Hexagram 47, Line 3

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line describes a situation of profound and self-compounding distress. The imagery is stark and layered. "Oppressed by stone" signifies being trapped by an immovable, external obstacle—a problem that feels overwhelming and unyielding. In this state of desperation, one makes a poor choice: "leans on thorns and thistles." This means seeking support from something or someone that is inherently painful, unreliable, and damaging. It is a misguided attempt to find stability that only leads to more injury. The final image, "One enters one's house and does not see one's wife," represents the ultimate alienation. The place that should be a sanctuary offers no comfort, and the person who should provide solace and understanding is absent or estranged. This points to a breakdown in one's most fundamental support system, a consequence of the poor judgments made under duress. The situation is not merely difficult; it is actively made worse by one's own actions. The verdict is unequivocal: "Misfortune." This path leads only to deeper isolation and failure.

Guidance for Action

You are in a severely disadvantageous position and, critically, your attempts to remedy it are backfiring. The guidance from this line is a stern warning: stop what you are doing. The support you are relying on is harmful, and the direction you are heading in will only increase your sense of isolation and loss. Do not push forward. Instead, you must retreat and engage in deep self-reflection. Identify the "stone" (the core, immovable problem) and the "thorns" (the painful, false supports you are clinging to out of desperation). Acknowledging that your current strategy is flawed is the first, essential step. Blaming external factors alone is a mistake; your own judgment is implicated. You must disengage from unreliable people, flawed plans, or harmful dependencies. The situation is dire, and only a complete change of course, born from a sober assessment of reality, can prevent further misfortune.

For Love & Relationships

This line points to a relationship in deep crisis. You feel trapped and oppressed ("oppressed by stone"), perhaps by the circumstances of the relationship or the personality of your partner. In your distress, you may be clinging to the relationship in a way that is causing you more pain ("leans on thorns"), or you might be seeking solace in unhealthy ways outside the relationship. The most poignant image, "entering your home and not seeing your wife/partner," signifies profound emotional alienation. You may be physically together but feel completely alone, unseen, and misunderstood. The connection and comfort that should define a home and partnership are gone. This is a sign of extreme danger for the relationship. Continuing on this path will lead to greater heartbreak. It is a time for brutal honesty about whether the foundation of the relationship is sound or if you are both just causing each other more pain.

For Career & Business

In a professional context, this line indicates a feeling of being completely stuck in a project or role ("oppressed by stone"). Your efforts are met with unyielding resistance, and you feel you have no room to maneuver. In this difficult position, you may be relying on a flawed strategy, a volatile boss, or untrustworthy colleagues for support ("leans on thorns"), and this reliance is only making your situation more precarious and painful. The result is a sense of alienation at work. You may come to your office ("enter your house") but feel no sense of belonging, purpose, or recognition from your team ("not see your wife"). Your contributions are unseen, and you feel isolated. This is a clear signal that your current approach is failing and will lead to professional misfortune—a failed project, a demotion, or even losing your job. You must stop pushing against the "stone" and re-evaluate your entire strategy and your alliances.

For Financial Matters

This line paints a grim financial picture. You are likely feeling crushed by debt or a major financial burden that seems immovable ("oppressed by stone"). Out of desperation to solve this, you are turning to dangerous solutions: high-interest loans, speculative get-rich-quick schemes, or unreliable financial advice ("leans on thorns"). These actions, intended as support, are actually worsening your situation and causing more financial pain. The consequence is a profound sense of insecurity; your financial "house" is not a place of safety. Despite all your efforts, you see no positive results, only a void where your security should be ("not see your wife"). The I Ching warns that this course of action is disastrous and will lead to significant financial loss. Stop the speculative or desperate measures immediately. It is time to face the hard facts, create a realistic and defensive financial plan, and cease relying on anything that promises an easy way out.