Transformation · lines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Treading Carefully becomes The Army
What this change means
Water within the earth: four lines move, and the second and third lines of 7 The Army stay still to guide the reading. The second says that steady activity and discipline will get you what you're after. The third warns that if you don't maintain the conditions for success and you slacken in your task, misfortune follows. From Treading Carefully, then, the movement leads into organized effort: face the situation directly, say clearly what you want without imposing it, and act with discipline. The two still lines are two sides of one demand. Keep going, and keep the structure in place. Don't relax once things look good. Maintain your routines, your preparation and your clarity. Careful steps become disciplined ones, and consistency is what turns them into results.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 7 The Army, which stays still
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 3 of 7 The Army, which stays still
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.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
- Line 1 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're in a position out of view that will let you focus on your projects.
A plain step. Going: no fault.
- Line 4 of 10 Treading Carefully
You're getting involved in a risky venture, but your inner strength and firmness will help you succeed.
Stepping on the tiger's tail. Wary, wary; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 5 of 10 Treading Carefully
If you're aware of the danger in going ahead and you act with caution, you'll succeed.
A resolute step. Constancy is in danger.
- Line 6 of 10 Treading Carefully
If you watch for the favorable signs to know when to act, and then act decisively, you'll succeed.
Looking back over the steps taken, examining the signs. If it turns back on itself: great good fortune.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
7 The Army → 10 Treading Carefullylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 23The Falllines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 8Unionlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.