Once you get to the 6th line, you’ve come to the end in the sense that this is the top of the structure. The 1st line is the foundation but the 6th line is the roof, or even above it. The 6th line is sitting up there on the roof and it really isn’t very interested any longer in what is going on down below in the rest of the house. It’s not really a part of it. Up on the roof, you’re looking out at all the other houses – that’s why this line is called transition.

In a sense when you meet a 6th line, it’s not really here, it’s looking over there. What the 6th line is doing is looking ahead, looking for the transition. What’s coming up? It is this aspect that gives the 6th line its quality of trust and leadership.

It’s rare to find a 6th line who didn’t leave home as soon as possible. They know how it all works, but while they’re in that part of life when they are living as a 3rd line they know that nothing is working right. They need to go through all of that to eventually reach their full potential as a role model.

That can be a painful process and not all 6th lines are going to be healed when they reach the top. It is the job of the 6th line to look beyond – something can’t do well unless they’ve acquired real depth. The 6th line is responsible for the hexagram, to be a role model, an example and a leader so they can tell everyone else what the next step is.

But they can’t do that unless they know what that next step is. They need those years of 3rd line experience, then they need to retreat and consider everything and, finally, if they are operating correctly they can become the role model, the leader. Don’t jump to conclusions about 6th lines because their path is one of process and you can rarely be sure where they are in that process.

In Gate 62 then, the 6th line is focused on detail as part of the process, as part of transition. To derive any benefit from the details they must trust the process. Here is where the final judgment is made about detail. Does it really have any value? Will it be of real use to humanity? The 6th line can use the details to their own advantage and never take responsibility for being the leader. They can be so aloof that instead of looking at the hexagram or the channel they’re looking at the whole circuit and wondering if it’s worth the bother.

Self Study: Look at your sixth lines and combine the keynote with the keynote of the gate. Share your thoughts in the Forum.