The 64 hexagrams · No. 40
Hexagram 40: Deliverance
Thunder and rain arise together. Tie up one loose end.
An original modern reflection on the I Ching image. This is not a translation of the classical Judgment or line statements.
Tie up one loose end
Thunder and rain suggest a release after pressure has gathered. Once a difficult moment begins to ease, there may still be small repairs to make: an explanation, an apology, a handoff, or a task left hanging. Finish one of these gently, while allowing time to recover from the strain.
A question to sit with
Which lingering issue could be settled by one clear explanation or a modest act of follow-through?
One small step
Complete one manageable piece of unfinished business. Tell the relevant person it is done, then leave a little time before taking on another demand.
Reading the figure
The upper trigram is Thunder; the lower trigram is Water. The first line is at the bottom, and the sixth is at the top. You identify this hexagram from its six-line figure, not from a word match to your question.
Read the image alongside the actual circumstances you know. Notice what fits and what does not. The relating hexagram depends on your changing lines, so there is no single fixed “next hexagram” for this pattern.
What changes when one line moves?
This map changes exactly one line at a time. If your cast has several changing lines, all of them flip together; the resulting pattern may differ from every row below. These are structural changes, not translations of the classical line statements.
| Changing position | Relating hexagram |
|---|---|
| Line 1 · bottom | 54. The Marrying Maiden |
| Line 2 | 16. Enthusiasm |
| Line 3 | 32. Duration |
| Line 4 | 7. The Army |
| Line 5 | 47. Oppression |
| Line 6 · top | 64. Before Completion |
Learn how changing lines work →
Keep a reading journal
If this hexagram appeared in a reading, note your question, your six coin totals, and one thing you want to observe. Come back later to record what happened. Your notes can help you see how your understanding changed, even when a reflection did not fit.
Try the free three-coin I Ching tool →
Classical reference: The Book of Changes. English names vary by edition; the number, pinyin and figure make the identification clear. About our method and sources.