Hexagram 7
The Army
師
Upper
Earth · 坤
the receptive, yielding
Lower
Water · 坎
the abysmal, danger
Contemporary judgment
The army: organized force in the service of a just cause. Success depends on inner discipline and on a leader whose purpose is clear. Without order, strength scatters. Without a worthy aim, even well-organized strength ends in regret.
Image
Water within the earth. Hidden depths brought into formation. The superior person nurtures those around them and builds the strength of the whole.
Counsel
Clarify your purpose before you act. Organize yourself; half-measures fail where whole-hearted ones would succeed. Lead with steadiness rather than charisma, and trust those whose competence you have tested. The right cause held firmly carries many with it.
The six lines
Numbered from the bottom upward; displayed here from first to sixth.
Line 1
A six at the beginning means: An army must set out in order. If the order is not good, misfortune threatens.
Line 2
A nine in the second place means: In the midst of the army! Good fortune! No blame! The king bestows a threefold distinction.
Line 3
A six in the third place means: The army perhaps carries corpses in the wagon. Misfortune!
Line 4
A six in the fourth place means: The army retreats. No blame.
Line 5
A six in the fifth place means: Game is in the field. It is favorable to catch it. No blame. Let the eldest lead the army. The younger carries corpses; there perseverance brings misfortune.
Line 6
A six at the top means: The great prince issues commands, founds states, enfeoffs families. Petty people should not be employed.
Contemporary sections are original app interpretations. Line text comes from the CC0 translation in jesshewitt/i-ching.