Lü, nine in the second placeHexagram 10, line 2 · Lü (Treading) · changing to 25
The line
In plain wordsThe road you walk is level and even. A person who lives quietly and alone, not seeking to be known, and keeps to the right course: good fortune.
The Image commentary on this line
幽人貞吉，中不自亂也。
"For the one in seclusion, staying true brings good fortune": in the center, he does not throw himself into disorder.
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
吉Favorable. This text describes a good outcome. Act the way it says and the matter can succeed. The promise has a condition: keep to the right course.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- The road ahead is level; there is no need to fight or grab. Do your own work quietly without needing to be noticed, hold to the right course, and that is good.
- Love
- Love does not need to be dramatic, or put on show for anyone. If you are single, you can live steadily on your own; if you have a partner, live quietly and well together. Keep your heart settled and hold to the right course, and all is well.
- Money
- The road is level; there is no need to look for shortcuts. Quietly earn what you should earn, don't show off, and don't envy how much others make. Keep to what is properly yours, and you stand on steady ground.
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 Lü.
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 Lü (Treading); when this line changes it becomes Wuwang (Innocence): hexagram 10 changing to 25.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Wuwang (Innocence)
Honestly do what ought to be done. Don't count on luck, and don't make rash moves.