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Hexagram 7: The Army

䷆ 師 (Shī) · Disciplined organization. Lead with clear purpose.

discipline, leadership, organization, shared purpose

Lower trigram: Water ☵ · Upper trigram: Earth ☷

The judgment

A group needs direction to get anything done, and that direction must come from someone experienced and trusted. Discipline is necessary, but it holds only when people believe in the aim and in the one who leads. With a just cause and a steady leader, the effort succeeds without harm.

The image

Water held within the earth, like ground water quietly feeding the land. Be generous and patient with people, and their strength gathers around you.

The six lines

Read only the lines that changed in your casting, counting from the bottom.

• Line 1 (bottom): Set out in good order or not at all. A plan that starts in confusion goes badly.
• Line 2: The leader stays among the people and shares their work. This earns trust and recognition, and things go well.
• Line 3: Too many people giving orders, and the effort falters. Muddled leadership brings loss.
• Line 4: The group pulls back. A wise retreat in the face of superior odds is no mistake.
• Line 5: There is real trouble in the field, and it must be dealt with. Let the most experienced person lead; putting the wrong person in charge brings misfortune, however determined they are.
• Line 6 (top): The work is done and rewards are handed out. Be fair, but don't give real power to those who can't carry it.

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