Song, nine in the second placeHexagram 6, line 2 · Song (Conflict) · changing to 12
The line
In plain wordsYou cannot win this case — the other side is stronger than you. Pull back, keep out of the way, stay in your own small place and live frugally, and no disaster will come.
The Image commentary on this line
不克訟，歸逋竄也。自下訟上，患至掇也。
"Unable to win the dispute, he goes home and slips away". To contend from below against one above: the trouble comes as if picked up with one's own hand.
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
平Neutral. Neither good nor bad. Do your part, correct mistakes, and nothing will go wrong.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- You are up against someone stronger and higher placed than you, and this is a fight you cannot win. Pull back, keep a low profile, and look after your own patch; then you will not bring trouble on yourself.
- Love
- You cannot come out on top in this argument, and arguing on will only stir up bigger trouble. Step back first, return to your own life, stay quiet for a while, and all will be well.
- Money
- Fighting a stronger party over money won't get you anything and will only invite trouble. Back out first, cut your spending, keep what you have, and live more simply; that way you stay safe.
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 Song.
Line position
A yang line in a yin place: it is not in its proper place; it holds the center of its trigram. Its partner is the fifth line, which is also yang, so there is no answer from it.
Second place: the center of the lower trigram, a place of praise. Stay centered and yielding.
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 Song (Conflict); when this line changes it becomes Pi (Standstill): hexagram 6 changing to 12.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Pi (Standstill)
This is a time when everything is blocked and shut off. It is not a good time to get things done.