Transformation · lines 3, 5, and 6
Overwhelmed becomes The Vessel of Nourishment
What this change means
Fire over wood replaces the dry lake as the third, fifth and top lines move, and the figure becomes a cauldron. Both judgments weigh equally. 47 Overwhelmed shows a pressure you can't argue your way out of, where patience and inner light are all you have. The resulting hexagram, 50 The Vessel of Nourishment, describes a change that comes about naturally, little by little, the way food cooks. Keep the flame of your enthusiasm lit, and know your resources as well as a cook knows what's in the pantry. Taken together, this movement turns pressure into transformation. What you endured becomes material for something nourishing. There's no need for upheaval. Tend the fire steadily, choose well what goes in, and let time do its part. Setting your own place right, as the image suggests, makes the change hold.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great good fortune. Success.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
50 The Vessel of Nourishment → 47 Overwhelmedlines 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Overwhelmed
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, and 3
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 4
- 5Inactionlines 1, 3, and 4
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, and 4
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 4, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 2, 4, and 5
- 46Going Uplines 3, 4, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 4, and 6
- 20Observinglines 2, 4, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 3, 4, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 2, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.