Transformation · lines 3 and 5
Overflowing becomes A Subordinate Role
What this change means
With the fifth line leading and the third behind it, the Lake rises into Thunder and Heaven below settles into Lake. The fifth asks you to keep your integrity and stay on your path whoever you must deal with; that is how difficulties get resolved. The third describes alliances with people who aren't entirely reliable and asks for clarity and integrity through the gossip. In Overflowing, built-up tension needs a careful outlet. The resulting hexagram, 54 A Subordinate Role, adds a sobering note: for now you have to take second place, and personal initiatives tend to fail. Accepting that is part of the work. You can keep your principles intact without being the one who leads. Act cleanly within the role you have, don't force your own agenda, and wait for your position to improve before stepping forward.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 3 of 43 Overflowing
This is a time when circumstances lead you to ally with people who aren't fully trustworthy. If you act clearly and don't lose your integrity despite the gossip, you'll succeed.
Strength in the cheekbones: there is misfortune. The noble person, resolute, resolute, walks alone and is caught in the rain; soaked, there is resentment. No 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.
- The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
54 A Subordinate Role → 43 Overflowinglines 3 and 5
Other transformations of Overflowing
- 31Attractionlines 1 and 2
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 3
- 17Adaptinglines 2 and 3
- 48Right Actionlines 1 and 4
- 63After the Endlines 2 and 4
- 60Thriftlines 3 and 4
- 32What Lastslines 1 and 5
- 55Abundancelines 2 and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 4 and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1 and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 2 and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 3 and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 4 and 6
- 14Wealthlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.