I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 15 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 to Hexagram 38

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 15.1.2.3.4.6 -> 38

Old Yin Young Yin Old Yin Old Yang Old Yin Old Yin

15. Leveling

Yang Yin Yang Yin Yang Yang

38. Divergence

15. Leveling (謙 Qiān)

Trigrams

Above
☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
Below
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness

The Symbolism of Hexagram 15

Hexagram 謙 (Qiān) describes a condition in which what is elevated is lowered and what is low is raised, creating balance. It is not self-effacement, but the proper adjustment of excess and deficiency.

Hexagram 15 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
謙亨，君子有終。
(Qiān hēng, jūn zǐ yǒu zhōng.)
English Translation:
"Leveling brings smooth progress. The superior person brings it to completion."

When excess is reduced and deficiency is filled, movement becomes smooth. This creates a condition in which processes can continue without disruption.

The superior person carries this adjustment through to its conclusion, ensuring that balance is not temporary but sustained.

Hexagram 15 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
地中有山，謙。君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。
(Dì zhōng yǒu shān, qiān. Jūn zǐ yǐ póu duō yì guǎ, chēng wù píng shī.)
English Translation:
"A mountain rises within the earth: leveling. The superior person gathers what is excessive and adds to what is lacking, distributing things according to balance."

The mountain is contained within the earth, its height moderated rather than exposed. This reflects reduction of excess.

Balance is achieved not by equalizing everything blindly, but by measuring and adjusting according to what each situation requires.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。
(Qiān qiān jūn zǐ, yòng shè dà chuān, jí.)
English Translation:
"Balanced in balance, the superior person uses this to undertake a major transition. Favorable outcome."

At the beginning, alignment is already established. Because there is no excess or distortion, movement through difficulty is possible.

The crossing succeeds because nothing is carried in imbalance.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
鳴謙，貞吉。
(Míng qiān, zhēn jí.)
English Translation:
"Balancing is made evident. Correct alignment leads to a favorable outcome."

Balance becomes visible outwardly, not hidden. It is recognized through its effects.

Maintaining this state steadily ensures that the condition remains stable and beneficial.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
勞謙君子，有終，吉。
(Láo qiān jūn zǐ, yǒu zhōng, jí.)
English Translation:
"Working within balance, the superior person brings it to completion. Favorable outcome."

Balance requires effort to maintain. It is not static, but continuously adjusted through activity.

Because this work is sustained, it leads to completion without disruption.

Line 4 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
無不利，撝謙。
(Wú bù lì, huī qiān.)
English Translation:
"Nothing is unfavorable. Guiding through balanced adjustment."

Here, balance is actively directed. Adjustment is applied where needed.

Because it is responsive and measured, there is no disadvantage in any direction.

Line 6 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。
(Míng qiān, lì yòng xíng shī, zhēng yì guó.)
English Translation:
"Balancing is made evident. It is favorable to set things in motion to restore alignment."

At the highest level, balance is applied outwardly across a wider field. Correction extends beyond the immediate situation.

This is not conquest, but the reordering of what has fallen out of alignment.

Changing to:

38. Divergence (睽 Kuí)

Trigrams

Above
☲ Lí (Fire) — 火 · Radiance
Below
☱ Duì (Lake) — 澤 · Open

The Symbolism of Hexagram 38

Hexagram 睽 (Kuí) describes divergence—components of a system remain connected but move in different directions. Alignment is partial, not absent.

Fire above and lake below move in opposing tendencies: fire rises, lake settles. This creates separation within a shared structure. The system does not collapse, but coherence is reduced.

Hexagram 38 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
睽，小事吉。
(Kuí, xiǎo shì jí.)
English Translation:
"Divergence. Small actions bring favorable outcome."

The system is not fully aligned, so large-scale coordination is not possible. However, local actions remain effective.

Working within limited scope preserves function. Attempting large integration would create conflict.

Hexagram 38 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
上火下澤，睽。君子以同而異。
(Shàng huǒ xià zé, kuí. Jūn zǐ yǐ tóng ér yì.)
English Translation:
"Fire rises while the lake descends: divergence. The superior person preserves common ground within difference."

The system contains opposing tendencies within a single framework. Separation occurs without total disconnection.

Common ground exists, but expression differs. Stability depends on recognizing both unity and separation.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team