Xian, nine in the fourth placeHexagram 31, line 4 · Xian (Mutual Influence) · changing to 39
The line
In plain wordsStay true and there is good fortune, and regret vanishes. If your mind is unsettled and you scheme back and forth, then only the few who think as you do will respond.
The Image commentary on this line
貞吉悔亡，未感害也。憧憧往來，未光大也。
"Staying true brings good fortune; regret vanishes": he has not yet been harmed by the influence. "Restlessly going back and forth": it is not yet bright and great.
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. This text describes a good outcome. Act the way it says and the matter can succeed. The promise has a condition: keep to the right course.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Keep your intentions straight and work openly, and things go well; your earlier regrets will fade as well. But if you keep scheming and wavering back and forth, only the few who already think like you will back you.
- Love
- Treat people with a true heart and no hidden agenda, and it goes well; the regrets in your heart will ease too. But if you keep fretting over gain and loss and endlessly guessing what the other person thinks, you will move very few.
- Money
- Go about it the right way with a settled mind, and things go well, with nothing left to regret. Don't spend all day calculating back and forth and changing course; then only a few will be willing to work with you.
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 Xian.
Line position
A yang line in a yin place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the first line, which is its opposite, so the two answer each other.
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 Xian (Mutual Influence); when this line changes it becomes Jian (Obstruction): hexagram 31 changing to 39.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Jian (Obstruction)
The road ahead is very hard. Do not force your way forward yet.