What this change means
Thunder upon thunder: four lines move, and both Heavens break into shaking. The counsel lies in what stays fixed in the resulting hexagram, 51 Shock: its first and fourth lines. The first says you see what's coming before it happens; that makes you worry early, but also sends you looking for solutions, so when others panic, you're already working. The fourth says you can't see clearly what's holding you back, so your efforts don't settle things, and it's time to wait for conditions to change. So stay composed when the unexpected hits. Use your early warning to prepare. Where you're stuck and can't see why, stop flailing and wait. Keeping calm while others are frightened tends to be what lets you succeed where they don't. Look inward, steady yourself, and let the noise pass.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 51 Shock, which stays still
You see what's coming before it happens. That makes you worry ahead of time, but it also sets you looking for solutions, so when others start to worry, you'll already be focused on solving things.
Thunder comes, and there is dread; afterward, laughter and easy talk. Good fortune.
- Line 4 of 51 Shock, which stays still
You can't see clearly what's holding you back, so the things you do don't settle matters. It's a time to wait until conditions change.
Thunder sinks into the mud.
- The judgment of 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
- Line 2 of 1 Activity
It's time to talk with the people who can help you.
The dragon shows itself in the field. It is favorable to see the great person.
- Line 3 of 1 Activity
Things are working, yet you worry for no apparent reason.
The noble person strives and strives all day long, and at nightfall is still watchful. Danger. No fault.
- Line 5 of 1 Activity
What you undertake brings good results, and help is there if you ask for it.
The dragon flies in the sky. It is favorable to see the great person.
- Line 6 of 1 Activity
Pride may be your worst enemy right now.
A dragon that climbs too high. There is regret.
- The judgment of 51 Shock
When unexpected situations come along that would frighten others, keep control and act calmly, without losing your composure. This attitude will get you results in what you want and let you succeed where others fail.
Success. Thunder comes, and there is dread; then laughter and easy talk. The thunder alarms a hundred leagues around, yet neither the ladle nor the sacrificial wine is let fall.
The trigrams
The way back
51 Shock → 1 Activitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Activity
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 39Held Backlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.