Xun, nine in the fifth placeHexagram 57, line 5 · Xun (The Gentle Wind) · changing to 18
The line
In plain wordsStaying true brings good fortune, regret vanishes, and there is nothing that is not favorable. The start does not go smoothly, but the ending is good. When you mean to change something: for three days beforehand give careful, repeated notice, and for three days afterward weigh the results closely. Good fortune.
The Image commentary on this line
九五之吉，位正中也。
The good fortune of nine in the fifth place: its place is correct and central.
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
- If you want to change the rules or the way things are done, go ahead. Before the change, explain it again and again so everyone is prepared; after it, look closely at the results and adjust what is off. A rough start doesn't matter; keep to the right path and it ends well.
- Love
- If you want to change how the two of you get along, or take the relationship a step further, you can. Talk it through with the other person again and again first, rather than springing it on them; afterward, pay close attention to how they feel. It is awkward at first, but it gets smoother.
- Money
- If you want to adjust your business terms or change how you manage money, you can. Make it clear to everyone involved before you move, and check the gains and losses carefully afterward. Keep to the right path and nothing will be unfavorable.
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 yang line in a yang place: it is in its proper place; it holds the center of its trigram. Its partner is the second line, which is also yang, so there is no answer from it.
Fifth place: the center of the upper trigram, the ruler's seat, a place of achievement. This is where things are decided.
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 Xun (The Gentle Wind); when this line changes it becomes Gu (Repairing Decay): hexagram 57 changing to 18.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Gu (Repairing Decay)
Old problems that have piled up have reached the point where they must be dealt with.