Transformation · lines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Overwhelmed becomes Small Things
What this change means
Four lines change, and the figure becomes wind drifting across the sky, clouds gathering without rain yet. Two lines of the new figure hold firm, the second and the fifth, and they set the tone. The second says that circumstances may urge you forward, but the wiser move now is to turn back and get ready for a better moment. The fifth says that allying with others and staying loyal in that alliance will bring success. So the pressure of 47 Overwhelmed opens onto 9 Small Things, a situation that promises success but isn't ripe yet, with obstacles still to resolve. Take small actions, not large ones. Step back, prepare, and build your alliances with care. Loyalty to the people who stand with you matters more than any bold move right now. Refining your character in the meantime, as the image asks, readies you for the larger moment.
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 9 Small Things, which stays still
Even though circumstances push you to advance, for now it's time to go back and prepare to act at a better moment.
Led back. Good fortune.
- Line 5 of 9 Small Things, which stays still
Allying with others and being loyal in that alliance will bring success.
There is sincere trust, bound together as by a cord. Growing rich alongside the neighbor.
- 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.
- 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.
- Line 3 of 47 Overwhelmed
Facing obstacles with weakness and complaints won't move you forward; on the contrary, it will sink you deeper.
Hard pressed by stone, leaning on thorns. Enters the house and does not see the wife. Misfortune.
- Line 4 of 47 Overwhelmed
Helping others in times of hardship matters, but that help has to be quick to do its job.
Comes slowly, slowly, hard pressed in a metal carriage. Distress, but there is an end.
- Line 6 of 47 Overwhelmed
The pressure is nearing its end, and the obstacles will be easy to overcome. If your inner strength is with you as well, success will come much more easily.
Hard pressed among creeping vines, on what totters. It is said: moving brings regret. If there is regret, setting out brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 9 Small Things
You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.
Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.
The trigrams
The way back
9 Small Things → 47 Overwhelmedlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Overwhelmed
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 23The Falllines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 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.