What this change means
Two lines move at the base, and the second one leads: the trouble you feel is inside, not in your circumstances, and seeing that clearly is the first step. Ask for help instead of setting out on your own. The first line backs this up from below. While things press in, hold on to what keeps you upright inside, even through a spell of feeling stuck and hidden from view, as if sunk in a dark valley. Below, Water becomes Thunder, and stillness under pressure turns into movement within the lake. The resulting hexagram, 17 Adapting, asks you to see what place life is giving you now, whether that's leading or following, and to act genuinely from there. That sincerity tends to bring more support and more trust in what you do. So the movement goes from being hemmed in to finding your role: diagnose honestly, keep your center, and then let yourself fit what the moment asks.
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 47 Overwhelmed
The troubles right now are on the inside; on the outside, everything is fine. You need to recognize where the problem lies to solve it, and it's wise to seek help.
Hard pressed with wine and food. The red sash arrives. It is favorable to make sacrifices. Setting out brings misfortune. No fault.
- Line 1 of 47 Overwhelmed
In these hard times, above all, keep your inner strength: it will be your support.
Buttocks caught on a tree stump. Goes into a dark valley; for three years, not seen.
- 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 judgment of 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
17 Adapting → 47 Overwhelmedlines 1 and 2
Other transformations of Overwhelmed
- 43Overflowinglines 1 and 3
- 31Attractionlines 2 and 3
- 60Thriftlines 1 and 4
- 8Unionlines 2 and 4
- 48Right Actionlines 3 and 4
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1 and 5
- 16Passionlines 2 and 5
- 32What Lastslines 3 and 5
- 7The Armylines 4 and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1 and 6
- 12Declinelines 2 and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3 and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 4 and 6
- 64Transitionlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.