Shi, six in the fifth placeHexagram 7, line 5 · Shi (The Army) · changing to 29
The line
In plain wordsWild animals have come into the field, and catching them is right; no blame — others have attacked your door and you fight back because you must. But put your trust wholly in the one capable person. If you let him lead the troops and then let incapable people interfere as well, there is misfortune even with right on your side.
The Image commentary on this line
長子帥師，以中行也。弟子輿尸，使不當也。
"The eldest son leads the army": he acts from the center. "The younger sons cart corpses": the appointment is not proper.
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 speaks of misfortune and also says it can be avoided. The danger lies in rushing and forcing. Stay steady, correct mistakes, and the bad outcome can be escaped.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Trouble has come to your door; deal with it as you must, since right is on your side. But hand it entirely to one capable person, and don't let people who don't know the job interfere. With too many people giving orders, you lose even when you are right.
- Love
- When a problem comes up, face it; there is no need to hide. But let the steadier of the two of you make the call, and don't let a crowd of others chime in. Once you lose your footing, you can ruin it even when you are right.
- Money
- If someone owes you or has taken advantage of you, it is right to pursue it on the merits. But put one reliable, knowledgeable person in charge, and don't let everyone at home have a hand in it. Too many hands, and you lose out even when you are in the right.
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; 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 inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Shi (The Army); when this line changes it becomes Kan (The Abyss): hexagram 7 changing to 29.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Kan (The Abyss)
One danger after another. This is a truly hard time.