What this change means
Fire kindles under the wind as the first and third lines move. The third leads: observe yourself together with the signs from outside, and you'll see the whole situation clearly enough to choose whether to advance or step back. The first line supports it by asking you to go beyond appearances and connect the facts rather than stopping at what's obvious.
The resulting hexagram, 37 The Tribe, describes right relationships, everyone in their place and doing their role, which moves things forward and makes success last. It also asks that your words match your actions. Put together, this movement points your observation at your closest circle: home, team, community. Look at your own part honestly, look at how the group really works, and adjust. Watch for judging the household by its surface; real order comes from seeing clearly who does what, and from your own conduct matching what you say.
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 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 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.
- 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.
- The judgment of 37 The Tribe
Right relationships, with everyone in their proper place and fully carrying out their role, will move things forward and make success last. Your words need to match your actions so they come across as genuine.
The constancy of the woman is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
37 The Tribe → 20 Observinglines 1 and 3
Other transformations of Observing
- 61Inner Integritylines 1 and 2
- 57Gentlenesslines 2 and 3
- 25Innocencelines 1 and 4
- 6Conflictlines 2 and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 3 and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 1 and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 2 and 5
- 52Abidinglines 3 and 5
- 35Advancelines 4 and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1 and 6
- 29Waterlines 2 and 6
- 39Held Backlines 3 and 6
- 45Meetinglines 4 and 6
- 2Passivitylines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.