Guimei, nine at the beginningHexagram 54, line 1 · Guimei (The Marrying Maiden) · changing to 40
The line
In plain wordsMarrying in the role of the bride's attendant. It is like being lame and still able to walk: the person is good, only the position is low, and she can do no more than assist. Going forward in this way brings good fortune.
The Image commentary on this line
歸妹以娣，以恆也。跛能履吉，相承也。
"The maiden marries as a secondary wife": this is the constant way. "The lame can still walk", with good fortune: they support one another.
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
- For now you are only a supporting player: your position is low and your word doesn't decide things, but you are someone who can be relied on. Do the supporting work with a settled mind, keep at it steadily, and move forward step by step; that is good.
- Love
- In love you may not be the one who is doted on, and you don't have the upper hand, but you are sincere and dependable. Don't compete over who comes first; support the other person with a settled heart and keep going for the long run. That is good.
- Money
- You don't have much capital and you are not the one in charge, so you can only earn by helping out behind someone else. Don't scorn it for being small. Work solidly and keep it up for the long run; going forward this way 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 Guimei.
Line position
A yang line in a yang place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the fourth line, which is also yang, so there is no answer from it.
First place: the beginning of the matter. Low position, little power. Begin carefully.
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 Guimei (The Marrying Maiden); when this line changes it becomes Xie (Release): hexagram 54 changing to 40.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Xie (Release)
The difficulty is lifting; you can breathe out.