40
Hexagram 40, Jie: “Resolution,” “Deliverance.” The difficulty that stood in hexagram 39 is lifted.
The image of the hexagram
Below is the Kan trigram (water), above is Zhen (thunder). Thunder over water: the storm has passed, the tension has discharged — an image of release.
General meaning
The answer is favorable: the obstacle is going away. Jie describes the moment of release — forgiveness, a debt written off, the end of a dispute, recovery. The classic text gives two instructions: forgive quickly, and don’t delay the return to ordinary life. Dragging out the post-mortem after everything has been resolved is this hexagram’s main mistake.
In love and at work
In relationships: reconciliation, the end of a long quarrel, letting go of resentment; a good sign for a couple. At work: a conflict ends, a project is unblocked, access is restored. For a new round of having it out, no.
What to do
Close the subject today and don’t come back to it. Release only works when it is complete.