Li, nine in the fourth placeHexagram 30, line 4 · Li (Clinging Fire) · changing to 22
The line
In plain wordsIt comes so suddenly, like a fire flaring up; it burns out, dies, and is thrown away. Charging and forcing your way at the juncture between old and new ends just like this.
The Image commentary on this line
突如其來如，无所容也。
"How sudden its coming": there is nowhere that will take him in.
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. The text gives no verdict, but the picture is a bad one. Carry on as you are and you will lose by it. Stop, step aside, or change your approach.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Don't charge in and force people out of their places at a moment of handover or transition. Come on too strong and you burn for a while, then go out, and in the end no one will have room for you. Rein it in.
- Love
- Don't come on intensely right from the start, and don't press harder and harder while the relationship is changing. A fire that flares too fast dies just as fast, and in the end you will only be pushed away. Pull back now.
- Money
- Don't rush headlong into an opportunity the moment you spot it. Money that comes too fast and methods pushed too hard burn for a while and then are gone. Pull back; don't wait until it has all burned away.
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 yin place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the first line, which is also yang, so there is no answer from it.
Fourth place: next to the ruler, a place of caution. Serve those above with care.
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 Bi (Adornment): hexagram 30 changing to 22.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Bi (Adornment)
A bit of packaging helps, but don't count on packaging to get things done.