Jian, nine at the topHexagram 53, line 6 · Jian (Gradual Progress) · changing to 39
The line
In plain wordsThe wild goose has flown up to the great road among the clouds. Its feathers can be used to adorn the ceremonial regalia. Good fortune. Your position may already be above and outside it all, yet you are not a useless person.
The Image commentary on this line
其羽可用為儀，吉；不可亂也。
"Its feathers can be used for the ceremony. Good fortune": it cannot be thrown into disorder.
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
- You have stepped back from the front line, or moved to a place where there is no need to compete, but your experience and your bearing are still of use. Advise, mentor newcomers, set an example, and keep to the rules and proper order; that is a good thing.
- Love
- In love you no longer fight over this and that; your state of mind has risen a level, and the way you treat people earns respect in itself. Keep your sense of measure and don't throw things out of order; this calm ease is good.
- Money
- With money you no longer need to strive, and you can stand a little above it all. Your experience and your good name are worth something in themselves; use them to help others and to set sound rules. Keep things in order and don't lose your method; that is 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 Jian.
Line position
A yang line in a yin place: it is not in its proper place. Its partner is the third line, which is also yang, so there is no answer from it.
Top place: the end of the matter. What reaches its limit turns. Know when to stop.
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 Jian (Gradual Progress); when this line changes it becomes Jian (Obstruction): hexagram 53 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.