What this change means
Lake joined to lake: four lines move, the first, second, fourth and top, and the figure fills with calm water. The two still lines of 58 Inner Peace guide the reading. The third warns that without cultivating inner strength, if distractions sweep you along, you can slide into addictions and lose your purpose. The fifth says contact with the wrong people can lead you there too, but once you see it and stop, you're back on the path to inner peace.
So the observation of the starting hexagram turns toward your own pleasures and company. Look honestly at what distracts you and who pulls you away from your aims. Peace here is real, but it needs protecting. Watch for comfort sliding into habit, and habit into dependence; seeing it early and setting it aside tends to restore the calm this movement offers.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 58 Inner Peace, which stays still
If you don't cultivate your inner strength and you let distractions carry you off, you may fall into addictions and drift from your purpose.
Joy that comes seeking. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 58 Inner Peace, which stays still
Contact with the wrong people can lead you into distraction and addiction. Once you realize it and put a stop to it, you'll get back on the path to inner peace.
Trusting what strips away: there is danger.
- 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 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 58 Inner Peace
You're in a time of calm and inner peace that lets you achieve great things. Spending time with people whose energy is like yours will nourish and recharge you to reach your aims. Still, don't lose sight of your goals, or you'll slide into inertia.
Success. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
58 Inner Peace → 20 Observinglines 1, 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Observing
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 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.