Transformation · lines 1, 2, and 5
Overflowing becomes Success in Small Matters
What this change means
The first, second and fifth lines move, Heaven below becomes Mountain and the Lake above becomes Thunder, and the reading weighs the two judgments evenly. Overflowing describes a moment of excessive buildup, asking you to bring what's happening into the open with careful words and to ease the tension through generosity. The resulting hexagram, 62 Success in Small Matters, says this isn't a time for great deeds but for modest achievements, and that reaching beyond your present means tends to waste effort. Together they temper the urge to settle everything with one bold stroke. Release the pressure in small, measured ways: a careful conversation, a generous gesture, a modest correction. Don't stretch your resources trying to prove a point. Living in step with the moment means accepting that small, well-placed actions are what work right now.
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 43 Overflowing
It's a time of excessive buildup: some situations are about to get out of control and overwhelm you, both personally and in your relationships. You need to bring what's happening into the open, but without speaking about it directly; watch your words so you don't provoke reactions. It's a time to act generously to ease the tension that's there.
It is proclaimed in the king's court. A sincere cry: there is danger. Word comes from one's own city. It is not favorable to take up arms. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- The judgment of 62 Success in Small Matters
This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great good fortune.
- Line 1 of 43 Overflowing
It's time to act slowly but firmly; acting in a hurry will make circumstances stop you.
Strength in the front toes. Going without prevailing is a fault.
- Line 2 of 43 Overflowing
Act decisively, but pay attention to the signs so you can take precautions when needed.
A cry of alarm. At nightfall there are weapons: do not worry.
- Line 5 of 43 Overflowing
If you keep your integrity and don't stray from your path, whoever you have to deal with, you'll resolve the difficulties that come up.
Purslane, pulled up with resolve. Walking the middle way: no fault.
The trigrams
The way back
62 Success in Small Matters → 43 Overflowinglines 1, 2, and 5
Other transformations of Overflowing
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, and 4
- 29Waterlines 1, 3, and 4
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 3, and 4
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 5
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 1, 4, and 5
- 36Darknesslines 2, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 3, 4, and 5
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 3, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 3, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 4, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 2, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 3, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 3, 5, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.