Transformation · lines 1 and 6

The Army becomes Decrease

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Mountain above, lake below: the first and top lines move, and the ends of the campaign meet in a time of restraint. The top line leads. It promises real achievements, but asks you to choose carefully who you surround yourself with, and not to put petty people in charge of what you've built. The first line reminds you where everything begins, with a just cause and good order.

The resulting hexagram, 41 Decrease, calls for moderation and saving, conserving energy and resources, avoiding excess while you prepare for bigger projects; growth tends to follow later. So both ends of this reading ask for selectiveness. Keep a small, trustworthy circle and clear reasons for each move. Watch for spending lavishly or expanding your team because things are going well. A leaner, cleaner structure now prepares the ground for growth.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. The judgment of 41 Decrease

    It's a time for moderation and saving: conserving your resources and energy matters a great deal now. A period of growth will follow, but for now you need to stay aware and avoid excess of every kind while you get ready to take on big projects.

    There is sincere trust. Great good fortune. No fault. Constancy is possible. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. What to offer? Two bowls will do for the offering.

The trigrams

Below Water Lake
Above Earth Mountain

The way back

41 Decrease → 7 The Army
lines 1 and 6

Other transformations of The Army

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins