Your current situation can be depicted as "Progress" transforming into "Oppression (Exhaustion)".
In front of you lies "Fire" which transforms into "Lake". That means that brightness and warmth are being transformed into joy, pleasure, and attraction. Behind you lies "Earth" which transforms into "Water". That means that docility and receptivity are being transformed into danger and the unknown.
The Situation
35. Chin - Progress Above (in front): Li - The Clinging (Fire) Below (behind): K'un - The Receptive (Earth)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The hexagram represents the sun rising over the earth. It is therefore the symbol of rapid, easy progress, which at the same time means ever widening expansion and clarity.
The Judgement for the Current Situation
Progress. The powerful prince Is honored with horses in large numbers. In a single day he is granted audience three times.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
As an example of progress, this pictures a time when a powerful feudal lord rallies the other lords around the sovereign and pledges fealty and peace. The sovereign rewards him richly and invites him to a closer intimacy. A twofold idea is set forth here. The actual effect of the progress emanates from a man who is in a dependent position and whom the others regard as their equal and are therefore willing to follow. This leader has enough clarity of vision not to abuse his great influence but to use it rather for the benefit of his ruler. His ruler in turn is free of all jealousy, showers presents on the great man, and invites him continually to his court. An enlightened ruler and an obedient servant–this is the condition on which great progress depends.
The Image for the Current Situation
The sun rises over the earth: The image of Progress. Thus the superior man himself Brightens his bright virtue
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The light of the sun rises over the earth is by nature clear. The higher the sun rises, the more it emerges from the dark mists, spreading the pristine purity of its rays over an ever widening area. The real nature of man is likewise originally good, but it becomes clouded by contact with earthly things and therefore needs purification before it can shine forth in its native clarity.
Interpretation of the Changing Line(s)
Line 2: Progressing, but in sorrow. Perseverance brings good fortune. Then one obtains happiness from one's ancestress.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Progress is halted; an individual is kept from getting in touch with the man in authority with whom he has a connection. When this happens, he must remain persevering, although he is grieved; then with a maternal gentleness the man in question will bestow great happiness upon him. This happiness comes to him–and is well deserved–because in this case mutual attraction does not rest on selfish or partisan motives but on firm and correct principles.
Line 5: Remorse disappears. Take not gain and loss to heart. Undertakings bring good fortune. Everything serves to further.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The situation described here is that of one who, finding himself in an influential position in a time of progress, remains gentle and reserved. He might reproach himself for lack of energy in making the most of the propitiousness of the time and obtaining all possible advantage. However, this regret passes away. He must not take either loss or gain to heart; they are minor considerations. What matters much more is the fact that in this way he has assured himself of opportunities for successful and beneficent influence.
Line 6: Making progress with the horns is permissible Only for the purpose of punishing one's own city. To be conscious of danger brings good fortune. No blame. Perseverance brings humiliation.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Making progress with lowered horns–i. e. , acting on the offensive–is permissible, in times like those referred to here, only in dealing with the mistakes of one's own people. Even then we must bear in mind that proceeding on the offensive may always be dangerous. In this way we avoid the mistakes that otherwise threaten, and succeed in what we set out to do. On the other hand, perseverance in such overenergetic behavior, especially toward persons with whom there is no close connection, will lead to humiliation.
The Future
47. K'un - Oppression (Exhaustion) Above (in front): Tui - The Joyous (Lake) Below (behind): K'an - The Abysmal (Water)
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
The lake is above, water below; the lake is empty, dried up. Exhaustion is expressed in yet another way: at the top, a dark line is holding down two light lines; below, a light line is hemmed in between two dark ones. The upper trigram belongs to the principle of darkness, the lower to the principle of light. Thus everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior men.
The Judgement for the Future
Oppression. Success. Perseverance. The great man brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, It is not believed.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes; it is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. But if adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great man brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no effect. Therefore in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and sparing of words.
The Image for the Future
There is no water in the lake: The image of Exhaustion. Thus the superior man stakes his life On following his will.
Comment by Richard Wilhelm:
When the water has flowed out below, the lake must dry up and become exhausted. That is fate. This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In such times there is nothing a man can do but acquiesce in his fate and remain true to himself. This concerns the deepest stratum of his being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.
35. Chin - Progress
47. K'un - Oppression (Exhaustion)