What this change means
Fire above and a lake below take over when the first, fourth and top lines move, and the united army splits into different camps. Give both judgments equal room. 7 The Army asks you to get organized and face the situation, and adds a detail that matters here: say what you want, but don't try to force it.
The resulting hexagram, 38 Opposites, describes being among people who are different from you yet with whom you must share. What you can achieve for now is small, but don't give in; each side keeps its own nature and contributes from there. That detail becomes the key. State your aims clearly, but don't try to force sameness on anyone. Watch for treating every difference as a battle. Small, shared gains, made by people who stay themselves, are what this time allows.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- The judgment of 38 Opposites
You're in a situation of opposition: the people around you are different from you, yet you need to share with them. This means that what you can achieve for now is small. Even so, don't give in. It matters that both you and they keep your own nature and contribute from there to a shared project.
In small matters, good fortune.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
38 Opposites → 7 The Armylines 1, 4, and 6
Other transformations of The Army
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, and 3
- 51Shocklines 1, 2, and 4
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 3, and 4
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, and 4
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 3, and 5
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 2, 4, and 5
- 28Excesseslines 3, 4, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, and 6
- 35Advancelines 2, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 2, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 3, 5, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.