Jiji, nine in the third placeHexagram 63, line 3 · Jiji (After Completion) · changing to 3
The line
In plain wordsGaozong made war on the Demon Land and needed three years to conquer it. A great undertaking after things have been accomplished costs time and strength, and must not be started lightly. And once it is won, petty people must not be given office.
The Image commentary on this line
三年克之，憊也。
He "conquers it in three years": this is exhausting.
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. The text gives no verdict, only an image. Ask what in your situation the image resembles. The answer is there.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- After a success you want to open a big new campaign, but it will drag on and wear people out, so don't start it lightly. If you really must, prepare for the long haul, and don't hand key positions to people who only look out for themselves.
- Love
- Setting out to fight a long war in love, such as insisting on completely remaking the other person or pursuing someone very hard to win, is long and exhausting, so don't start it lightly. And don't listen to people who like to stir up trouble.
- Money
- You have just earned a little and already want to do something bigger, but that will take a long time and wear you out, so don't make the move lightly. If you really must, choose your partners carefully, and don't take on people who only chase quick, small gains.
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 Jiji.
Line position
A yang line in a yang place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the top line, which is its opposite, so the two answer each other.
Third place: the top of the lower trigram, a place of risk. A moment of transition. Be on guard.
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 Jiji (After Completion); when this line changes it becomes Zhun (Difficult Beginnings): hexagram 63 changing to 3.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Zhun (Difficult Beginnings)
Every beginning is hard, and right now you are in the hardest part of the beginning.