Hexagram 38, Line 6

The Line Text

Interpretation

This top line represents the climax and resolution of the entire situation of Opposition. The estrangement has reached its peak, leading to extreme isolation ("in opposition, one is solitary"). In this state of profound separation, one's perception becomes distorted by suspicion and paranoia. The world appears hostile and grotesque; one "sees a pig covered in mud" (something lowly and repulsive) and "a cart full of ghosts" (imagined fears and threats). The initial, instinctual reaction is defensive and aggressive: "first one draws the bow." However, the wisdom of this line lies in the crucial turning point. A moment of clarity or insight allows one to pause and re-evaluate the situation, leading one to "lay the bow aside." There is a profound realization that the perceived enemy is not a threat at all ("he is not a robber"). In fact, this other person or situation holds the potential for union and alliance ("he will be a marriage partner"). The conflict was a product of misunderstanding. The final image, "meeting rain," symbolizes the release of this tension. The rain washes away the mud, dispels the ghostly illusions, and clears the air. As the commentary confirms, this auspicious outcome is achieved because "all doubts vanish." The core issue was never external but internal—a state of mind clouded by suspicion. Once this internal state is corrected, reconciliation and progress become possible.

Guidance for Action

You have reached the peak of a period of misunderstanding and feel completely isolated. Your judgment is likely clouded by fear and suspicion, causing you to see the worst in others and to imagine threats that aren't real. Your first instinct may be to attack or defend yourself aggressively. The guidance here is to consciously override that impulse. Take a deep breath and lower your defenses. Question your own perceptions. Are you projecting your fears onto the situation? Make an effort to see the person or situation from a completely new perspective. The "enemy" you perceive is almost certainly a misunderstanding. By letting go of your hostility and suspicion, you create an opening for communication and reconciliation. This release of tension will feel like a cleansing rain, washing away all doubts and allowing a new, positive relationship to form.

For Love & Relationships

You feel profoundly alone and disconnected from your partner or a potential love interest. The relationship is fraught with suspicion, and you may be interpreting their actions in the worst possible light, seeing them as selfish, deceitful, or malicious ("a pig covered in mud"). Your mind is filled with imaginary fears about their intentions ("a cart full of ghosts"). You are on the verge of a major confrontation or of ending things altogether. Stop. The I Ching advises you to lay down your weapons. The person you see as an adversary is, in fact, your partner—someone with whom union is the natural goal. The conflict is a phantom born of your own doubts. If you can let go of these suspicions and approach them with an open heart, a healing conversation (the "rain") can occur, washing away the misunderstandings and allowing your love to be renewed.

For Career & Business

In your professional life, you feel completely isolated and unsupported. You may view your colleagues, boss, or a competitor as an enemy plotting against you. You are seeing conspiracies and negative intentions everywhere, and your stress levels are high. You are ready to go on the offensive, to file a complaint, or to engage in office warfare. This line strongly advises against that. Your perception is distorted by the pressure of the situation. The person you see as a threat may actually be a potential ally or someone whose goals are not in conflict with yours. Take a step back from the brink. Lower your guard and try to see the situation from their point of view. A simple, non-confrontational conversation can clear the air, dispelling the "ghosts" of suspicion and leading to a surprisingly productive and collaborative outcome.

For Financial Matters

Your financial situation has you in a state of extreme anxiety and paranoia. You see every market fluctuation as a sign of impending doom and every investment opportunity as a potential scam ("a cart full of ghosts"). This fear is isolating you and driving you toward rash, defensive decisions, like selling everything in a panic. You are "drawing the bow" against the market itself. The advice is to calm down and "lay the bow aside." Your fear is the greatest enemy right now, not the external conditions. The "pig covered in mud" could be an undervalued asset that you are misjudging due to its unappealing appearance. Wait for the "rain"—a moment of clarity when your panic subsides. Only then can you see the situation clearly, recognize that the perceived threats were exaggerated, and potentially find a fortunate opportunity for union (a good investment, a beneficial partnership) where you once only saw danger.