損 → 師
Hexagram 41: Decrease → Hexagram 7: The Army
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 1, 6).
Line 1
初九 已事遄往。无咎。酌損之。
Nine at the beginning means: Going quickly when one's tasks are finished Is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.
Line 6
上九 弗損益之。无咎。貞吉。利有攸往。得臣无家。
Nine at the top means: If one is increased without depriving others, There is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. One obtains servants But no longer has a separate home.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
旦往暮還，相佑與聚，无有凶患。
Departing at dawn, returning at dusk; helping and gathering together, free from misfortune and calamity.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Mountain above lake gives way to earth above water — the Army marshaled in disciplined reserve. Going forth at dawn, returning by dusk, companions aid and gather together: no misfortune befalls. The verse describes a daily rhythm of cooperative labor and mutual support, a community that works outward during the day and draws inward at night. From Decrease to the Army, the lake's voluntary self-emptying becomes water contained within earth — latent power held in collective discipline. The simplicity of the verse mirrors the simplicity of the Army's principle: water within earth sustains the multitude. By decreasing individual ambition and gathering together, the community eliminates danger through solidarity rather than force.
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