Transformation · lines 1 and 4
A Subordinate Role becomes The Army
What this change means
Water appears below and Earth above as the first and fourth lines move, the fourth leading. It says that patience pays: if you can wait, what you want arrives in its proper form. The first line adds that a background role, carried out helpfully and without seeking attention, keeps things going well. The resulting hexagram, 7 The Army, brings discipline into the picture. Whatever your question, the favorable answer comes from acting in an organized way, facing the situation directly and saying clearly what you want, without forcing it on anyone. So wait, but wait in good order. Prepare, organize your resources, and when you speak, be plain and calm. Patience and discipline together are stronger than eagerness. The army that waits in formation is ready when its moment comes.
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 54 A Subordinate Role
If you know how to wait, you'll get what you want, and get it perfectly.
The young woman lets the time for her wedding pass. A late marriage has its hour.
- Line 1 of 54 A Subordinate Role
If you know how to hold your subordinate place and stay in the background, helping from there however you can without seeking the spotlight, things will go well.
The young woman marries as a second wife. The lame can walk. Setting out brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 54 A Subordinate Role
You're in a situation where you have to take second place to others; any personal initiative will lead to failure. Recognizing the moment and acting in keeping with it is all you can do until things change and you're in a better position.
Setting out brings misfortune. Nothing is favorable.
- 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 → 54 A Subordinate Rolelines 1 and 4
Other transformations of A Subordinate Role
- 16Passionlines 1 and 2
- 32What Lastslines 1 and 3
- 55Abundancelines 2 and 3
- 24Coming Backlines 2 and 4
- 11Well-Beinglines 3 and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1 and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 2 and 5
- 43Overflowinglines 3 and 5
- 60Thriftlines 4 and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1 and 6
- 21Bitinglines 2 and 6
- 14Wealthlines 3 and 6
- 41Decreaselines 4 and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.