I Ching

An image of estrangement is indicated here.  When brothers and sisters marry, they grow apart, since their allegiances now lie with new families.  Though they will remain close enough to successfully deal with problems and share minor interests, they will be unable to undertake any great projects together.  Simply put, when people grow apart – even for the most natural of reasons – their points of view, values and interests diverge.

Divergent natures and interests do bring opposition into the world of human affairs.  And when opposition drifts into alienation and enmity, no good results.  But when opposition takes the form of healthy competition, or when it is simply part of the natural order of things and is recognized as such, good fortune is possible.

Even when diverging energies make a situation seem stagnant or futile, remember: there are always creative possibilities inherent in polarities.  One is reminded of the interplay of opposites that is fundamental for the creation of life itself.  But when opposition has its roots in issues of principle, hold to your integrity and individuality.  Avoid becoming involved with vulgar or base people who do not share your values.  With both people and companies, one measure of stature is the quality of the competition.

1. Trying to rectify estrangements caused by small personal misunderstandings can easily lead to situations similar to that of a man whose horse escapes his barn.  When the man dashes after the horse in a futile effort to capture it, the horse merely runs faster, and further away.  But if the man simply returns home, the matter is settled quite easily, for the horse will likely return to the barn once it becomes hungry or thirsty.
   Let small disputes solve themselves; application of too much power in petty disputes can drive you further from your goal, and make reconciliation more difficult afterwards.
2. This is a difficult time to get together with others with whom you have misunderstandings.  However, if you do get the chance to meet “accidentally” in informal circumstances, there is an opportunity for real compromise, provided there is an inner affinity between you and your opponent.  This can only happen when you let go of mistrust and let yourselves be open to each other’s truth.
3. This is the line of Murphy’s Law: everything that could have gone wrong, has.  It may seem at times that all of creation is conspiring against you, but when opposition to progress is at its peak, an opening often emerges.  When bad luck strikes, the best strategy is to latch onto someone whose luck is better.  With the right attitude and persistence, good fortune in the end.
4. If you find yourself in a group of people with whom you have little in common, a seed of inner opposition can grow into true isolation.  In such circumstances, the ideal solution is to find a soul-mate, someone with whom you share deep interests, and whom you trust completely.  Through the taking of a good friend or lover, inner opposition can be overcome.
5. When someone of sincere intent at first appears to oppose you, look deeper.  It may be that you have misjudged this person, or that you have been wrong in your own attitudes or behavior.  In this world, sincere people should be met openly; how could this be a mistake?
6. Estrangement can arise from a failure to clearly perceive the world.  Overly defensive people often ascribe all sorts of sinister motives to other people, even to those who would be their friends.  This kind of thinking obviously leads to isolation.  All that is necessary to reverse this kind of cycle is to observe the world more closely, without prejudice.  And, deep inside, to admit your the error in your attitude.  This can lead to an increase in self-esteem, which may strike at the root of the problem.
   Those who think well of others tend to think well of themselves, and vice versa.