What this change means
Four lines move, and the lake now lies at the foot of a mountain. Its unchanging second and third lines speak for the reading. The second says that without giving up anything you have, it's a good moment to help others. The third says it's a good time to team up with one other person, just one, and that if you don't know whom, the ally will come on their own. So 47 Overwhelmed opens onto 41 Decrease, a time for moderation, saving resources and avoiding excess while you prepare for growth ahead. After the pressure, there's no need for big moves. Keep things lean, curb anger and craving, and look outward in a small, focused way. Help where you can without draining yourself, and stay open to the one partnership that's meant to come. That modest alliance can carry more than a crowd.
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 41 Decrease, which stays still
Without having to give up any of what you have, it's a good moment to help others.
Constancy is favorable. Setting out brings misfortune. Without taking from it, it is added to.
- Line 3 of 41 Decrease, which stays still
A good moment to team up with another person, just one. If you don't know whom to team up with, the ally will come on their own.
When three walk together, one is lost; when one walks alone, they find a companion.
- 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 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 5 of 47 Overwhelmed
Little by little things will improve, thanks to your habit of helping others. Spiritual resources will be a great help now.
Nose cut off, feet cut off. Hard pressed by the red sash. Little by little relief comes. It is favorable to make sacrifices.
- 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 41 Decrease
It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.
There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.
The trigrams
The way back
41 Decrease → 47 Overwhelmedlines 1, 4, 5, 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
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 3, 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
- 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.