What this change means
Wind sweeps across the earth as the second, fifth and top lines move, and the commander climbs to a high place to look around. Both judgments share the weight. The starting one gives you a disciplined frame, the kind of order an experienced leader keeps so that nobody acts on impulse.
The resulting hexagram, 20 Observing, says to look before you act. Right now others may draw inspiration from you, and you in turn need to observe those who inspire you; that lets things unfold at the right moment. So the army pauses to survey the field. Use your discipline to watch carefully instead of advancing at once. Notice who looks to you and whom you can learn from. Watch for moving before you've seen the whole picture. Clear sight now tends to make the eventual action timely and clean.
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 20 Observing
Observe before you act. Right now you're a source of inspiration for others, and at the same time you need to observe those who inspire you. This will let things unfold at the right moment, and perfectly.
Hands washed, the offering not yet made. There is sincere trust, solemn and grave.
- Line 2 of 7 The Army
Keep up your activity and discipline to reach what you want, and you'll get it.
In the midst of the army: good fortune. No fault. Three times the king bestows his charge.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
20 Observing → 7 The Armylines 2, 5, 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
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 2, 4, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 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.