What this change means
Thunder upon thunder as four lines move: the overloaded house is shaken. Guidance comes from the fourth and top lines of 51 Shock, which hold still. The fourth says you can't see clearly what's holding you back, so your actions don't settle anything; it's a time to wait for conditions to change. The top line names the main enemy as a lack of calm, picking up the anxiety in the air over things that don't actually touch you, and says that stepping out of that mood and returning to your center lets things settle. For a hexagram of extraordinary measures, this is a sobering turn. Sometimes the bold act is to stop reacting. Don't let collective panic set your pace. Step back, breathe, wait until you can see the real problem, and then act from steadiness.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- Line 6 of 51 Shock, which stays still
Your main enemy now is a lack of calm: catching the worry that fills the air over situations that aren't affecting you. If you can step away from that atmosphere and return to your center, things will settle.
Thunder, shiver upon shiver; the eyes restless and lost. Setting out brings misfortune. The thunder strikes not oneself but the neighbor: no fault. Over the marriage there will be talk.
- The judgment of 28 Excesses
You're in a situation that calls for extraordinary measures to keep what you've achieved from collapsing. Check and strengthen the foundations that hold up your projects, take innovative action and step out of your comfort zone. That way your success is assured; otherwise, loss can't be avoided.
The ridgepole sags. It is favorable to have somewhere to go. Success.
- Line 1 of 28 Excesses
To carry out an extraordinary project now, start cautiously, checking each step to build good foundations.
Spreading white rushes underneath. No fault.
- Line 2 of 28 Excesses
It's an exceptional time, so the measures must be exceptional too. Your actions should rest on unusual acts that seem small but bring extraordinary results.
The withered poplar puts out shoots. An old man takes a young wife. Nothing that is not favorable.
- Line 3 of 28 Excesses
Acting hastily and not listening to advice will lead you to loss, because in the end no one will want to help you.
The ridgepole sags. Misfortune.
- Line 5 of 28 Excesses
When you focus on strengthening ties with those above you but forget to pay attention to those you lead, your success will be limited.
The withered poplar puts out flowers. An old woman takes a young husband. No fault, no praise.
- 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 → 28 Excesseslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Excesses
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 20Observinglines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 35Advancelines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 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.