Transformation · lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
Observing becomes Overflowing
What this change means
The lake rises up to heaven as five lines move, leaving only the fifth still. That still line of 43 Overflowing carries the reading: holding to your integrity and to your path, no matter whom you face, is how you'll resolve the difficulties that arise.
The patient looking of the starting hexagram turns here into a time of buildup, with situations close to overflowing in your life and relationships. The resulting hexagram asks you to bring things into the open without blunt words, choosing language that doesn't provoke, and to act generously to ease tension. The still line adds your anchor. Stay true to your path regardless of who's in front of you. Watch for letting difficult people pull you away from your principles, or for blurting things out under pressure; integrity and careful speech tend to resolve what force would make worse.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 43 Overflowing, which stays still
If you keep your integrity and don't stray from your path, whoever you have to deal with, you'll resolve the difficulties that come up.
Purslane, pulled up with resolve. Walking the middle way: no fault.
- The judgment of 20 Observing
Observe before you act. Right now you're a source of inspiration for others, and at the same time you need to observe those who inspire you. This will let things unfold at the right moment, and perfectly.
Hands washed, the offering not yet made. There is sincere trust, solemn and grave.
- Line 1 of 20 Observing
It doesn't help to stop at appearances when you observe something. Go beyond simple looking: connect the facts.
Looking like a child. For the petty person, no fault; for the noble person, distress.
- Line 2 of 20 Observing
If your perception is subjective, you'll stay on the surface and never reach the heart of the situation.
Peeking through a crack. A woman's constancy is favorable.
- Line 3 of 20 Observing
Observing yourself, along with the signs coming from outside, will give you a full view of the situation and let you decide whether to advance or pull back.
Contemplating my own life: advancing or withdrawing.
- Line 4 of 20 Observing
You can look at things with wisdom and bring light where there is darkness. This will bring you recognition.
Contemplating the light of the kingdom. It is favorable to be the king's guest.
- Line 6 of 20 Observing
If you observe the laws that govern the world, the coming and going of things, you'll act wisely.
Contemplating their life. For the noble person, no fault.
- 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 → 20 Observinglines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Observing
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.