Gu, six in the fifth placeHexagram 18, line 5 · Gu (Repairing Decay) · changing to 57
The line
In plain wordsCleaning up the father's mess, and earning a good name for it.
The Image commentary on this line
幹父用譽，承以德也。
Setting right the father's work and meeting "with praise": he carries it on through virtue.
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. The text gives no verdict, but the picture it paints is a hopeful one. Act the way it describes and there will be something to gain.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- You are putting right a situation left by those before you, and handling it fairly and properly will win you everyone's recognition. What carries it is character and generosity, not exposing your predecessors' failings. You can go ahead freely.
- Love
- You are willing to properly mend the old problems in the relationship, and the other person and those around you will notice. Mend them with care and kindness, without dragging up the past, and your effort will be valued.
- Money
- Clearing up and settling the old accounts at home or in business will earn you a good name. Do it rightly and honorably; a good reputation is itself capital for later.
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 Gu.
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 Gu (Repairing Decay); when this line changes it becomes Xun (The Gentle Wind): hexagram 18 changing to 57.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Xun (The Gentle Wind)
Enter gently, going with the current, and there will be a small gain.