What this change means
Fire above the lake: four lines move, and the twin mountains become two elements that pull apart. With four lines changing, the counsel comes from the still lines of the new figure. In 38 Opposites, you're among people unlike you, yet you need to share with them, and for now achievements are small. Its fifth line says that among these differences you'll find someone loyal whom you won't recognize at first, but who will come and support you. Its top line describes isolation and confusion so deep you might mistake friends for enemies, even be about to strike at them; little by little the fog lifts, and joining like-minded people brings success. So be slow to judge. Keep your own nature, watch who actually shows up, and let the confusion clear.
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, which stays still
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, which stays still
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 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
- Line 1 of 52 Abiding
Better to stop too soon than to take ill-advised steps.
Still the toes. No fault. Lasting constancy is favorable.
- Line 2 of 52 Abiding
Right now you can only see to stopping yourself in the right place; you can't make sure others do the same.
Still the calves. It cannot come to the aid of what it follows; the heart is not glad.
- Line 3 of 52 Abiding
The stillness you need now can't be forced. It has to come from a calm heart and unhurried breathing.
Still the waist; the flesh along the spine is torn. Danger: the heart is smothered.
- Line 4 of 52 Abiding
You're able to stay calm and trust that the universe will take care of things.
Still the trunk. 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 trigrams
The way back
38 Opposites → 52 Abidinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Abiding
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 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.