Lü, nine at the topHexagram 56, line 6 · Lü (The Wanderer) · changing to 62
The line
In plain wordsThe bird's nest is burned. The wanderer first laughs in self-satisfaction, then cries out loud. In a careless, arrogant moment he has lost the ox, that is, the virtue of gentle yielding. Misfortune. He is in a strange land and still sets himself above everyone.
The Image commentary on this line
以旅在上，其義焚也。喪牛于易，終莫之聞也。
A wanderer, and at the top: by what is right, he is burned. "He loses his ox through carelessness": to the end he hears nothing of it.
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
止Hold back. This text describes a bad outcome. Carry on as you are and you will lose by it. Stop, step aside or change your approach. Do not force it.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- You are on someone else's ground and still lording it over everyone, full of yourself. It looks glorious for a moment, but keep this up and you will lose even the ground you stand on. Drop the arrogance right now and lower yourself, before it is too late even to cry.
- Love
- Counting on the other person to give way, you have grown smug and careless and lost your gentleness and consideration. Keep this up and the laughter will turn to tears. Stop this attitude, and don't take the other person's patience for granted.
- Money
- You made a little money and got carried away: spending lavishly and treating people with arrogance. One careless moment and your whole nest egg can go up in flames. Pull back now, put down the airs, and hold on to what is fundamental.
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 Lü.
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 Lü (The Wanderer); when this line changes it becomes Xiaoguo (Small Excess): hexagram 56 changing to 62.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Xiaoguo (Small Excess)
Small things can be done; do not touch the big ones. Better to stay a little low.