What this change means
With the fifth line leading and the third behind it, this change sets clarity against waste. The fifth says you see the opportunities and feel the determination to act, which tends to bring success. The third admits you aren't using all your talents, and you have many, so chances pass untouched. Below, Wind becomes Water; above, Water becomes Earth, and the image becomes water gathered within the ground. The resulting hexagram, 7 The Army, places the favorable answer in discipline and organization: face the situation directly, say clearly what you want, and don't force it on anyone. Taken together, your motivation needs a structure. Bring all your abilities into play, not just the convenient ones, and organize them toward a clear aim. Speak plainly about what you're after. Ordered, steady effort turns scattered talent into results, and makes room for the people who work 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 5 of 48 Right Action
You recognize the opportunities around you and feel motivated and determined to act, which will bring success.
The well is clear: the cold spring is drunk.
- Line 3 of 48 Right Action
You aren't using all your talents, and you have many, so the opportunities are there but you don't take them.
The well is cleaned, and no one drinks: my heart aches. Water could be drawn. If the king were clear-sighted, all would share in the blessing.
- The judgment of 48 Right Action
You're at a moment when opportunities are on your side. But if you don't know how to use them because you keep putting off decisions and actions, being in the right place at the right time won't do you any good. It's not about looking for new things but about making use of what you have, or there will be loss.
The town is changed, the well is not. Nothing lost, nothing gained. They come and go, and draw from the well. Nearly there, the rope does not yet reach the well; if the jar breaks, misfortune.
- 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 → 48 Right Actionlines 3 and 5
Other transformations of Right Action
- 63After the Endlines 1 and 2
- 60Thriftlines 1 and 3
- 8Unionlines 2 and 3
- 43Overflowinglines 1 and 4
- 31Attractionlines 2 and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 3 and 4
- 11Well-Beinglines 1 and 5
- 15Simplicitylines 2 and 5
- 32What Lastslines 4 and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 1 and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2 and 6
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 3 and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 4 and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.