What this change means
Heaven below and wind above appear as four lines move, the first, third, fifth and top, and the army's advance is held back by a light restraint. In the new figure, the second and fourth lines stay where they are, and they explain what to do. The second says that although circumstances push you forward, for now the wiser move is to return and get ready for a later chance. The fourth says acting fairly may meet early difficulties, but the obstacles fade little by little until you reach your goal.
The resulting hexagram, 9 Small Things, describes a promising situation whose time hasn't come yet; take small actions and resolve the remaining obstacles first. So this reading asks you to hold the troops in check. Prepare, act fairly, and let the larger move wait. Watch for outside pressure rushing you into a premature push.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 9 Small Things, which stays still
Even though circumstances push you to advance, for now it's time to go back and prepare to act at a better moment.
Led back. Good fortune.
- Line 4 of 9 Small Things, which stays still
If you act fairly, you may meet difficulties at first, but little by little the obstacles will fade until you reach your goal.
There is sincere trust. The blood goes, the fear leaves. No fault.
- The judgment of 7 The Army
Whatever your question, the favorable answer comes from acting with discipline and organization: face the situation head-on and speak clearly, say what you want, without trying to impose it.
The constancy of a seasoned leader brings good fortune. No fault.
- Line 1 of 7 The Army
There has to be a just cause for you to move in the direction you want.
The army sets out under discipline. Without good order: misfortune.
- Line 3 of 7 The Army
If you don't keep up the conditions needed for success and you slacken in your task, there will be misfortune.
Perhaps the army hauls corpses on its carts. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 7 The Army
Choosing the situations you're able to face will keep you out of useless fights.
There is game in the field. It is favorable to seize it. No fault. The eldest son leads the army; the younger son hauls corpses. Even with constancy, misfortune.
- Line 6 of 7 The Army
You'll get real achievements and results, but choose carefully who you surround yourself with right now.
The great prince gives his command: founding states, conferring houses. Do not employ the petty person.
- The judgment of 9 Small Things
You're facing a situation that promises success, but it isn't time yet. There are still obstacles on the way that you need to resolve. For now you can take small actions and wait for the right moment to act on a large scale.
Success. Dense clouds and no rain, from my western outskirts.
The trigrams
The way back
9 Small Things → 7 The Armylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of The Army
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 63After the Endlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.