I Ching Reading: Qian (Humility) changing to Jian (Obstruction)

謙Qian · Humility

PrimaryQian

ResultingJian

Qian: Six in the fifth place

Without wealth, yet carrying the neighbors along. It is favorable to attack and invade. Nothing that is not favorable.

不富以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。

吉Favorable

Reading

Yes, go ahead.Lower yourself, and things actually go more smoothly.

Governing text · Qian: Six in the fifth place

Text不富以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。Without wealth, yet carrying the neighbors along. It is favorable to attack and invade. Nothing that is not favorable.

In plain wordsWithout relying on wealth you can carry along the people on either side of you, and everyone is willing to follow. If there are still some who will not submit, using armed force is also favorable; and in doing other things, nothing is unfavorable.

Now: The hexagram of humility. Not one of its six line texts is bad; it is the only such hexagram in the whole Zhouyi.
The key: Only one line is changing: Six in the fifth place. The answer is in that line. This text describes a good outcome. Act the way it says and the matter can succeed. The promise has a condition: keep to the right course.
Where it is heading: Things are moving toward Jian (Obstruction): The road ahead is very hard. Do not force your way forward yet.
What to do: Even when you have achievements, don't make a show of them; share what is plentiful with those who have little, and treat people fairly. Those who can stay humble to the end have a good ending.

Which text applies

One changing line: read that line of the primary hexagram.

Your six throws, bottom to top: 1: 8 yin · 2: 8 yin · 3: 7 yang · 4: 8 yin · 5: 6 yin (changing) · 6: 8 yin

The seven rules for changing lines →

Line position

Not in its proper place · central · not answered by the second line

Fifth place: the center of the upper trigram, the ruler's seat, a place of achievement. This is where things are decided.

Verdict words in the text

无不利 nothing that is not favorable: every direction is open
利 favorable: a course of action that helps, under the stated condition

Nuclear hexagram · Xie (Release)

The difficulty is lifting; you can breathe out.

The nuclear hexagram is formed from the four inner lines. It shows what is going on inside the situation.

Full texts

Qian (Humility): judgment and all six lines →

Jian (Obstruction): judgment and all six lines →

Begin

One who truly knows the Changes does not need to divine. The text is for reflection; what you do is up to you.