Transformation · lines 2, 5, and 6
Treading Carefully becomes Shock
What this change means
Thunder upon thunder: the second, fifth and top lines move, and the quiet steps past the tiger are interrupted by a jolt. With three lines changing, the two judgments share the weight. Treading Carefully speaks of a hard situation crossed safely by gentle, alert conduct, which can turn rivals into allies. The resulting hexagram, 51 Shock, describes unexpected events that would frighten others; the call is to keep control and act calmly, without losing composure, and that attitude can let you succeed where others fail. Together they say that careful conduct also means steady nerves. When the surprise comes, don't panic or lash out. Breathe, look, and respond with the same gentleness and awareness you've been practicing. Composure in a shock is what earns respect, and it keeps the danger from growing.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- The judgment of 10 Treading Carefully
You're facing a difficult situation. If you know how to conduct yourself properly, moving with awareness and gentleness, even people who could be rivals and stand in your way will give ground, and may even become your allies.
Stepping on the tiger's tail; it does not bite. Success.
- 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.
- Line 2 of 10 Treading Carefully
Staying on your own with your projects, for now, will lead you to success.
Treading a level, open road. For one who lives apart, constancy brings good fortune.
- Line 5 of 10 Treading Carefully
If you're aware of the danger in going ahead and you act with caution, you'll succeed.
A resolute step. Constancy is in danger.
- Line 6 of 10 Treading Carefully
If you watch for the favorable signs to know when to act, and then act decisively, you'll succeed.
Looking back over the steps taken, examining the signs. If it turns back on itself: great good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
51 Shock → 10 Treading Carefullylines 2, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Treading Carefully
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, and 3
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, and 4
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 3, and 4
- 37The Tribelines 2, 3, and 4
- 35Advancelines 1, 2, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 3, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 2, 3, and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 4, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 4, and 5
- 26Great Achievementslines 3, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 1, 3, and 6
- 49Renewallines 2, 3, and 6
- 29Waterlines 1, 4, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 2, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 5, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 3, 5, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.