What this change means
With four lines changing, the figure becomes water hidden within the earth. So the reading looks to the lines that stay still in 7 The Army, the third and the sixth. The third warns that if you don't keep up the conditions success needs, and you slacken in your task, misfortune follows. The sixth promises real results while asking you to choose carefully who you surround yourself with. That second point echoes the starting hexagram, which spends several of its lines on the company you keep. The resulting hexagram favors discipline and organization, facing the situation head-on and saying clearly what you want without imposing it. So the move from adapting to organized effort depends on two things: steady work that doesn't let up halfway, and a team chosen with care. Keep both, and the results can be solid.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- Line 6 of 7 The Army, which stays still
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 judgment of 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
- Line 1 of 17 Adapting
Being able to yield, listen and accept opinions different from yours will lead you to success.
The post changes. Constancy brings good fortune. Going out the gate to deal with others bears fruit.
- Line 2 of 17 Adapting
Choosing very carefully who you surround yourself with makes your projects succeed.
Cling to the boy, lose the grown man.
- Line 4 of 17 Adapting
Don't tie yourself to situations and people out of comfort or habit. Knowing how to choose who you keep around you, and stepping away from those you can tell aren't right, brings success.
Following brings a catch. Even with constancy, misfortune. There is sincere trust on the way; with clarity, what fault could there be?
- Line 5 of 17 Adapting
If a larger purpose drives you, a dream that inspires you, you'll get what you want.
Trust in what is good. 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 → 17 Adaptinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Adapting
- 48Right Actionlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 32What Lastslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 23The Falllines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 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.