What this change means
Heaven takes the place of earth when the fourth, fifth and top lines move, and the water below now runs the opposite way from the sky. Two judgments are weighed. The starting hexagram brings an army's readiness: a tidy structure, a direct approach, and a clear account of what you want.
The resulting hexagram, 6 Conflict, describes a dispute that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. It suggests recognizing that nothing can be settled right now, letting events run their course, and seeking advice from someone wise. Here the army's readiness meets a fight it shouldn't wage. Keep your clarity and your order, but don't march. State your position calmly and then step back. Watch for the urge to win at any cost. Wise counsel and patience tend to get you out of this better than a campaign would.
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 6 Conflict
A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.
There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.
- 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 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
6 Conflict → 7 The Armylines 4, 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
- 57Gentlenesslines 3, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.