Sun, nine in the second placeHexagram 41, line 2 · Sun (Decrease) · changing to 27

The line

The Image commentary on this line

九二利貞，中以為志也。

Nine in the second place, "it is favorable to stay true": the center is taken as its purpose.

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

慎Proceed with care. The text speaks of misfortune and also says it can be avoided. The danger lies in rushing and forcing. Stay steady, correct mistakes, and the bad outcome can be escaped.

• 利 favorable: a course of action that helps, under the stated condition
• 凶 misfortune: a bad outcome if you continue this way

How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →

Asking about work, love or money

Work

Don't drop your principles and push yourself forward to win favor with those above; that only makes things go wrong. Keep to your role and your sense of measure, and do your own work properly. That in itself is the greatest help you can give them.

Love

Don't give in at every turn, or give up even your bottom line, just to be liked by the other person. Pushing yourself forward only makes things worse; staying the way you really are is what truly does the relationship good.

Money

If someone wants you to pay to show loyalty or to build connections, you don't have to go along. Spending freely to please others only invites trouble; sticking to your principles and not spending carelessly, so you don't diminish yourself, actually does everyone more good.

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 Sun.

Line position

A yang line in a yin place: it is not in its proper place; it holds the center of its trigram. Its partner is the fifth line, which is its opposite, so the two answer each other.

Second place: the center of the lower trigram, a place of praise. Stay centered and yielding.

Proper place, center and correspondence explained →

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 Sun (Decrease); when this line changes it becomes Yi (Nourishment): hexagram 41 changing to 27.

Which text to read with several changing lines →