What this change means
Mountain upon mountain: the third and fifth lines move, and the whole figure comes to rest. The fifth line leads: observe responsibly, learn from how similar situations ended before, and apply the corrections now. The third adds the inward view: look at your own life together with the outer signs, and decide whether to advance or pull back.
The resulting hexagram, 52 Abiding, describes a time of stillness, staying centered and steady, waiting calm and confident for outer conditions to show when to act. There's no action here, only a harmonious stillness. So the decision the third line asks about may be, for now, to stay where you are. Use the pause to reflect, compare with past experience and let your view settle. Watch for moving just to feel productive; this movement suggests that the clearest seeing comes from a still mind, and the right moment will make itself known.
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 20 Observing
If you observe responsibly, you'll see how similar situations turned out in the past and can apply the corrections now.
Contemplating my own life. For the noble person, no fault.
- 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.
- 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 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
52 Abiding → 20 Observinglines 3 and 5
Other transformations of Observing
- 61Inner Integritylines 1 and 2
- 37The Tribelines 1 and 3
- 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
- 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.