43
Hexagram 43, Guai: “Breakthrough,” “Resoluteness.” The moment when what has built up bursts through the obstacle.
The image of the hexagram
Below is the Qian trigram (heaven), above is Dui (lake). A lake over heaven: five yang lines push out the last yin line at the top — a breakthrough.
General meaning
The answer: act decisively and openly. Guai describes removing the last obstacle, which is a dangerous one — weak in strength but strong in position. The classic text demands openness: announce the decision at court rather than removing the problem quietly. And it warns against relying on force of arms: clarity will win, not harshness.
In love and at work
In relationships: a final decision, a conversation long put off, a break with whatever stands in the way. At work: fire someone, shut something down, state your position publicly. For compromise, no.
What to do
Say it openly and call things by their names. A half-measure here brings the whole problem right back.