Transformation · lines 3 and 6
Treading Carefully becomes Overflowing
What this change means
The lake rises up to heaven as the third and top lines move, and pressure builds where it can spill. The sixth line leads: review the steps you've taken, read the signs, and act decisively when they're favorable. The third line is the warning against reading them wrong: overrating yourself draws you into tasks you're unprepared for, and the tiger bites. The resulting hexagram, 43 Overflowing, describes a dangerous buildup, situations close to spilling out of control, personally and with others. What's happening needs to come into the open, but indirectly and with care, and generosity can ease the tension. So check your confidence against the facts before you move. Speak about the strain without provoking anyone. Act firmly once the signs are clear, but don't mistake bravado for readiness, and give more than you hold back.
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 3 of 10 Treading Carefully
By overestimating your abilities, you may take on tasks you're not prepared for.
The one-eyed can see, the lame can walk. Stepping on the tiger's tail, and it bites. Misfortune. A warrior acts for the great prince.
- 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 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 → 10 Treading Carefullylines 3 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
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 2 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.