Xun, six at the beginningHexagram 57, line 1 · Xun (The Gentle Wind) · changing to 9
The line
In plain wordsOne moment you want to advance, the next you want to retreat, and you cannot make up your mind: humility carried too far. Only by staying true with a soldier's decisiveness will it go well.
The Image commentary on this line
進退，志疑也。利武人之貞，志治也。
"Advancing and retreating": the purpose is in doubt. "It is favorable to stay true like a soldier": the purpose is put in order.
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.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Whether to take it on, whether to speak up: you think it over and over, stepping forward and then back, too afraid of offending anyone. First set yourself a standard, and be as decisive as a soldier: once it is decided, do it, and stop going back and forth.
- Love
- You want to get closer but fear being too forward; you want to speak but swallow the words, going back and forth without deciding. First be clear about what you want, then be decisive. If you keep advancing and retreating, the other person can't read you either.
- Money
- To buy or not, to do it or not: you change your mind again and again, and flip-flopping like this wastes the most money and the most energy. Set your own rules and limits first. Make the call once you have thought it through, and once it is made, stick to it.
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 Xun.
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.
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 Xun (The Gentle Wind); when this line changes it becomes Xiaoxu (Small Restraint): hexagram 57 changing to 9.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Xiaoxu (Small Restraint)
One last push is still missing and it won't come off — the clouds are thick, but the rain hasn't fallen.