Hexagram 29, Line 3

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line depicts a state of profound entrapment and danger. The image of "coming and going, abyss on abyss" signifies that every move, whether forward or backward, leads into another difficulty. There is no easy escape route. The situation is not a single problem but a landscape of interconnected challenges. The phrase "danger, and one rests in it" points to a perilous psychological state. One has become so accustomed to the crisis, so worn down by the struggle, that they have stopped actively seeking a way out. They are resting in the midst of peril, which is a false and dangerous comfort. This complacency leads to the final state: "One falls into the pit's hollow." By ceasing to struggle constructively, one sinks even deeper into the abyss, becoming completely stuck. The final counsel, "Do not act," is a stark warning. From this position of being hopelessly entangled and psychologically resigned, any action taken will be misguided and only worsen the situation. It is a time for complete stillness, as thrashing about will only cause you to sink faster.

Guidance for Action

You are in a situation where you are completely stuck. Every effort to extricate yourself seems to lead to more trouble. The greatest danger now is your own exhaustion and resignation, which can lead you to accept your difficult circumstances as permanent. This is a critical error. The advice "Do not act" should be taken seriously. This is not a time for bold initiatives, confrontations, or major decisions. Any attempt to force a solution will backfire. Instead, your task is to pause completely. Conserve your energy. Stop struggling against the currents that are too strong for you right now. Use this time for quiet observation and reflection, but without the pressure of finding an immediate answer. You must wait for the situation to change, for a new path to reveal itself, or for help to arrive from an external source. Your only "action" is to prevent things from getting worse by doing nothing. Patience and stillness are your only allies.

For Love & Relationships

This line points to a relationship that is in a deep and seemingly inescapable rut. You and your partner may be caught in a cycle of arguments, misunderstandings, or unresolved issues ("coming and going, abyss on abyss"). Every attempt to fix things or even to leave only leads back to the same painful dynamic. You have become so used to the dysfunction that you may have given up, "resting" in the unhappiness because it has become familiar. This resignation is causing the relationship to sink even deeper into trouble. The advice is to stop. Stop trying to have "the big talk," stop issuing ultimatums, and stop making grand gestures to fix things. These actions will only lead to more pain. It may be necessary to create space and distance, not as a threat, but as a way to stop the downward spiral. This is a time for quiet introspection, not for action within the relationship.

For Career & Business

In a professional context, this line indicates that you are trapped in a dead-end position, a failing project, or a toxic work environment. Your attempts to improve your situation—whether by working harder, speaking up, or maneuvering for a new role—have all been fruitless and may have even made things worse. You are in danger of becoming complacent, accepting the bad situation as "just the way it is." This attitude will cause your career to stagnate further and sink into irrelevance or deeper trouble. The definitive advice is "Do not act." Do not launch a new initiative, do not confront your boss, and do not make a desperate leap to another job without careful consideration. Lie low. Do what is required of you, but conserve your mental and emotional energy. Use this period of forced stillness to observe the power dynamics, learn what you can, and quietly plan a long-term exit strategy. Wait for a genuine opportunity to arise from a shift in the company or the market.

For Financial Matters

This line warns of being caught in a severe financial trap, such as a cycle of debt or a series of investments that continuously lose money. Trying to solve the problem by taking on more debt to cover old debts, or by making risky trades to recoup losses, is the "coming and going" that only leads deeper into the abyss. You may have become numb to the danger, managing the crisis on a day-to-day basis without addressing the root cause. This is "resting in danger" and it will lead to a complete financial collapse. The guidance is unequivocal: stop all activity. Do not take out new loans. Do not make any new investments. Do not chase your losses. Freeze your spending on all but the absolute essentials. The goal is to stop the bleeding. Any aggressive financial action taken from this position will be a mistake. You must hold still, preserve what capital you have left, and wait until the situation stabilizes enough for you to make a clear-headed plan.