Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 6
The Army becomes The Vessel of Nourishment
What this change means
Fire burns over wood as the third, fourth and top lines move, and the army's supplies go into a cauldron. Two judgments sit in balance. 7 The Army supplies the method, a disciplined plan and direct, honest talk, with good fortune coming through steady, experienced leadership.
The resulting hexagram, 50 The Vessel of Nourishment, describes change that happens naturally, without upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame of enthusiasm lit, and know exactly what you have to work with, as a cook knows the ingredients. Put together, this reading asks for an orderly, gradual transformation. Know what you're working with, organize it, and let the process take its time. Watch for turning up the heat to rush results. Steady attention and clear aims tend to bring change about little by little.
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 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great good fortune. Success.
- 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 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
50 The Vessel of Nourishment → 7 The Armylines 3, 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
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 2, 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.