Qian, nine in the third placeHexagram 1, line 3 · Qian (Heaven) · changing to 10
The line
In plain wordsBy day you don't slacken for a moment, and at night you still stay alert. Your position is neither high nor low, and there is risk in it; but as long as you keep taking this much care, you will not go wrong.
The Image commentary on this line
終日乾乾，反復道也。
"Hard at work all day long": going back and forth along the way.
The small Image commentary is the earliest explanation of the line texts. It usually explains a line from its position: where it stands, whether it holds the center, and which line answers it.
Verdict
慎Proceed with care. There is some risk, or some regret left over, but nothing serious. Notice it early, correct it early, and things turn for the better.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- You are caught in the middle, neither up nor down; the pressure is high and mistakes come easily. Do the work fully by day and go over it again at night. Keep taking this much care and nothing will go wrong.
- Love
- The relationship is at a point where things slip easily; a single remark or a small incident can stir up trouble. Pay more attention, keep an eye on how the other person feels, and don't let up. That is how you hold steady.
- Money
- There is risk here, and you cannot relax. Check your accounts often and think every decision through one more time. Don't sign or spend on impulse because you are busy. Stay careful all the way and you will not go wrong.
This is how to read it when this is the only changing line. With several changing lines, first see which text governs; for the hexagram as a whole, see Qian.
Line position
A yang line in a yang place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the top line, which is also yang, so there is no answer from it.
Third place: the top of the lower trigram, a place of risk. A moment of transition. Be on guard.
When you get this line
If this is the only changing line in your cast (three backs, old yang), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Qian (Heaven); when this line changes it becomes Lü (Treading): hexagram 1 changing to 10.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Lü (Treading)
There is risk in this, but if you walk carefully and by the rules, you can get through safely.