Gen, six at the beginningHexagram 52, line 1 · Gen (Stillness) · changing to 22

The line

The Image commentary on this line

艮其趾，未失正也。

"Stilling the toes": what is correct has not yet been lost.

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

平Neutral. Neither good nor bad. Do your part, correct mistakes, and nothing will go wrong.

• 利 favorable: a course of action that helps, under the stated condition
• 无咎 no blame: no fault attaches, often because a mistake is corrected in time

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

Asking about work, love or money

Work

You want to change jobs or take on a new project, but if it feels wrong before you take the step, stop right there; that is no mistake. Once you have stopped, don't keep wavering. Hold on to that judgment for the long run.

Love

There is a step in love you haven't taken yet, and it already feels wrong, so stop here; that is no mistake. Stopping early means less hurt for everyone. Keep your heart steady, and don't let a single word pull you back in.

Money

If you want to spend a large sum or go into business with someone, stopping before the money leaves your hands is right. Keep your hand still, and don't give in after a little persuading. Keep up this caution for the long run and you won't go wrong.

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 Gen.

Line position

A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the fourth line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.

First place: the beginning of the matter. Low position, little power. Begin carefully.

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 Gen (Stillness); when this line changes it becomes Bi (Adornment): hexagram 52 changing to 22.

Which text to read with several changing lines →