He most likely does like it, but this liking leans heavily toward "polite acceptance"; the degree to which he was genuinely moved is limited. In the hexagram, the Self and Other lines clash and the Yong Shen (Focus) retreating through transformation — the gift was received, but it may not have hit the point he most hoped for deep down.

The gift was accepted, but the impact was shallow; his attitude remains polite

Background Analysis

The Primary Hexagram is Hexagram 61 — Zhong Fu (Inner Truth), which carries the meaning of "sincerity, courtesy, and surface harmony," while the Resulting Hexagram, Hexagram 42 — Yi (Increase), indicates "some gain, but not a dramatic change." The Self Line represents you: it holds Siblings Chou (Earth), drained by the monthly command Shen (Metal) and weakened by the daily date Zi (Water), so your own state is somewhat passive, with some anxiety about the outcome. The Other Line represents him: it holds Officer Mao (Wood), with the monthly command Shen (Metal) overcoming Wood and the daily date Zi (Water) supporting Wood, placing him in a state of "under pressure but with hidden support" — meaning he received your gesture, but has not shown strong emotion at present. Between the Self and Other lines, the Other Line overcomes the Self Line, so he occupies the psychological high ground in this relationship, and your giving is easily received by him with a "that's to be expected" attitude.

The Yong Shen (Focus) Officer retreating through transformation; the degree of liking diminishes over time

Yong Shen (Focus) Analysis

When a woman divines about Love, the Officer serves as the Yong Shen (Focus), representing his attitude and feelings. In this hexagram, the Officer Mao (Wood) appears twice, so the Changing Line — the Officer Mao (Wood) on the second line — is taken as the Yong Shen (Focus). Mao (Wood) is in a state of death in the Shen month; although the daily date Zi (Water) supports it, the strength is limited, so it is not flourishing on its own. More crucially, the Changing Line Mao (Wood) transforms into Yin (Wood), which is a "retreat," indicating that his fondness for the gift will gradually fade — not growing fonder the more he looks at it, but dimming once the novelty wears off. On the fifth line, Parents Si (Fire) conceals the hidden Wealth Zi (Water); the Wealth represents the gift itself, and lying hidden without emerging, it suggests the gift has not fully conveyed the "emotional value" you intended, remaining more at the level of "an object." The Other Line, Officer Mao (Wood), is attended by the Black Tortoise, which governs concealment and restraint in expression — even if he likes it, he will not say so directly, and may offer nothing more than a courtesy thank-you.

The timing depends on when the Yong Shen (Focus) grows strong, but strong feedback is unlikely overall

Timing Inference

With the Yong Shen (Focus) Mao (Wood) retreating through transformation, and Wood Qi at its weakest in the current Shen month, his attitude will not become clear right away. By the ninth lunar month (the Xu month), Mao and Xu combine, and he may mention the gift in passing on some occasion, but Xu is also where Mao (Wood) enters its tomb, so the feedback will tend to be subdued. A response with somewhat more substance may come in the eleventh lunar month (the Zi month), when Zi (Water) supports the daily date and nourishes Mao (Wood); if his mood improves, he might take the initiative to offer a bit of affirmation. However, with the retreat-through-transformation pattern already set, an enthusiastic "I really love it" reaction is unlikely. In the Gregorian calendar, this corresponds to roughly mid-December 2026.

Practical Advice

• There is no need to press him on whether he likes it; pressing would only make him feel the gift comes with the pressure of "demanding an emotional return."
• Before giving the next gift, first observe what he has been lacking or has mentioned recently — matching his tastes will move him far more than the gift's monetary value.
• If you want to warm up the relationship, do not rely on gift-giving alone; creating a relaxed, natural sense of companionship through everyday interaction is more effective than any single gift.