Fu, six at the topHexagram 24, line 6 · Fu (Return) · changing to 27
The line
In plain wordsLost, and still not turning back. Misfortune, with disasters both from heaven and of human making. Lead an army this way and it ends in a great defeat that drags down the ruler; for ten years there is no recovering.
The Image commentary on this line
迷復之凶，反君道也。
The misfortune of "lost on the return": it goes against the way of a ruler.
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
- You know you have gone wrong yet won't turn back, and you keep going further. Stop forcing this, and above all don't pull a group of people into this gamble. Stop and admit the mistake, or you will drag down those working with you, and after a defeat like that it is very hard to recover.
- Love
- You are clearly lost and still refuse to turn back, making one mistake after another. Stop, and don't hold on just to save face. Stay stuck in this and even the people around you get dragged down. Admit it where you were wrong, and let go where it is time to let go.
- Money
- You have lost so much you can no longer see which way to go, and you still want to push on and win it all back. Stop at once. Don't borrow, and don't pull others in to stake their money with you. Stay lost in this and it will be a long time before you recover.
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 Fu.
Line position
A yin line in a yin place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the third line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.
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 inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Fu (Return); when this line changes it becomes Yi (Nourishment): hexagram 24 changing to 27.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Yi (Nourishment)
The key question: what are you using to nourish yourself, and to nourish others?