What this change means
Here it's the fifth line that moves, and the wind above settles into a mountain resting on the earth. This line asks you to observe responsibly: look at how similar situations turned out before, and apply those lessons now. It's the view of someone who takes their own life seriously and learns from history, not from wishful thinking.
The resulting hexagram, 23 The Fall, describes a time of obstacles, when even being right doesn't get you believed, and when lesser people misuse power. The advice is not to push ahead but to recognize the moment and be generous toward those beneath you, which helps you hold on while things change. The fifth line gives you the tool for that. Past experience can show you what tends to happen in times like these, and what to correct. Watch for repeating an old mistake under pressure; learning from it now can spare you the worst.
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.
- 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 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
23 The Fall → 20 Observingline 5
Other transformations of Observing
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.