Transformation · lines 1, 4, 5, and 6
The Army becomes Treading Carefully
What this change means
Heaven rises above a lake as four lines move, the first, fourth, fifth and top, and the soldier must now step carefully past a powerful presence. The counsel lives in the two unmoved lines, the second and third. The second says that staying on your own with your projects, for now, leads to success. The third warns that overestimating your abilities may lead you to take on tasks you're not ready for.
The resulting hexagram, 10 Treading Carefully, describes a difficult situation in which conducting yourself with awareness and gentleness can make even possible rivals give ground, or become allies. So this is a reading about modesty in action. Work independently, know your limits, and move with care around people who could block you. Watch for taking on a battle bigger than you can handle. Careful, humble conduct tends to carry you through safely.
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 10 Treading Carefully, which stays still
Staying on your own with your projects, for now, will lead you to success.
Treading a level, open road. For one who lives apart, constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 10 Treading Carefully, which stays still
By overestimating your abilities, you may take on tasks you're not prepared for.
The one-eyed can see, the lame can walk. Stepping on the tiger's tail, and it bites. Misfortune. A warrior acts for the great prince.
- 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 4 of 7 The Army
If you feel you don't have enough in place to succeed, it's better to pull back and wait for a better moment to act again.
The army withdraws and makes camp. No fault.
- 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 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
The trigrams
The way back
10 Treading Carefully → 7 The Armylines 1, 4, 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
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 3, 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.