Transformation · lines 1 and 6
Treading Carefully becomes Overwhelmed
What this change means
Lake above, water draining below: the top and first lines move, and the lake empties. The sixth line leads, asking you to review your steps, read the signs, and act decisively once they're favorable. The first line adds an unadorned step, made quietly, that keeps you on your own business without fault. The resulting hexagram, 47 Overwhelmed, describes a heavily pressed time: the wrong people around you, words that aren't believed, obstacles on every side. You can only accept it and wait for better conditions, drawing on the inner light within you. So the two lines show how to get through. Keep a low profile and concentrate on your work. Watch the signs patiently rather than reacting to every pressure. When they finally turn, act decisively. Until then, your inner strength is the resource that won't fail you.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 10 Treading Carefully
If you watch for the favorable signs to know when to act, and then act decisively, you'll succeed.
Looking back over the steps taken, examining the signs. If it turns back on itself: great good fortune.
- Line 1 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're in a position out of view that will let you focus on your projects.
A plain step. Going: no fault.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
- The judgment of 47 Overwhelmed
Things are very much against you: the wrong people surround you, no one believes what you say, and obstacles hem you in. All you can do is accept it and wait for better conditions to come. Your only resource is the inner light that lives in you; turn to that strength to hold you up right now.
Success. For the great person, constancy brings good fortune. No fault. They speak and are not believed.
The trigrams
The way back
47 Overwhelmed → 10 Treading Carefullylines 1 and 6
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 12Declinelines 1 and 2
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1 and 3
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2 and 3
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1 and 4
- 42Increaselines 2 and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 3 and 4
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 5
- 21Bitinglines 2 and 5
- 14Wealthlines 3 and 5
- 41Decreaselines 4 and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 2 and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 3 and 6
- 60Thriftlines 4 and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.