What this change means
Thunder replaces the earth on top when the fourth line moves, and the long tension of the campaign breaks like a storm. This line is the heart of it. If you sense that not enough is in place for success, step back and wait for a better time to try again. The old image shows the army withdrawing to make camp, and it carries no fault. Retreat here isn't defeat; it's good judgment.
The resulting hexagram, 40 Clearing Obstacles, says the hurdles are being overcome one by one, and that balance matters now. Act quickly where you can, without overrating your strength, and take a rest or a step back when you need one. Watch for pride that keeps you pushing when you're short of resources. A well-timed pause tends to make the next advance much easier.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
40 Clearing Obstacles → 7 The Armyline 4
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.