Hexagram 40Upper Zhen · ThunderLower Kan · Water

Xie · Release

解卦 · 雷水解

Relief
Letting go
Resolution
Forgiveness

The Judgment

In (the state indicated by) Kieh advantage will be found in the south-west. If no (further) operations be called for, there will be good fortune in coming back (to the old conditions). If some operations be called for, there will be good fortune in the early conducting of them.

利西南。无所往，其来复吉。有攸往，夙吉。

The Image

Thunder and rain set in: release. The noble one, in the same way, pardons mistakes and forgives wrongs.

雷雨作，解。君子以赦过宥罪。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

What has been troubling you is starting to loosen, like spring thunder bringing rain and the ice beginning to melt. Xie is a symbol of release from difficulty. You may have just come through a tense period, or be standing at the point where a problem is about to be solved.

Where to put your effort

Use the turning point to clear up what remains quickly; the earlier you act, the easier it will be. Let go of old mistakes and grudges; there is no need to keep holding on. Also clear away the people and habits that drag you down. Travel light and you will truly be free.

Four areas of life

Career: Trouble is resolved and your reputation rises.
Wealth: Good timing and good place; harmony with people matters most.
Family: Pray to ease difficulties; an auspicious marriage.
Health: The medicine works and the illness clears.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Six at the beginningThe first line, divided, shows that its subject will commit no error.Moving

初六：无咎。

Image：Where firm and yielding meet: by rights, no blame.

Career: Difficulties have just eased; do not act rashly.
Wealth: No losses is luck enough.
Family: Days pass in peace.
Health: All is well.

Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows its subject catch, in hunting, three foxes, and obtain the yellow (= golden) arrows. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.Moving

九二：田获三狐，得黄矢，贞吉。

Image：Nine in the second place, perseverance brings good fortune: finding the middle way.

Career: Turn from the crooked to the straight and success is in sight.
Wealth: Work hard at the business and you can earn well.
Family: Guard against bad influences; you will find a true partner.
Health: Guard against unhealthy thoughts and illnesses.

Six in the third placeThe third line, divided, shows a porter with his burden, (yet) riding in a carriage. He will (only) tempt robbers to attack him. However firm and correct he may (try to) be, there will be cause for regret.Moving

六三：负且乘，致寇至，贞吝。

Image：Carrying a load while riding: it is shameful. Inviting the attack oneself: who else is to blame?

Career: Improper conduct brings disgrace on yourself.
Wealth: Guard against theft to avoid losses.
Family: Theft is hard to prevent; rich but unkind.
Health: Taking medicine carelessly causes your own trouble.

Nine in the fourth place(To the subject of) the fourth line, undivided, (it is said), ‘Remove your toes. Friends will (then) come, between you and whom there will be mutual confidence.’Moving

九四：解而拇，朋至斯孚。

Image：Free yourself from your big toe: the position is not right.

Career: Opportunities come only through others.
Wealth: Little profit, but true friendships.
Family: Hard to settle down; an influential matchmaker.
Health: Jogging keeps you fit.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, shows (its subject), the superior man (= the ruler), executing his function of removing (whatever is injurious to the idea of the hexagram), in which case there will be good fortune, and confidence in him will be shown even by the small men.Moving

六五：君子维有解，吉，有孚于小人。

Image：The noble one frees himself: the petty people withdraw.

Career: Good luck flows; favourable for the noble one.
Wealth: Just get on with it and profit will come.
Family: A blessed home to live in; an auspicious marriage.
Health: Your vitality returns.

Six at the topIn the sixth line, divided, we see a feudal prince (with his bow) shooting at a falcon on the top of a high wall, and hitting it. (The effect of his action) will be in every way advantageous.Moving

上六：公用射隼于高墉之上，获之无不利。

Image：The duke shoots the hawk: to resolve rebellion.

Career: Things go smoothly; watch out for petty thieves.
Wealth: Stay alert and you will profit without loss.
Family: Guard against burglary.
Health: Exercise outdoors.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

Free during beta

Bring your own question to the AI

The classics speak in general terms; your situation is specific. Bring the question on your mind, cast a Plum Blossom Divination reading, and let the AI help you think it through.

Ask DeepHeart free →