I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 26 with Changing Lines 1, 3, 6 to Hexagram 7
Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 26.1.3.6 -> 7
26. Great Accumulation (大畜 Dà Chù)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
- Below
- ☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative
The Symbolism of Hexagram 26
Hexagram 大畜 (Dà Chù) describes the containment of great force. Strength is not expressed outwardly but held, stored, and disciplined until the proper moment.
Hexagram 26 Judgment
大畜，利貞。不家食，吉。利涉大川。
(Dà chù, lì zhēn. Bù jiā shí, jí. Lì shè dà chuān.)
"Great accumulation. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned. Not eating at home brings favorable outcome. It is favorable to undertake a major transition."
Power is being gathered and restrained. Alignment ensures that what is accumulated remains usable and not destructive.
Not eating at home indicates reliance on a larger order rather than personal reserves. When strength is properly contained, it becomes possible to undertake significant movement.
Hexagram 26 Image
天在山中，大畜。君子以多識前言往行，以畜其德。
(Tiān zài shān zhōng, dà chù. Jūn zǐ yǐ duō shí qián yán wǎng xíng, yǐ chù qí dé.)
"Heaven is held within the mountain: great accumulation. The superior person learns from many past words and deeds and stores up virtue."
Heaven represents immense force; the mountain contains it. This is not suppression, but structured holding.
Through study and reflection, strength is accumulated internally and made stable.
Line 1 Changing
有厲，利已。
(Yǒu lì, lì yǐ.)
"Risk present. It is favorable to stop."
Force is present but not yet stable. Acting prematurely introduces risk.
Halting preserves what is being accumulated.
Line 3 Changing
良馬逐，利艱貞。曰閑輿衛，利有攸往。
(Liáng mǎ zhú, lì jiān zhēn. Yuē xián yú wèi, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
"Strong horses move forward. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned through difficulty. Secure the carriage and establish guard; it is favorable to move with direction."
Power is now active but must be controlled. Movement is possible, but only with discipline.
Structure and protection must be established before proceeding.
Line 6 Changing
何天之衢，亨。
(Hé tiān zhī qú, hēng.)
"At the crossroads of heaven, there is smooth progress."
Accumulation and restraint are complete. The stored force can now move without obstruction.
Because it has been properly contained, release leads to clear and effective progress.
Changing to:
7. The Army (師 Shī)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
- Below
- ☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth
The Symbolism of Hexagram 7
Hexagram 師 (Shī) concerns the organization of forces under discipline and command. It represents coordinated effort guided by structure, responsibility, and leadership. Strength here does not arise from aggression, but from order, cohesion, and the proper use of authority.
Hexagram 7 Judgment
师贞，丈人吉，无咎。
(Shī zhēn, zhàng rén jí, wú jiù.)
"The host is set in order through correct alignment. An experienced authority brings favorable outcome. There is no error."
This judgment emphasizes that a collective force must be grounded in discipline and guided by maturity. Success does not come from force alone, but from leadership that is steady, seasoned, and capable of directing others properly.
When authority is rightly held and exercised with responsibility, the undertaking proceeds without blame.
Hexagram 7 Image
地中有水，師。君子以容民畜众。
(Dì zhōng yǒu shuǐ, shī. Jūn zǐ yǐ róng mín xù zhòng.)
"Water gathers within the earth: the army. The superior person supports the people and brings together the multitude."
Water stored within the earth suggests latent strength held in reserve. The image points to the importance of nurturing and organizing people before any action is taken.
True leadership lies in gathering and sustaining others, creating unity and readiness rather than relying on force alone.
Peace and wisdom on your journey!
With gratitude,
The I Ching Team