Shihe, nine at the topHexagram 21, line 6 · Shihe (Biting Through) · changing to 51
The line
In plain wordsA heavy wooden collar on the shoulders, covering even the ears. Misfortune. The wrongdoing has gone all the way, and no warning gets through.
The Image commentary on this line
何校滅耳，聰不明也。
"Shouldering a wooden collar that covers the ears": his hearing is not clear.
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
止Hold back. This text describes a bad outcome. Carry on as you are and you will lose by it. Stop, step aside or change your approach. Do not force it.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- The mistakes have piled up as far as they can go, yet you still won't listen to advice and insist on your own way. Stop right now and hear why others object. Push on any longer and you will only take a hard fall.
- Love
- The problem has grown so big it weighs on both of you, and you still won't hear what the other person says. Stop being stubborn; the longer this drags on, the deeper the hurt. When it is time to let go, let go.
- Money
- It has already gone as wrong as it can. Don't pour in more money, and don't ignore advice to try to win it back. Stop the losses now and listen to the warnings of those around you. Hold on any longer and you will only sink deeper.
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 Shihe.
Line position
A yang line in a yin place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the third line, which is its opposite, so the two answer each other.
Top place: the end of the matter. What reaches its limit turns. Know when to stop.
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 Shihe (Biting Through); when this line changes it becomes Zhen (Thunder): hexagram 21 changing to 51.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Zhen (Thunder)
A sudden shock will give you a fright, but it will not really hurt you.