Transformation · lines 3, 4, and 6
The Vessel of Nourishment becomes The Army
What this change means
Water within the Earth: lines three, four and six move, and the vessel becomes a force that needs organizing. The starting judgment describes change that comes gradually and naturally, sustained by enthusiasm and a clear grasp of your resources. The resulting hexagram, 7 The Army, says the favorable answer comes from discipline and organization: face the situation directly, say clearly what you want, and don't impose it. Balanced, these say your transformation now needs structure. Knowing your resources becomes knowing your people and what each can do. Keep the flame lit, but direct it. Plan the steps, assign the tasks, and communicate plainly. Order rather than force is what turns many efforts into one result. Watch for drift or for leaning on the wrong people; a disciplined vessel holds its contents.
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 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
It's a time of change and adjustment, and it will happen naturally, without great upheaval, the way food cooks. Keep the flame lit: it's the enthusiasm that gives you the strength to keep going. And be clear about the resources you have, the way a cook chooses the ingredients. The change will come about little by little.
Great good fortune. Success.
- 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 3 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
For now you're in a place where your talents and qualities aren't recognized. There's nothing to worry about: if you stay true to yourself and act with integrity, success will come in the end.
The ears of the cauldron are altered; its going is blocked. The pheasant fat is not eaten. When the rain comes, regret wanes. In the end, good fortune.
- Line 4 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
If you stray from your purpose and get involved with the wrong people, you won't succeed.
The cauldron breaks a leg and spills the prince's stew. Its form is drenched. Misfortune.
- Line 6 of 50 The Vessel of Nourishment
Your actions will be richly rewarded. Success in your projects: you find human favor and divine help.
The cauldron with a bar of jade. Great good fortune. Nothing that is not favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
7 The Army → 50 The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of The Vessel of Nourishment
- 21Bitinglines 1, 2, and 3
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 2, and 4
- 41Decreaselines 1, 3, and 4
- 23The Falllines 2, 3, and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 2, and 5
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 3, and 5
- 12Declinelines 2, 3, and 5
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 4, and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 2, 4, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 3, 4, and 5
- 55Abundancelines 1, 2, and 6
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 3, and 6
- 16Passionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 2, 4, and 6
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 2, 5, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 3, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.