What this change means
A lake with no water in it: the second, fourth and top lines move, and the wind over the earth becomes a dry basin. Both judgments carry the same weight. The starting hexagram asks for patient attention, with your own example in mind and an eye on the people whose conduct you'd like to learn from.
The resulting hexagram, 47 Overwhelmed, describes a very hard situation: the wrong people around you, no one believing your words, obstacles closing in. The only course is acceptance and patience until conditions improve, turning to the inner light you carry. Together, they suggest that observation now turns inward. When outer action is blocked and speaking doesn't help, watching quietly and relying on your own strength is what holds you up. Watch for exhausting yourself trying to convince others; patience and inner steadiness are your real resources until things change.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 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.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
47 Overwhelmed → 20 Observinglines 2, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Observing
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, and 3
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 3, and 4
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 3, and 4
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 3, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 3, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 2, 4, and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 3, 4, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 3, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 2, 5, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 3, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.