解
Hexagram 40 · 解
Upper trigram: 震 · Lower trigram: 坎
Jie (Release): the hexagram of loosening difficulty. Resolve what remains, forgive proportionately, and return to ordinary life without delay.
The image
Thunder stands above water, movement emerging from difficulty. Rain and thunder loosen what has been held tight. Jie means release or untying. The image concerns completing necessary action so that people can stop organizing life around an old tension.
Judgment
利西南，无所往，其來復吉。有攸往，夙吉。
The southwest is beneficial. If there is nowhere to go, returning brings good fortune. If there is somewhere to go, acting early brings good fortune.
The commentary distinguishes returning to balance from finishing a task that still needs action. After a delayed project is unstuck, a team may need to settle one remaining issue promptly and then resume its normal work.
Great Image
雷雨作，解；君子以赦過宥罪。
Thunder and rain arise: Release. The exemplary person accordingly pardons errors and deals leniently with offenses.
Releasing tension includes allowing a corrected mistake to remain corrected. A supervisor can keep a clear record of a lesson learned without using the old error to shame a colleague repeatedly.
Line texts
Line 1 · 初六
无咎。
No blame.
Six in the first place is yin meeting firm support at the beginning of release. The Small Image finds that relationship appropriate, like accepting help with a small difficulty before it becomes a larger dispute.
Line 2 · 九二
田獲三狐，得黃矢，貞吉。
Hunting, one catches three foxes and gains a yellow arrow. Constancy brings good fortune.
Nine in the second place is central yang able to identify what complicates matters. The Small Image credits the middle way, like clearing several misleading assumptions before making a balanced practical decision.
Line 3 · 六三
負且乘，致寇至，貞吝。
Carrying a load while riding in a carriage draws raiders near. Persisting brings humiliation.
Six in the third place is yin occupying an unsuitable station with conflicting signals. The Small Image questions self-created difficulty, like claiming authority without accepting its duties and then resenting colleagues' objections.
Line 4 · 九四
解而拇，朋至斯孚。
Release your big toe. Then friends arrive, and there is trust.
Nine in the fourth place is yang that must loosen an unhelpful lower attachment. The Small Image notes its imperfect position, like ending a distracting side arrangement before asking dependable partners to commit to the main work.
Line 5 · 六五
君子維有解，吉；有孚于小人。
The exemplary person brings release. Good fortune. There is evidence of this among the petty people.
Six in the fifth place is central yin able to release constraining influences. The Small Image points to petty conduct withdrawing, like a leader making fair procedures credible enough that manipulative tactics lose their place.
Line 6 · 上六
公用射隼，于高墉之上，獲之，无不利。
The lord shoots a hawk on a high wall and takes it. Nothing is unfavorable.
Six at the top is yin completing release through a prepared, focused act. The Small Image names the removal of disorder, like resolving the final outstanding approval that has kept a whole project waiting.
When asking about
Career
A blockage may now be easier to address. Complete the remaining task and let the team return to ordinary responsibilities.
Love
A corrected misunderstanding can make room for relief. Forgiveness works best alongside clear expectations for changed conduct.
Money
Settling an unclear obligation can simplify planning. Close the loose ends instead of immediately adding new complexity.
Home
A household can benefit from releasing an old grievance. Agree on the practical repair and avoid repeated reproach.
Study
Clearing one confusing assumption may unlock a wider subject. Review what changed and continue without unnecessary delay.
Health
After a tense period, allow ordinary rest and quiet habits to return. See a doctor for any health concern.
Advice
Resolve what still requires action and release what no longer does. Let relief become a return to balanced life rather than an excuse for fresh entanglement.
Related hexagrams
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