What this change means
All three lower lines change, and Mountain becomes Lake beneath the fire, two elements pulling apart. The reading balances two judgments. The Traveler describes a time of small achievements, change and unfamiliar settings, asking for a light, flexible attitude and graciousness with new people. The resulting hexagram, 38 Opposites, describes living among people who are not like you while still needing to share with them. What can be done together is modest, but giving up isn't the answer; each side keeps its own nature and adds from there to a common effort. The two fit well. You're a stranger among strangers, and that's fine. Don't try to become someone else to belong, and don't close yourself off either. Be courteous, stay yourself, and look for small, shared tasks.
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 56 The Traveler
It's a time of small achievements. Keep a light, flexible attitude. You may be facing a period of change, new places or situations that ask you to adapt while they settle: let go of attachments and be gracious as you make new connections and your situation takes hold.
Small success. For the traveler, constancy brings good fortune.
- 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 1 of 56 The Traveler
It's a time to act with dignity and focus on what really matters right now. Relaxing too much and not taking things seriously will bring trouble.
The traveler, small and niggling: so disaster is brought on.
- Line 2 of 56 The Traveler
You carry with you the resources you need to be secure wherever you are and whatever comes up. You'll draw help from simple, capable people.
The traveler reaches the inn, carries their goods close, and gains a young servant who is loyal.
- Line 3 of 56 The Traveler
If you lose your kindness now and turn irritable and aggressive, you'll bring on trouble.
The traveler burns down the inn and loses the young servant. Constancy is in danger.
The trigrams
The way back
38 Opposites → 56 The Travelerlines 1, 2, and 3
Other transformations of The Traveler
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 4
- 4Immaturitylines 2, 3, and 4
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 2, 3, and 5
- 37The Tribelines 1, 4, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 2, 4, and 5
- 20Observinglines 3, 4, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 3, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 1, 4, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 2, 4, and 6
- 2Passivitylines 3, 4, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 3, 5, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.