Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Nourishment becomes Overwhelmed
What this change means
The lake above loses its water as five lines move and only the third stays still: the jaws find the table bare. That still line of the resulting hexagram, 47 Overwhelmed, carries the reading: facing obstacles with weakness and complaints won't move you forward; it tends to sink you deeper. The resulting hexagram describes hard pressure, with the wrong people around you and words that aren't believed. Its remedy is to accept the moment and draw on the inner light that lives in you. Nourishment points to where that light is fed. When outer supplies run short, inner ones matter most: rest, reflection, whatever practices steady you. Complaining spends energy you can't spare. So stop arguing with the situation. Feed your inner strength quietly, wait for better conditions, and let your conduct speak where your words can't.
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 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 27 Nourishment
Right now you need to take care of your physical and spiritual nourishment, so you have the resources you need in each area, and at the same time help others grow through what you do. Success lies in giving and receiving: take in what is good for you and share it with those around you.
Constancy brings good fortune. Watching the jaws; seeking for oneself what fills the mouth.
- Line 1 of 27 Nourishment
Being ungrateful for what you have and busying yourself envying what others have will hold back your achievements.
You let go of your sacred tortoise and watch my jaw working. Misfortune.
- Line 2 of 27 Nourishment
Expecting others to sort out your affairs and acting selfishly isn't favorable.
Jaws turned upside down: against the norm. Seeking sustenance from the hill. Setting out brings misfortune.
- Line 4 of 27 Nourishment
Getting the right nourishment for yourself and seeing how you can help others nourish themselves well brings you success and help.
Jaws upside down: good fortune. The tiger stares, intent and watchful; its desire chases on and on. No fault.
- Line 5 of 27 Nourishment
Being aware of your limits in helping others and asking advice on how to do it will bring you moderate achievements, not extraordinary ones, but it's something.
Against the norm. Abiding in constancy brings good fortune. The great river cannot be crossed.
- Line 6 of 27 Nourishment
You gain the resources to take care of your own affairs, and you help others get theirs. This brings a great responsibility, but also great success.
From here comes sustenance. Danger; good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- 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 → 27 Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Nourishment
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.