Transformation · lines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Overflowing becomes Loss, Then Gain
What this change means
Wind below and Mountain above replace the old trigrams as the first, fourth, fifth and top lines move. This yields 18 Loss, Then Gain, and its second and third lines, which remain fixed, hold the counsel. The second says losses have come from weakness and a lack of perseverance; reflecting and taking up the path again with resolve can bring success. Its third says that past rigidity has caused loss, but clinging to that rigidity to fix it won't help either. After Overflowing's buildup, this asks for honest review. What went wrong, and why? Correct it with steady resolve, but without hardening. Firmness and flexibility both have a place. Give the correction time to bear fruit once you've acted, rather than judging it too soon.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 18 Loss, Then Gain, which stays still
Your losses come from weakness, from not persevering. Reflecting and taking up the path again with resolve will bring success.
Setting right what the mother spoiled. Constancy will not do.
- Line 3 of 18 Loss, Then Gain, which stays still
Acting too rigidly in the past has led you to loss, but holding on to that rigidity to fix it won't help either.
Setting right what the father spoiled. A little regret; no great fault.
- 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.
- 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 4 of 43 Overflowing
You want to push ahead at all costs at a time when it isn't wise, and you refuse to listen to advice. That will lead you into trouble.
Buttocks without skin; the walk falters. Leading the ram by a rope: regret vanishes. Hears words and does not believe them.
- 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.
- Line 6 of 43 Overflowing
In a moment of success and achievement you can't relax, because there are people undermining what you've achieved, and they'll lead you to loss.
No cry. In the end, misfortune.
- The judgment of 18 Loss, Then Gain
You've made mistakes that have brought you into decline; still, admitting it and making the corrections needed will lead you back to success. Take time to reflect on what caused the loss and, once you've acted, give success time to arrive.
Great success. It is favorable to cross the great river. Three days before the first day, three days after the first day.
The trigrams
The way back
18 Loss, Then Gain → 43 Overflowinglines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Overflowing
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 7The Armylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 12Declinelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 42Increaselines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 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.