Shi, six in the third placeHexagram 7, line 3 · Shi (The Army) · changing to 46
The line
In plain wordsThe army may come back hauling corpses. Misfortune. Not enough ability but plenty of ambition, going off to do what is not yours to do: this is how it ends.
The Image commentary on this line
師或輿尸，大无功也。
"The army may cart back corpses": a great lack of achievement.
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
- Your ability falls short but your ambition runs high. Force your way into what isn't yours to do, and this battle ends in heavy defeat. Don't overreach; pull your hand back.
- Love
- You want to control this relationship, insisting on deciding for the other person and taking on what isn't yours to handle, but you don't have the strength for it. Going on like this will only hurt badly. Stop; what you can't hold up, let go.
- Money
- Don't chase money you don't understand, don't set up anything beyond your means, and don't touch money that isn't yours to manage. Forcing it like this will only lose you everything; stop while you can.
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 Shi.
Line position
A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the top line, which is also yin, 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 inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Shi (The Army); when this line changes it becomes Sheng (Rising): hexagram 7 changing to 46.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Sheng (Rising)
A steady rise; go forward with confidence.