臨 → 損
Hexagram 19: Approach → Hexagram 41: Decrease
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 1 changing line (line 6).
Line 6
上六 敦臨。吉。无咎。
Six at the top means: Greathearted approach. Good fortune. No blame.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
秋蛇向穴，不失其節；夫人姜氏，自齊復入。
The autumn serpent turns toward its burrow, never losing its season; Lady Jiang returned from Qi and entered her household once more.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth above the lake meets the mountain above the lake — Decrease's disciplined sacrifice. An autumn snake turns toward its burrow, never losing its proper rhythm. The lady Jiang returns to Lu from Qi, restoring herself to her rightful place. The snake entering its winter den embodies timely withdrawal — instinctive knowledge of when to retreat. The 'lady Jiang from Qi' likely refers to one of the Jiang-surnamed consorts of Lu's ducal house, whose return from her natal state signifies the restoration of marital and political order. From Approach to Decrease, what is given up makes the whole stronger. The snake sacrifices the open field for survival; the lady sacrifices independence for domestic harmony. Both follow the season.
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