Meng, six in the third placeHexagram 4, line 3 · Meng (Youthful Ignorance) · changing to 18
The line
In plain wordsDo not marry a woman like this: she sees a man with money and cannot keep hold of herself. Joining up with someone who forgets what is right at the sight of gain brings no good at all.
The Image commentary on this line
勿用取女，行不順也。
"Do not take this woman": her conduct does not follow the right 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
止Hold back. This text describes a bad outcome. Carry on as you are and you will lose by it. Stop, step aside or change your approach. Do not force it.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Someone who goes with whoever offers more and switches sides at the sight of gain is not someone to work or ally with. Being tied to them brings no good at all; draw a clear line early.
- Love
- If all the other person values is money and status, and they lose their head at the sight of someone richer, don't get together with someone like that. If you are already together, don't put any more of yourself into it.
- Money
- With someone whose eyes light up at money, don't go into partnership, don't lend to them, and don't let them handle your money. The same goes for you: don't lose your sense of proportion at the sight of gain.
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 Meng.
Line position
A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the top line, which is its opposite, so the two answer each other.
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 inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Meng (Youthful Ignorance); when this line changes it becomes Gu (Repairing Decay): hexagram 4 changing to 18.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Gu (Repairing Decay)
Old problems that have piled up have reached the point where they must be dealt with.