What this change means
Wind joins wind as the third, fifth and top lines move, and the army's march becomes a gentle, persistent current. Two judgments are held together. 7 The Army is about order and frankness: confront the matter and make your wishes known, but never by pushing them onto others.
The resulting hexagram, 57 Gentleness, says gains come through gentleness now, not through big actions, pressure or force. Choose a path and stay on it steadily; success shows itself through the build-up of small actions and through the support of those above you. The meeting point is the clause about not imposing. Discipline here looks like quiet persistence rather than a campaign. Keep your direction, take one small step after another, and seek backing from people with influence. Watch for frustration that tempts you to push. Patient consistency tends to win more ground.
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 57 Gentleness
It's a time when you'll gain and succeed through gentleness. This isn't the time for big actions, or for using pressure or force. It's a time to choose a path and stay on it steadily. Even if you don't see much progress, success will show itself through the build-up of small actions and through seeking the support of those above you.
Small success. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. It is favorable to see the great person.
- 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 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
57 Gentleness → 7 The Armylines 3, 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
- 20Observinglines 2, 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.