Yu, six in the fifth placeHexagram 16, line 5 · Yu (Enthusiasm) · changing to 45
The line
In plain wordsLike having an illness that never gets cured, yet never quite kills you either. You are in a high position but sunk in comfort and pleasure, and those below you do not submit; your situation is very dangerous. Fortunately you still keep to the middle way.
The Image commentary on this line
六五貞疾，乘剛也。恆不死，中未亡也。
The six in the fifth place has "a persistent illness": it rides on the firm. "He goes on and does not die": the center 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
慎Proceed with care. The text gives no verdict, but the picture holds an obstacle and a warning. Slow down and watch the point it warns about.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- You hold the position but have sunk into comfort, and someone stronger below you does not accept your lead; the problem drags on like a chronic illness. Your situation is very dangerous, so stop slacking. Luckily you still have your sense of balance; keep it, and you can still get by.
- Love
- There is an old ailment in your love life: it does not get better, and it does not end either. You are sunk in comfort and do not want to move, while the other person resents it underneath; it is actually quite dangerous. Luckily you have not lost your sense of balance; stop leaving it untended.
- Money
- There is an old money problem that keeps dragging on; it does not sink you, but it does not heal either. Don't keep enjoying yourself just because you are getting by; that is dangerous. While you still have your balance, face it squarely.
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 Yu.
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 also yin, so there is no answer from it.
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 Yu (Enthusiasm); when this line changes it becomes Cui (Gathering): hexagram 16 changing to 45.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Cui (Gathering)
People and resources are coming together; this is the time to get things done.