What this change means
Four lines change and The Fall becomes 47 Overwhelmed, a lake with its water drained away. Its still first and third lines guide the reading. The first says that in hard times your inner strength is your support, above all else. The third warns that meeting obstacles with weakness and complaint won't move you forward and can sink you deeper. So the hardship isn't over. People may still not believe you, and the obstacles may still hem you in. What changes is your stance. Accept the situation without collapsing into it. Stop spending energy on complaint, which only drains you further. Turn to the inner light that lives in you and lean on it. That doesn't fix the outer situation right away, but it keeps you upright until better conditions come.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 47 Overwhelmed, which stays still
In these hard times, above all, keep your inner strength: it will be your support.
Buttocks caught on a tree stump. Goes into a dark valley; for three years, not seen.
- Line 3 of 47 Overwhelmed, which stays still
Facing obstacles with weakness and complaints won't move you forward; on the contrary, it will sink you deeper.
Hard pressed by stone, leaning on thorns. Enters the house and does not see the wife. Misfortune.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 23 The Fall
Resources and help aren't enough right now. All you can do is wait for better conditions.
The bed is stripped at the frame. Constancy is destroyed: misfortune.
- Line 4 of 23 The Fall
Adversity is advancing; even your body may be affected.
The bed is stripped down to the skin. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 23 The Fall
You'll receive unexpected help that puts you in a favorable position.
Fish strung in a row: favor like that of the palace ladies. Nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 6 of 23 The Fall
Little by little the adverse situations will give way, and gradually adversity will turn into opportunity.
A great fruit left uneaten. The noble person gains a carriage; the petty person's hut is stripped.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
47 Overwhelmed → 23 The Falllines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of The Fall
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 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.