What this change means
Water hides inside the earth, a gathered strength, as the second, third and top lines move. With three lines, the two judgments count equally. Abiding is the call to stop, stay steady, and not go past what's happening now. The resulting hexagram, 7 The Army, says the good answer comes from discipline and organization: face the matter head-on and speak clearly about what you want, without trying to impose it. Combined, they describe disciplined stillness. Don't scatter your energy; order it. Know your position, say plainly what you're after, and hold back from forcing it on anyone. The calm of the mountain and the discipline of a well-run camp are the same strength here. Order your thoughts first, then your words, then your steps.
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 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
- 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 2 of 52 Abiding
Right now you can only see to stopping yourself in the right place; you can't make sure others do the same.
Still the calves. It cannot come to the aid of what it follows; the heart is not glad.
- Line 3 of 52 Abiding
The stillness you need now can't be forced. It has to come from a calm heart and unhurried breathing.
Still the waist; the flesh along the spine is torn. Danger: the heart is smothered.
- Line 6 of 52 Abiding
There's perfect stillness, an inner calm that lets you master what's outside. Success.
Deep stillness. Good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
7 The Army → 52 Abidinglines 2, 3, and 6
Other transformations of Abiding
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, and 3
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, and 4
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, and 4
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, and 4
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, and 5
- 42Increaselines 1, 3, and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2, 3, and 5
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 4, and 5
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 4, and 5
- 12Declinelines 3, 4, and 5
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 3, and 6
- 55Abundancelines 1, 4, and 6
- 32What Lastslines 2, 4, and 6
- 16Passionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 5, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 5, and 6
- 8Unionlines 3, 5, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.