What this change means
Water within the Earth: the second, fourth, fifth and top lines move, and the result is 7 The Army. The first and third lines hold still, and they set the terms. The first says any move toward what you want needs a just cause behind it. The third warns that if you don't keep up the conditions for success and you slacken, misfortune follows. The resulting hexagram favors discipline and organization: face the situation head-on, say clearly what you want, and don't try to impose it. So as the stuck time ends, ask first whether your aim is fair. If it is, organize your effort and your people, and keep the pressure steady. Don't let early gains make you careless. The image of caring for the many is a reminder: lead in a way that looks after those who come with you.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 7 The Army, which stays still
There has to be a just cause for you to move in the direction you want.
The army sets out under discipline. Without good order: misfortune.
- 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 12 Decline
You're surrounded by adverse people and situations. Avoid getting involved with those people, no matter what they offer you. Circumstances aren't good for acting or making decisions; it's time to withdraw to a safe place and wait for conditions to change. It's time to keep a low profile.
Stagnation: these are not worthy people. The constancy of the noble person is not favorable. The great goes, the small comes.
- Line 2 of 12 Decline
Even when adverse people and situations surround you, keeping your strength inside helps you get through this moment.
Embracing and obeying. For the petty person, good fortune; for the great person, stagnation. Success.
- Line 4 of 12 Decline
If you act genuinely and with inner integrity, you'll come out of any situation well and be rewarded.
There is a mandate. No fault. Companions share in the blessing.
- Line 5 of 12 Decline
The stagnation is ending, but you still need to act with caution until the situation is fully stable.
Stagnation comes to rest. For the great person, good fortune. “It may be lost, it may be lost”: tied to the leafy mulberry.
- Line 6 of 12 Decline
After a period of stagnation comes a stage of growth, well-being and harmony.
Stagnation is overturned. First stagnation, then joy.
- 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 → 12 Declinelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Decline
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 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.