Hexagram 7: The Army

Hexagram 7, The Army (Shī, 师), is formed of the upper trigram Earth (坤) over the lower trigram Water (坎). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Earth describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Water describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of The Army.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 An army must march with discipline; without it, misfortune.师出以律，否臧凶。
• 九二 · Line 2 At the center of the army: good fortune, no blame; the king confers triple honors.在师中吉，无咎；王三锡命。
• 六三 · Line 3 The army carts corpses — misfortune.师或舆尸，凶。
• 六四 · Line 4 The army withdraws to camp. No blame.师左次，无咎。
• 六五 · Line 5 Game in the field: seize it lawfully. Let the seasoned lead; if the unfit command, misfortune.田有禽，利执言，无咎；长子帅师，弟子舆尸，贞凶。
• 上六 · Line 6 The great ruler founds states and houses. Do not employ the petty.大君有命，开国承家，小人勿用。

Reading Hexagram 7 for Your Question

When The Army appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of The Army to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.