Shi, six in the fourth placeHexagram 7, line 4 · Shi (The Army) · changing to 40
The line
In plain wordsPull the army back and make camp. No blame. Knowing you cannot fight and withdrawing in one piece is far better than forcing it.
The Image commentary on this line
左次无咎，未失常也。
"Camps in retreat. No blame": the constant has not been lost.
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
- Once you see this battle can't be won right now, pull back first and keep your people and your strength intact. Retreating is not giving up; it is just the normal, sensible course. Take it up again when conditions are right.
- Love
- If for now no amount of talking brings you together, step back first, each cool down, and don't clash head on. Protect the bond between you first; stepping back like this is no mistake.
- Money
- When things are against you, pull your money back first and scale things down. Keeping your capital safe matters more than holding on by force; pull out in time, 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 Shi.
Line position
A yin line in a yin place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the first line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.
Fourth place: next to the ruler, a place of caution. Serve those above with care.
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 Xie (Release): hexagram 7 changing to 40.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Xie (Release)
The difficulty is lifting; you can breathe out.