What this change means
Water gathers within the Earth when the four middle lines move, second through fifth: the attraction that drew people near becomes the discipline that organizes them. The resulting hexagram is 7 The Army, which asks you to face the situation head-on, speak clearly and say what you want, without imposing it. With four lines changing, its two still lines carry the guidance. The first says there has to be a just cause before you move in the direction you want. The top line points to real achievements and results, but asks you to choose carefully who you surround yourself with. Put those together and the message is plain. Check that your reason for acting is fair, gather people with care rather than by impulse, and lead with order and clarity. The openness you bring still matters, but now it needs structure.
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 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 31 Attraction
You'll get good results to the extent that you stay open and receptive, which lets people come close who will support you and help you get there, generously and without self-interest.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Taking a wife brings good fortune.
- Line 2 of 31 Attraction
Wait, without rushing or taking the initiative, until the right people and situations show up on their own.
Contact at the calves. Misfortune. Staying put brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 31 Attraction
Don't act hastily, attaching yourself to the wrong people or chasing your dreams without thinking: this will take you off the path.
Contact at the thighs. Holding on to what follows. Going on: distress.
- Line 4 of 31 Attraction
Centering yourself in your heart and your inner resources will let what is right for you find you naturally.
Constancy brings good fortune. Regret vanishes. Restless, coming and going; friends follow your thoughts.
- Line 5 of 31 Attraction
An attitude of stillness, without trying to influence people or events, will bring you achievement.
Contact at the back. No regret.
- 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 → 31 Attractionlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Attraction
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 42Increaselines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 23The Falllines 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.