Transformation · line 5
Overwhelmed becomes Clearing Obstacles
What this change means
The fifth line moves, and it's the line of slow relief. The classical image is harsh, with nose and feet cut off and pressure coming even from the red sash of authority, yet little by little release arrives, and offerings are favorable. In practical terms, things improve gradually thanks to your habit of helping others, and spiritual resources are a real support now. Above, the Lake turns into Thunder, and the image becomes a storm breaking open. The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, says the obstacles have been overcome one by one, and asks for balance: act quickly and decisively where you can, without overrating your strength, and rest or step back if you need to. The movement goes from slow easing to real release. Keep helping, keep your practice, and when the way opens, take it without overreaching. Forgiving what went wrong is part of the release too.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 47 Overwhelmedline 5
Other transformations of Overwhelmed
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.