Sui, six in the third placeHexagram 17, line 3 · Sui (Following) · changing to 49
The line
In plain wordsYou hold on to the big one and lose the small one. Following someone with real power, you get whatever you ask for; but this is not where you rightfully belong, and it smacks of flattery and social climbing, so you must settle down and keep to the right course.
The Image commentary on this line
係丈夫，志舍下也。
"Tied to the grown man": the purpose is to let go of the one below.
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 have followed someone of weight and real strength and let go of your small circle nearby, and what you ask for can be had. Just don't let it turn into flattery and fawning. Keep to your proper place, and stand on doing the work well.
- Love
- You have given up small satisfactions close at hand and chosen the longer-lasting, more worthwhile bond. The direction is right; just don't chase what the other person can offer, or keep trying to please them. Keep your sense of proportion and go on steadily.
- Money
- Work alongside people who are strong and reliable, drop the small-time dabbling, and what you are after can be had. But don't rely on connections and back doors. Keep to proper methods, and don't start jumping around the moment things go well.
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 Sui.
Line position
A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the top line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.
Third place: the top of the lower trigram, a place of risk. A moment of transition. Be on guard.
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 Sui (Following); when this line changes it becomes Ge (Revolution): hexagram 17 changing to 49.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Ge (Revolution)
The time has come when things must change, but wait until the moment is ripe.