I Ching hexagram
7. Discipline
師Shī
Earth over Water
Also called The Army, The Symbol of Multitude and of Army, Legions/ Leading, The Troops, Collective Force, Discipline, Soldiers, Group Action, A Disciplined Multitude, Ego Discipline, Willpower "Can refer to mourning but its essential meaning is Discipline." -- D.F. Hook
Hexagram 7, Discipline (師 Shī) is formed by Earth over Water. It is also known as The Army, The Symbol of Multitude and of Army, Legions/ Leading, The Troops, Collective Force, Soldiers, Group Action, A Disciplined Multitude.
Legge
Read as
The judgment
Legge
貞，丈人吉，无咎。
Discipline indicates that with firm correctness and a leader of age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.
The six lines
line 1 is at the bottom
- Line 1Yin
師出以律，否臧凶。
Before acting, ensure that your intentions are valuable; otherwise, you may struggle to sustain yourself. Also, make sure everything is organized. Without order, chaos and misfortune will follow. Discipline is essential here.
- Line 2Yang
在師中，吉无咎，王三錫命。
You are well-placed to communicate effectively with others. This favorable situation will bring you good fortune and recognition from those in authority.
- Line 3Yin
師或輿尸，凶。
There is a lack of vision and leadership. Whether due to conflicting goals or inept leadership, the result is misfortune.
- Line 4Yin
師左次，无咎。
The challenges ahead are overwhelming. Fighting against them is futile. The wise choice is to retreat.
- Line 5Yin
田有禽，利執言，无咎。長子帥師，弟子輿尸，貞凶。
Depend on someone experienced to help rectify the situation. They should remain calm and not overreact, as this could lead to misfortune. Those who are inexperienced and overly eager are not suited for the role of careful and controlled leadership at this time.
- Line 6Yin
大君有命，開國承家，小人勿用。
You have reached your goal. As you settle into the new circumstances, ensure that your priorities align with meaningful values. Assign inferior people and ideas to their rightful places and do not allow them a say in your matters.
When this hexagram changes
These are the moves that have come up most often in readings. Each page keeps the book text.
Use this hexagram in a reading
These are the same judgment and lines that appear when hexagram 7 comes up in a cast. Ask a question to see which lines change, or keep a journal of your readings. The throw uses the odds of three coins: how a reading is cast.