Tongren, nine in the fourth placeHexagram 13, line 4 · Tongren (Fellowship) · changing to 37
The line
In plain wordsYou have already climbed astride the city wall, yet you do not press the attack. Good fortune. Knowing you are in the wrong and being able to turn back is exactly what mending your ways means.
The Image commentary on this line
乘其墉，義弗克也，其吉，則困而反則也。
"He mounts the wall": by what is right he cannot prevail. His good fortune is that, hard pressed, he turns back to the rule.
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
- You are already in a position to strike; one more step and you could overpower the other side and take it. But you are not in the right here. Stop now without attacking and return to the right path; that turns out to be good.
- Love
- You already have the upper hand; the words are on the tip of your tongue, and one more push would make the other person back down. But you are not entirely in the right. Hold back here and admit your part; that is actually a blessing.
- Money
- You are in a position to force the price down and make the other side give way, and the money is almost in your hands. But this money would not come honestly. Knowing it is wrong, pull back; turning back is good.
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 Tongren.
Line position
A yang line in a yin place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the first line, which is also yang, 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 backs, old yang), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Tongren (Fellowship); when this line changes it becomes Jiaren (The Family): hexagram 13 changing to 37.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Jiaren (The Family)
First put the affairs of the household (your own inner circle) in order.