What this change means
Mountain upon mountain, stillness doubled, is where five moving lines lead. Only the first line of the resulting hexagram stays still, and its counsel is simple: better to stop too soon than to take ill-advised steps. That's how 47 Overwhelmed turns into 52 Abiding. The starting hexagram describes a time when obstacles hem you in and your only resource is your inner light. The resulting one asks you to stay centered and steady, calm and confident, waiting for outer conditions to show you when to act. Under pressure, the urge to do something, anything, can be strong. This change asks you to resist it. Stop before you make a move you'll regret. Keep your thoughts where they belong, in the present. Stillness here isn't giving up; it's the most harmonious response to what's happening, and it tends to bring success.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 52 Abiding, which stays still
Better to stop too soon than to take ill-advised steps.
Still the toes. No fault. Lasting constancy is favorable.
- 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 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 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 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 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
52 Abiding → 47 Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Overwhelmed
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.