38 · Opposition (KUÍ)
Opposition begins with two movements pulling apart: fire rises and the lake settles below. Small tasks can still go well. The lines move through lost trust, blocked travel, lonely encounters and frightening misreadings toward a meeting made possible by rain.
The judgment
Opposition: in small matters, good fortune.
When people pull in different directions, sweeping action is fragile. Begin with work that can be done clearly and modestly; a small success may create room for a later meeting.
Original Chinese text
睽：小事吉。
The six lines
- 初九 · Line 1 — Regret disappears. Lose a horse: do not chase; it returns itself. Meet an unpleasant person: no blame.
Original Chinese
悔亡，喪馬勿逐，自復；見惡人无咎。
- 九二 · Line 2 — Meet the lord in an alley; no blame.
Original Chinese
遇主于巷，无咎。
- 六三 · Line 3 — See a cart dragged back and its ox held fast; the person is branded on the forehead and has the nose cut. No good beginning, but an end is reached.
Original Chinese
見輿曳，其牛掣，其人天且劓，无初有終。
- 九四 · Line 4 — Alone in opposition, meet a worthy man; exchange trust. Despite danger, no blame.
Original Chinese
睽孤，遇元夫，交孚，厲无咎。
- 六五 · Line 5 — Regret disappears. One's kin bites through the flesh; what blame is there in going forward?
Original Chinese
悔亡，厥宗噬膚，往何咎。
- 上九 · Line 6 — Alone in opposition: see a pig coated with mud and a cart full of ghosts. First draw the bow, then release it. They are not raiders but a wedding party. Going and meeting rain is auspicious.
Original Chinese
睽孤，見豕負塗，載鬼一車，先張之弧，後說之弧，匪寇婚媾，往遇雨則吉。