Transformation · lines 2, 3, and 4
Success in Small Matters becomes The Army
What this change means
Three lines in the middle of the figure change, and water gathers inside the earth, a reserve held in order. The two judgments carry equal weight here. The starting hexagram calls for small achievements and cautions against outrunning your present resources. The resulting hexagram, 7 The Army, says the favorable answer comes from discipline and organization: face the situation head-on, speak clearly and say what you want, without trying to impose it. The link between them is order on a modest scale. You don't need a grand campaign, but you do need structure, clarity and a firm hand on what's yours to manage. Organize your resources, set out your aims plainly, and act within what you can actually sustain. Discipline here keeps a small effort from scattering, and it keeps a firm stance from turning into force.
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 62 Success in Small Matters
This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great 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.
- Line 2 of 62 Success in Small Matters
Recognizing your limitations right now and focusing on small achievements will bear fruit.
Passes the grandfather and meets the grandmother; does not reach the lord and meets the minister. No fault.
- Line 3 of 62 Success in Small Matters
Carelessness and excess bring trouble.
Unless one goes beyond in guarding oneself, someone following will do harm. Misfortune.
- Line 4 of 62 Success in Small Matters
It's not the time to act, but it is the time to stand firm, without straying from your purposes, until the time to act arrives.
No fault. Without going beyond, it meets it. Going is dangerous: be on guard. Do not act with lasting constancy.
The trigrams
The way back
7 The Army → 62 Success in Small Matterslines 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Success in Small Matters
- 54A Subordinate Rolelines 1, 2, and 3
- 11Well-Beinglines 1, 2, and 4
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 3, and 4
- 43Overflowinglines 1, 2, and 5
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 3, and 5
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 3, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 1, 4, and 5
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 4, and 5
- 8Unionlines 3, 4, and 5
- 14Wealthlines 1, 2, and 6
- 21Bitinglines 1, 3, and 6
- 64Transitionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 4, and 6
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 4, and 6
- 23The Falllines 3, 4, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 5, and 6
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 5, and 6
- 12Declinelines 3, 5, and 6
- 53Gradual Progresslines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.