Cui, six in the third placeHexagram 45, line 3 · Cui (Gathering) · changing to 31

The line

The Image commentary on this line

往无咎，上巽也。

"Going brings no blame": the one above is gentle.

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.

• 无咎 no blame: no fault attaches, often because a mistake is corrected in time
• 吝 humiliation: a small, lingering difficulty that comes from not correcting course
• 无攸利 nothing is favorable: no course of action helps right now

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

Asking about work, love or money

Work

You tried to get into the circle through the connections close at hand and hit walls everywhere; all you can do is sigh. Stop clinging to an improper backer and look further afield for the people who are truly right; going only now is a little embarrassing, but it is no mistake.

Love

That murky relationship right in front of you has left you with nothing but sighs, however you try to make it work. Stop clinging to it and go look for someone who is truly proper and right for you; turning away this late is bound to feel embarrassing, but the direction is right.

Money

You have been trying to make money through that unreliable connection close at hand; nothing comes together, and you sigh in vain. Let it go and, even if it means the long way round, seek a proper, reliable partnership; being a step late is a little embarrassing, but it is right.

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 Cui.

Line position

A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the top line, which is also yin, 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.

Proper place, center and correspondence explained →

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 Cui (Gathering); when this line changes it becomes Xian (Mutual Influence): hexagram 45 changing to 31.

Which text to read with several changing lines →