Li, nine in the third placeHexagram 30, line 3 · Li (Clinging Fire) · changing to 21
The line
In plain wordsThe sun is slanting west. If you don't beat the clay pot and sing, content and at ease, you will only lament that you are old. Misfortune. One stretch of life is nearly over; only by making peace with that do you get through it.
The Image commentary on this line
日昃之離，何可久也。
"The light of the setting sun": how could it last?
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 best days of this job or this position are passing, which is simply the way of things. Don't cling to them and sigh every day. Make peace with it, calmly do what is in front of you, and that is how you get through.
- Love
- Some of the passion has already passed, and holding on to how things were at first will only make you sadder the more you think about it. Stop refusing to accept it, and settle into living the days in front of you.
- Money
- The stretch when money came in most strongly is over. Don't lament it, and don't strain to keep up your old lifestyle. Let it go and live contentedly; that is how you get through.
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 Li.
Line position
A yang line in a yang place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the top line, which is also yang, 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 backs, old yang), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Li (Clinging Fire); when this line changes it becomes Shihe (Biting Through): hexagram 30 changing to 21.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Shihe (Biting Through)
Something is stuck in the middle, and you have to bite through it.