What this change means
Water gathers within the earth when three lines change; the loose, personal matter of feeding yourself becomes a question of order. Each judgment counts the same. Nourishment is about the quality of what sustains you, and about passing that quality on. The resulting hexagram, 7 The Army, says the favorable answer comes from discipline and organization: face the situation head-on, speak clearly, say what you want without forcing it. Together they suggest structure. Good nourishment rarely happens by impulse. Set routines, organize your resources, and be clear with others about what you need and what you can offer. The image of the resulting hexagram speaks of caring for many people, so think of those who depend on you too, and organize with them in mind.
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 27 Nourishment
Right now you need to take care of your physical and spiritual nourishment, so you have the resources you need in each area, and at the same time help others grow through what you do. Success lies in giving and receiving: take in what is good for you and share it with those around you.
Constancy brings good fortune. Watching the jaws; seeking for oneself what fills the mouth.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 27 Nourishment
Being ungrateful for what you have and busying yourself envying what others have will hold back your achievements.
You let go of your sacred tortoise and watch my jaw working. Misfortune.
- Line 2 of 27 Nourishment
Expecting others to sort out your affairs and acting selfishly isn't favorable.
Jaws turned upside down: against the norm. Seeking sustenance from the hill. Setting out brings misfortune.
- Line 6 of 27 Nourishment
You gain the resources to take care of your own affairs, and you help others get theirs. This brings a great responsibility, but also great success.
From here comes sustenance. Danger; good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
The trigrams
The way back
7 The Army → 27 Nourishmentlines 1, 2, and 6
Other transformations of Nourishment
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 1, 2, and 3
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 3, and 4
- 14Wealthlines 2, 3, and 4
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 1, 2, and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 1, 3, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 2, 3, and 5
- 12Declinelines 1, 4, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 4, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 3, 4, and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 3, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 2, 3, and 6
- 16Passionlines 1, 4, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 2, 4, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 3, 4, and 6
- 8Unionlines 1, 5, and 6
- 60Thriftlines 2, 5, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 3, 5, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.