Xiaoguo, six in the fifth placeHexagram 62, line 5 · Xiaoguo (Small Excess) · changing to 31
The line
In plain wordsDark clouds cover the sky but no rain falls; they drift in from the western outskirts. Your own strength is not enough, and all you can do is pull a helper out of a cave. Two weak ones put together cannot accomplish anything great.
The Image commentary on this line
密雲不雨，已上也。
"Dense clouds but no rain": it is already too high.
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
慎Proceed with care. The text gives no verdict, but the picture holds an obstacle and a warning. Slow down and watch the point it warns about.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Plenty of buzz has been built, but nothing actually lands. Your own strength is not enough, and the help you found is not strong either; weak paired with weak cannot carry anything big. Don't insist on taking on a big project; get the small things at hand done first.
- Love
- Feelings have been building for a long time, but nothing ever comes of them, like a sky full of clouds that never rains. You both lack a little confidence, and pushing will not produce a result. Don't count on a big step forward yet; do the small things well.
- Money
- There seem to be plenty of opportunities, but the money just doesn't come in. Your funds are short, and the partner you found has little strength either; together you still can't carry a big plan. Hold on to the small for now, and don't try to go big.
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 Xiaoguo.
Line position
A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place; it holds the center of its trigram. Its partner is the second line, which is also yin, 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 inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Xiaoguo (Small Excess); when this line changes it becomes Xian (Mutual Influence): hexagram 62 changing to 31.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Xian (Mutual Influence)
There is a response between you, a mutual liking. That is a good thing.