What this change means
Light sinks under the earth as the second, fourth and fifth lines move, with Heaven below becoming Fire and the Lake above becoming Earth. Three lines in motion set the two judgments in balance. Overflowing speaks of tension that needs to be released carefully, through tactful words and generosity. The resulting hexagram, 36 Darkness, describes a hard time spent alongside the wrong people, in which you stay safe by protecting yourself, keeping your integrity, and not openly showing your light or your talents. Hard times pass, however long they seem. Together they ask for restraint. This isn't the moment to confront things head-on or to announce what you see. Ease what tension you can quietly, keep your principles intact, and keep a low profile until conditions improve. Discretion now isn't weakness; it's how you get through.
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 36 Darkness
It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.
Constancy in hardship is favorable.
- 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 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.
The trigrams
The way back
36 Darkness → 43 Overflowinglines 2, 4, 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
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, and 5
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 1, 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.