Hexagram 3, Line 6

The Line Text

Interpretation

This top line represents the culmination of the struggle inherent in Hexagram 3. The period of "Difficulty at the Beginning" has reached its most extreme and painful point. The image of "riding a horse, turning back and forth" signifies a state of complete paralysis and indecision. There is a desire to move and act (riding the horse), but all paths seem blocked, leading to frantic, non-productive movement. The individual is utterly stuck. This leads to the devastating image of "weeping tears of blood," which symbolizes the most profound grief, despair, and helplessness. It is a state of emotional and spiritual exhaustion where all resources seem to have been depleted. However, the commentary offers a crucial insight: this extreme condition is, by its very nature, unsustainable. Such intense suffering cannot endure indefinitely. This line, therefore, marks a breaking point. It is the darkest moment before the dawn, a point of total surrender that precedes a fundamental change in the situation.

Guidance for Action

Your current struggle has reached its peak. Pushing harder or trying to force a solution will only deepen your frustration and despair. The guidance here is to stop. Cease the frantic effort. Acknowledge the depth of your pain and exhaustion. The "tears of blood" are not a sign of failure, but of a necessary catharsis. You must allow yourself to feel the full weight of the situation and let go of the need to control it. This is a time for surrender, not for action. By accepting your current helplessness, you create the space for the situation to resolve itself or for a new path to emerge. Conserve your energy. The intensity of this moment signals that the situation is about to break. Have faith that this extreme state cannot last.

For Love & Relationships

This line points to a relationship that has reached a painful and seemingly hopeless impasse. You and/or your partner may feel completely stuck, going over the same arguments and issues repeatedly without any resolution ("riding a horse, turning back and forth"). The emotional toll is immense, leading to deep sorrow and a sense of utter despair. Trying to "fix" things with the same old methods is futile. The advice is to stop the struggle. This may require creating distance, ceasing difficult conversations, and acknowledging that the current dynamic is unsustainable. It is a moment for profound emotional release, not for making decisions. The relationship is at a breaking point; it will either end, or it will have to be completely reborn from a place of honesty after this crisis passes.

For Career & Business

In a career context, this line indicates a state of severe burnout and strategic paralysis. You may be working incredibly hard on a project, in a new role, or on a business venture, but you are making no forward progress. You feel overwhelmed, trapped, and that all your efforts are in vain. This has led to a state of professional despair. Continuing to push in the same direction is counterproductive. The wisest action is to step back completely. Take a leave of absence if possible, or at the very least, mentally and emotionally disengage from the struggle. The current approach has failed. This breaking point is a signal that a radical change is necessary—perhaps abandoning the project, resigning from the job, or fundamentally rethinking your entire career path. The pain is a message that your current course is deeply wrong for you.

For Financial Matters

This line represents a financial situation that has become a source of extreme anguish and stress. You may be caught in a losing investment, a failing business, or a debt cycle from which you see no escape. Every attempt to remedy the situation seems to make it worse, leaving you feeling trapped and panicked ("riding in circles"). The "tears of blood" are the anxiety and despair over your financial state. The guidance is unequivocal: stop the bleeding. Stop throwing good money after bad. Stop the frantic attempts to trade your way out of a loss. The pain you are feeling is a clear signal that the current strategy is a complete failure. You must accept the loss or the difficult reality of the situation. This may mean liquidating a position, declaring bankruptcy, or seeking drastic help. While painful, surrendering to the reality is the only way to end the unsustainable suffering and begin to build anew.