Transformation · lines 3 and 5
A Subordinate Role becomes Overflowing
What this change means
The fifth and third lines move, the fifth leading, and Heaven appears beneath the Lake: pressure building toward a breakthrough. The fifth line says that calm acceptance of a modest place brings success, and your talent shows anyway. The third says that, for now, belonging in second place is better than standing alone. The resulting hexagram, 43 Overflowing, warns that tensions are piling up and may spill over in your relationships or circumstances. Bring what's happening into the open, but carefully, with words that don't provoke, and with generosity that eases the strain. Your modest position helps here: you can speak without seeming to grab power. Don't storm out, and don't stay silent while things boil. Calm, kind honesty from within the group can release the pressure safely.
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 54 A Subordinate Role
Calmly accepting a subordinate position right now will bring you success. Your talent will show in spite of a situation that seems unfavorable.
Emperor Yi gives his younger sister in marriage. The lady's sleeves were not as fine as the second wife's. The moon is nearly full. Good fortune.
- Line 3 of 54 A Subordinate Role
Given the present circumstances, it's better to stay in a subordinate position than to be alone.
The young woman marries as a servant; she comes back and marries as a second wife.
- The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
- The judgment of 43 Overflowing
It's a time of excessive buildup: some situations are about to get out of control and overwhelm you, both personally and in your relationships. You need to bring what's happening into the open, but without speaking about it directly; watch your words so you don't provoke reactions. It's a time to act generously to ease the tension that's there.
It is proclaimed in the king's court. A sincere cry: there is danger. Word comes from one's own city. It is not favorable to take up arms. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
43 Overflowing → 54 A Subordinate Rolelines 3 and 5
Other transformations of A Subordinate Role
- 16Passionlines 1 and 2
- 32What Lastslines 1 and 3
- 55Abundancelines 2 and 3
- 7The Armylines 1 and 4
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 4
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 2 and 5
- 60Thriftlines 4 and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 6
- 21Bitinglines 2 and 6
- 14Wealthlines 3 and 6
- 41Decreaselines 4 and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.