What this change means
Five lines move and only the fourth stands still, so the household becomes water within the earth: 7 The Army. That still line leads. It says that if what you have in place doesn't feel like enough to succeed, withdrawing and waiting for a better opening is wiser. The resulting hexagram itself asks for discipline and organization: face the situation directly, speak clearly, say what you want, and don't try to impose it. Together, this is a call to organize before you move. A household or team works like a small army when the stakes rise. Check your resources and your people honestly. If they aren't ready, step back without shame and prepare. When you do act, act with order and clear words, and lead by persuasion rather than force.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 7 The Army, which stays still
If you feel you don't have enough in place to succeed, it's better to pull back and wait for a better moment to act again.
The army withdraws and makes camp. No fault.
- The judgment of 37 The Tribe
Right relationships, with everyone in their proper place and fully carrying out their role, will move things forward and make success last. Your words need to match your actions so they come across as genuine.
The constancy of the woman is favorable.
- Line 1 of 37 The Tribe
If the rules are clear and everyone does their part, there will be progress.
The house is fenced in. Regret vanishes.
- Line 2 of 37 The Tribe
This is not the time to get anything by force. Take your proper place and carry out the duties you've been given.
Pursues nothing of their own: tends the food within. Constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 3 of 37 The Tribe
Keeping discipline and doing your tasks matter if you want to reach your goals. If you take it too lightly, you'll run into trouble.
The household amid stern shouting: regret, danger, good fortune. Wife and children giggling: in the end, distress.
- Line 5 of 37 The Tribe
A balanced inner attitude will give you control over situations and help others make progress.
The king comes to his house. Do not worry. Good fortune.
- Line 6 of 37 The Tribe
You have great power that will make you shine and lead you to succeed in shared undertakings.
There is sincere trust, commanding awe. In the end, 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 → 37 The Tribelines 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of The Tribe
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.