What this change means
Heaven fills the lower half and a lake crowns the top as the first, third, fourth and fifth lines move, and tension builds toward a breaking point. Two lines hold firm in the new figure, and they set the tone. The second asks you to act decisively while watching the signs, so you can take precautions when needed. The top warns that even in a moment of success you can't relax, because some people are undermining what you've achieved.
The resulting hexagram, 43 Overflowing, describes pressure about to spill over. It asks you to bring what's happening into the open with careful words, and to act generously to ease the strain. So keep the army's alertness even after a win. Be firm, be observant, and don't provoke. Watch for those quietly eroding your gains. Vigilance and generosity together can release the pressure without a rupture.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 43 Overflowing, which stays still
Act decisively, but pay attention to the signs so you can take precautions when needed.
A cry of alarm. At nightfall there are weapons: do not worry.
- Line 6 of 43 Overflowing, which stays still
In a moment of success and achievement you can't relax, because there are people undermining what you've achieved, and they'll lead you to loss.
No cry. In the end, misfortune.
- The judgment of 7 The Army
Whatever your question, the favorable answer comes from acting with discipline and organization: face the situation head-on and speak clearly, say what you want, without trying to impose it.
The constancy of a seasoned leader brings good fortune. No fault.
- Line 1 of 7 The Army
There has to be a just cause for you to move in the direction you want.
The army sets out under discipline. Without good order: misfortune.
- Line 3 of 7 The Army
If you don't keep up the conditions needed for success and you slacken in your task, there will be misfortune.
Perhaps the army hauls corpses on its carts. Misfortune.
- Line 4 of 7 The Army
If you feel you don't have enough in place to succeed, it's better to pull back and wait for a better moment to act again.
The army withdraws and makes camp. No fault.
- Line 5 of 7 The Army
Choosing the situations you're able to face will keep you out of useless fights.
There is game in the field. It is favorable to seize it. No fault. The eldest son leads the army; the younger son hauls corpses. Even with constancy, misfortune.
- The judgment of 43 Overflowing
It's a time of excessive buildup: some situations are about to get out of control and overwhelm you, both personally and in your relationships. You need to bring what's happening into the open, but without speaking about it directly; watch your words so you don't provoke reactions. It's a time to act generously to ease the tension that's there.
It is proclaimed in the king's court. A sincere cry: there is danger. Word comes from one's own city. It is not favorable to take up arms. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
43 Overflowing → 7 The Armylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of The Army
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.