Zhun, nine in the fifth placeHexagram 3, line 5 · Zhun (Difficult Beginnings) · changing to 24
The line
In plain wordsYou have good things to give, but you cannot get them out to people. You hold a position, but you are stuck in difficulty and your helpers are weak. In small matters, keeping to the right course can still bring good fortune; in big matters, even doing the right thing brings misfortune.
The Image commentary on this line
屯其膏，施未光也。
"His bounty is held up": what he gives out does not yet shine.
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. The text names both a good and a bad outcome: one way of acting leads to each. The result depends on which you choose.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- You have the position and the will to get things done, but you are blocked at every turn, your helpers are weak, and the benefits don't reach the people below. Keep doing the small things; push a big move now and you will fall, even if the direction is right.
- Love
- You want to be good to the other person, but it never quite gets through and your words don't land; things are stuck between you. Be thoughtful in small ways and go bit by bit. Don't force a big decision now; even the right one would only harden things.
- Money
- Even the money you have can't be put where it counts; everything is stuck. Keep to everyday spending and small business. If you want to use this moment to set up something big, stop, however good your reasons.
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 Zhun.
Line position
A yang line in a yang place: it is in its proper place; it holds the center of its trigram. Its partner is the second line, which is its opposite, so the two answer each other.
Fifth place: the center of the upper trigram, the ruler's seat, a place of achievement. This is where things are decided.
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 Zhun (Difficult Beginnings); when this line changes it becomes Fu (Return): hexagram 3 changing to 24.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Fu (Return)
The worst is over, and the turn has come.