Hexagram 7Upper Kun · EarthLower Kan · Water

Shi · The Army

师卦 · 地水师

Organisation
Discipline
Leading a team
Coordination

The Judgment

Sze indicates how, in the case which it supposes, with firmness and correctness, and (a leader of) age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.

贞，丈人吉，无咎。

The Image

Water within the earth: the army. The noble one, in the same way, embraces the people and gathers the many.

地中有水，师。君子以容民畜众。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

You are facing something that can only be done by organising people and coordinating resources. Shi is the image of an army: many people, many tasks, many stakeholders. Going it alone is no longer enough. You need clear roles, rules and a leader people trust.

Where to put your effort

Make sure your purpose is legitimate and your goal is clear; a team without rules will eventually fall apart. Put the right people in the right places and let experienced, capable people lead. Lead with generosity and room for others. After the hard work is done, reward people fairly, and do not let opportunists take advantage.

Four areas of life

Career: Be tolerant of others; cultivate yourself and wait.
Wealth: You have wealth and reserves; treasure them.
Family: A marriage between old family friends; cause for celebration.
Health: Bloating; regulating your energy will clear it.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Six at the beginningThe first line, divided, shows the host going forth according to the rules (for such a movement). If these be not good, there will be evil.Moving

初六：师出以律，否臧，凶。

Image：The army sets out under discipline: without discipline, misfortune.

Career: Seeking success the wrong way ends in humiliation.
Wealth: Shipping trade goes well if it is fair.
Family: Run the household by clear rules, or trouble follows.
Health: Chills more than fever; see a doctor early.

Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows (the leader) in the midst of the host. There will be good fortune and no error. The king has thrice conveyed to him the orders (of his favour).Moving

九二：在师中，吉无咎，王三锡命。

Image：In the midst of the army, good fortune: favoured by heaven. The king rewards him three times: caring for all the nations.

Career: Outstanding talent that is highly valued.
Wealth: Superior strategy; leadership brings profit.
Family: Respected by the neighbours; auspicious for marriage.
Health: Get your circulation moving and the illness eases.

Six in the third placeThe third line, divided, shows how the host may, possibly, have many inefficient leaders. There will be evil.Moving

六三：师或舆尸，凶。

Image：The army may carry corpses: a great failure.

Career: A position without the character for it leads to misfortune.
Wealth: Goods wasted and money lost; very risky.
Family: No peace at home; be careful.
Health: A very grave sign.

Six in the fourth placeThe fourth line, divided, shows the host in retreat. There is no error.Moving

六四：师左次，无咎。

Image：Retreating to camp brings no blame: one has not lost the proper way.

Career: Not a good time for advancement; do not daydream.
Wealth: Second-grade goods can still turn a profit.
Family: Southwest is favourable; marrying into the spouse's family brings no blame.
Health: As spring energy returns, the illness can heal.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, shows birds in the fields, which it will be advantageous to seize (and destroy). In that case there will be no error. If the oldest son leads the host, and younger men (idly occupy offices assigned to them), however firm and correct he may be, there will be evil.Moving

六五：田有禽，利执言，无咎。长子帅师，弟子舆尸，贞凶。

Image：The eldest son leads the army: acting from the centre. The younger ones carry corpses: the wrong people were put in charge.

Career: Character must outweigh talent, or there is danger.
Wealth: Experience and maturity bring profit.
Family: Good for the eldest son; a marriage made through a matchmaker.
Health: Running keeps you fit.

Six at the topThe topmost line, divided, shows the great ruler delivering his charges, (appointing some) to be rulers of states, and others to undertake the headship of clans; but small men should not be employed (in such positions).Moving

上六：大君有命，开国承家，小人勿用。

Image：The great ruler gives orders: to reward merit fairly. Do not use petty people: they will surely bring chaos.

Career: Rewards follow merit; do not act like a petty person.
Wealth: Wealth leads to status; beware of schemers.
Family: The family prospers; a respected person acts as matchmaker.
Health: Exercise normally.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

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