What this change means
A single line moves, the fifth, and the Lake above becomes Thunder: now thunder answers thunder. This is the strongest place in 17 Adapting, and its line is about purpose. When a larger aim drives you, a dream that truly inspires you, you're more likely to get what you're after. The old words are brief: trust in what is good brings good fortune. That trust has to hold under pressure, because the movement leads to 51 Shock, a time when unexpected events come along that would frighten others. The resulting hexagram asks you to keep your composure and act calmly, and that's where the larger purpose earns its keep. People who know why they're doing something are harder to knock off balance. When the jolt comes, return to the dream behind your choices, then respond from there instead of from the fright.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 5 of 17 Adapting
If a larger purpose drives you, a dream that inspires you, you'll get what you want.
Trust in what is good. Good fortune.
- The judgment of 17 Adapting
It's a time both to lead and to follow. If you can see the place life is asking you to take right now, and act genuinely from wherever you belong, you'll gain more leadership and more support for what you do.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. No fault.
- 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 → 17 Adaptingline 5
Other transformations of Adapting
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.