ASK ROASTIE

BAD ADVICE. GOOD TIMING.

HEXAGRAM 7 OF 64 EARTH OVER WATER

THE ARMY

師 Shī

the army, discipline, leadership, organized force, a just cause

ROASTIE

The Army. Water under the Earth, discipline and a seasoned leader. The book thinks you're mobilizing a force for a just cause. You're organizing a group trip. Four people have dropped out, one is "maybe," and the just cause is a brunch reservation you'll lose anyway. Ya roasted!

THE JUDGMENT

Firm correctness and a seasoned leader; then there is good fortune and no mistake.

THE LINES, BOTTOM TO TOP

  1. Line 1 The army must march out in good order; without it, even success is misfortune.
  2. Line 2 In the midst of the army, good fortune and no mistake; the king bestows his favor three times.
  3. Line 3 The army might end up carrying corpses in its wagons; misfortune.
  4. Line 4 The army retreats and makes camp; in retreat, no mistake.
  5. Line 5 Game in the fields; hunting it is right, no mistake. The eldest son leads; if the younger lead, corpses and misfortune.
  6. Line 6 The great ruler hands out commands, founding states and establishing families; small men must not be employed.
THROW YOUR OWN ALL SIXTY-FOUR

Text: the I Ching, after James Legge's 1882 translation, public domain, trimmed into plain English. The take: a coffee bean, licensed in nothing.