own nature. The right ally tends to show up in that quiet, and trust grows from there.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
The trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 38 Oppositesline 4
Other transformations of Opposites
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.