师
GUA 07 · SHI
THE MILITIA
Overall Image (大象)
Within the earth there is water
The militia
The noble young one, accordingly,
Is tolerant towards the people
And cares for the multitude▼
Overall Image (大象)
Within the earth there is water
The militia
The noble young one, accordingly,
Is tolerant towards the people
And cares for the multitude
A wealth of hidden reserves, like water deep in the ground. The land might seem dry, but the harvest’s potential is already here. The people might seem defenseless, but more dangerous arms and armor are cached close at hand, awaiting the rallying cry. A wise leader will nourish his people and help them to train their abilities, holding most of their resources hidden and most of their strength in reserve as able, healthy, good-hearted people. But as they are called upon, a number of forms can be filled on demand: liquidity becomes solidarity. The wrong leader will keep them standing, out in the open, divided and conquered, unaware of problems and tyrants at home.
Main Judgment (The militia*) (卦辞)
Persistence
A mature person’s good fortune
No blame▼
Main Judgment (The militia*) (卦辞)
Persistence
A mature person’s good fortune
No blame
Imagine the perfect village, peaceful and prosperous, from a bandit’s point of view. To the extent that life is good it may need to be defended, safe in its many scenarios, with resources, means and wherewithal arranged for multiple uses, ready to adapt, with both strength and wealth secured by a healthy diversity. But all of this attention paid to being secure is best if gone when not needed, leaving only a small contingent of vigilant ones to watch the gates and horizons, set to emerge in emergencies only, and not just standing by, rattling swords. To have one of merit on point, one worthy to call upon loyalties, means the difference between militia and mob. There are long standing reasons why there will not be one vote for each man here, why merit leads when life is at stake. Who would be eager to kill, or ready to die for the cause when life itself is the cause? Would that all states were ad hoc like this and sunset all laws when done and go home. This can refer to one person as well, a mature one taken as model, a pool of resources, a population of selves, the readiness of a one’s reserves to meet the time’s conditions. Persistence means discipline and discipline, maturity.
Key Words (关键词)
Ready reserves, liquidity, solvency, mobile and fungible assets, resourcefulness▼
Key Words (关键词)
Ready reserves, liquidity, solvency, mobile and fungible assets, resourcefulness
Interdependence, collective force, strength in numbers, coalition, solidarity, allies Instruction, discipline, training, regimen; planning for contingency, preparedness Hedging, strategic security, expedience; chain of command based on merit or skill Guardians, host; multiple uses of resources, the masses used as reservoir or pool A defensive army disguised as a people, an ad hoc army or a grass-roots militia
Structure & Connections
Structure Class
No Family
This classification indicates the hexagram's role in the 12 Sovereign Cycle (Earthly Branches) or its structural family.
Astrology
note:Luna in Earth
planet:Moon
element:Earth
Tarot
card:Nine of Pentacles
suit:Pentacles
Qabalah
note:Yesod in Assiah
sphere:Yesod
The Lines
11st • YangThe militia sets out according to codes
To deny good order is unfortunate▼
1
1st • YangThe militia sets out according to codes
To deny good order is unfortunate
07.1x The militia sets out according to codes:
To forget the codes (is) unfortunate
With a few coded toots on the company’s horn, the militia comes running to rally, scythes swapped for swords, robes changed for armor. Fitness and readiness both have been maintained. Each man has his special skill and priorities ready. The tactics and strategies are by now second nature. Logistics all have their numbers, for faster communication. The regimens and protocols keep the rhythm and cadence. This is no free for all: there are orders and chains of command here. Even the martial artists and warriors, while not pawns, are disciples, instructed to function as one with some mythical sort of hive mind. With all this enacted by one simple code, it would not do to let the bugle boy toot his own tune, however rousing and peppy. He has trained to not be himself now. One can only hope that the raiders do not know the music.
22nd • YangAt the heart of the militia
Promising
Not a mistake
The sovereign three times grants commissions▼
2
2nd • YangAt the heart of the militia
Promising
Not a mistake
The sovereign three times grants commissions
07.2x At the heart of the militia (is) promise:
Upholding heaven’s favor
* The sovereign three times grants commissions:
Embracing the myriad realms
The general’s tent is pitched in the midst of the hum and he takes the time to listen. His command radiates from the center instead of the top, and what respect that he commands serves him in place of awe. The general is the one who has the broadest of freedoms, the widest knowledge and the fewest restrictions. And this is why he is called the general, instead of the specific. The best have a mystical breadth, the least might lay claim to a heavenly sanction. The general must understand all of the foes. The one who does nothing else but grease the chariots’ axles needs someone who connects him with the one who supplies the grease. The specialist will fall in the first general battle if there is no such coordination. Wise leaders will know how soldiers behave, follow the way things unfold and shorten the lines of supply and command.
33rd • YangA militia likely to transport fatalities
Brutal▼
3
3rd • YangA militia likely to transport fatalities
Brutal
07.3x A militia likely to transport fatalities:
Wholly lacking in merit
The militia marches dauntlessly on, but the battle wagons are too full already, with the casualties and corpses. Of course one expects to see soldiers wounded or dead in a war, but they have not met the enemy yet. In estimating their strength they don’t calculate well. Yes, they can deal out horror and death, but this was the friendly fire. This is just not passing muster. Perhaps the multitude has taken the leadership over. Perhaps their leaders are so idle-headed that the masses might as well be self-ruled. Maybe they can all take a vote now on where to go next, or maybe form a committee, or decide they all get to ride in the wagons. Foes could stay home and still win a war of attrition, then show up to fix up the farms and care for the widows and daughters. The higher grades of advancement are open now, but this means someone to blame.
44th • YangThe militia’s fallback encampment
Not a mistake▼
4
4th • YangThe militia’s fallback encampment
Not a mistake
07.4x A fallback encampment is not a mistake:
Still not neglecting the principles
This does not look like business as usual. The militia sends out its party of scouts, who come back pale and trembling, all full of stories and chatter. The foes do not look like people, their smiles melt stones at a distance, even their dwarves are two meters tall. The retreat is sounded in whispers. If this were a standing army, with its standing orders and targets, things might be a lot harder, with no getting free from last week’s plans and ideas. The militia can disengage and think twice, and be more afraid to look dead than foolish, and win a truly great victory in simply remaining alive. Already there is talk of a great new alliance, but first is more talk of remaining invisible, advancing in other directions, assuming no postures, making no gestures or taunts. At least some more information is needed and room in which to review it.
55th • YangThe hunt takes captives
Worthwhile to manage the talking
Avoid error
The elder son captains the militia
The younger son transports fatalities
Constancy is inauspicious▼
5
5th • YangThe hunt takes captives
Worthwhile to manage the talking
Avoid error
The elder son captains the militia
The younger son transports fatalities
Constancy is inauspicious
07.5x The elder son captains the militia:
According to tempered action
* The younger son transports fatalities:
A commission would not be appropriate
The game is afoot and thus the hunt becomes war games. Wild pigs and birds have invaded the field. To put the young son in charge now is to bring on the slaughter, but get, in the process, a three-week supply of leather and bacon or poultry and eggs. The quicker reaction is noisy and hasty. The wiser response will look at the time and big picture. The elder son, as captain, will plan a strategic defense, will manage this invasion as though it were a campaign, and summon the swineherds instead of the butchers and give the militia a herd and a flock, to manage for the next generations. War is often called the Dao of abnormality. It is waged with the unexpected. In the predictable are the pitfalls: one arms with the crafty surprises. The young son knows no such big bag of tricks. The elder has the repertoire, the commanding information.
6Top • YangThe seasoned noble assumes the mandate,
Establishes domains and recognizes ruling families
Lesser people will not be used▼
6
Top • YangThe seasoned noble assumes the mandate,
Establishes domains and recognizes ruling families
Lesser people will not be used
07.6x The seasoned noble assumes the mandate:
By right (of) merit
*Lesser people will not be used:
(They would) certainly confuse the domain
The battles are over and won; the weapons and armor are returned to the cache; the militia is disbanded, debriefed and sent home. The losses are tallied and not found severe and all of the due adjustments made. Reconstruction gets underway, and from the sound of things, the newborns will soon outnumber the graves. The prince takes back his command from the general’s most capable hands. But in this time while the wounds are still fresh and bleeding, the prince and the general will talk. The terrible price has been paid, lessons bought dearly with lives and in blood. The two will now squeeze all the growth that they can from this cost. Those of proven valor and skill will be granted power and land. Those who tried to help, but did not, still risked their lives for the cause and are honored with coin and gratitude. Life is still for learning.
Reference in Original Text & Resources
This content is derived from Bradford Hatcher's THE BOOK OF CHANGES: Yijing, Word By Word.
Original text for Hexagram 7 begins on Page 102-110.
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