What this change means
Both Fire trigrams become Thunder as the third and top lines move: the steady light is replaced by one jolt after another. Leading is the top line, which links success to admitting a misstep and repairing it where it began. The third line, at the setting sun, warns against being swept along by life's ups and downs; stay centered within, whatever happens outside. The resulting hexagram, 51 Shock, describes unexpected situations that would frighten others, and asks you to keep control and act calmly. That composure lets you succeed where others fail. So the shocks are a test of your center. Don't panic and don't lament. Use each jolt to look inward and correct what needs correcting. Calm, searching attention turns a frightening moment into a chance to set things right.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 30 The Flame
If you recognize the mistakes in what you've done and make the corrections needed, you'll succeed.
The king sets out on campaign. There is merit: the chief's head is cut off, and the captives are not the chief's own people. No fault.
- Line 3 of 30 The Flame
Don't get swept along by life's ups and downs. Standing firm, centered within yourself whatever the outside circumstances, ensures achievement.
The radiance of the setting sun. If no one beats the clay pot and sings, there comes the lament of great old age. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 30 The Flame
There's clarity in what you do: your inner self guides you toward your goals. A generous attitude helps you, one that leads you to share your light, and this will increase your gains and achievements.
Constancy is favorable. Success. Raising a cow brings good fortune.
- 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 → 30 The Flamelines 3 and 6
Other transformations of The Flame
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1 and 2
- 35Advancelines 1 and 3
- 38Oppositeslines 2 and 3
- 52Abidinglines 1 and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 2 and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 3 and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1 and 5
- 1Activitylines 2 and 5
- 25Innocencelines 3 and 5
- 37The Tribelines 4 and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1 and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2 and 6
- 36Darknesslines 4 and 6
- 49Renewallines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.