What this change means
Thunder upon thunder: the second and sixth lines move, both trigrams become Thunder, and the figure is 51 Shock. The top line leads. In isolation you may misread friends as threats and nearly turn on them, but the confusion clears with time, and union with kindred people brings success. The second line adds a path: reach those like-minded people through skillful, even unusual, routes. The resulting hexagram asks you to stay calm and composed when the unexpected arrives, keeping control where others would panic. So expect some jolts. A sudden event may shake your sense of who's on your side. Don't react on the spot. Breathe, check, and let your composure guide you. Then use whatever back roads you can find to reconnect with your real allies. Calm under surprise is your strongest asset now.
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 38 Opposites
Isolation leads you into a moment of confusion where you don't recognize friends or allies; you're even about to attack them. But little by little the confusion clears, and joining with like-minded people will bring you success.
Alone in opposition: sees a pig covered in mud, a cart loaded with ghosts. First the bow is drawn; then it is set down. Not a raider: a wedding party. If on the way the rain comes, good fortune.
- Line 2 of 38 Opposites
You can reach agreements with people like you whom you're not in touch with, using skillful means to bring those meetings about.
Meets their lord in a back lane. No fault.
- The judgment of 38 Opposites
You're in a situation of opposition: the people around you are different from you, yet you need to share with them. This means that what you can achieve for now is small. Even so, don't give in. It matters that both you and they keep your own nature and contribute from there to a shared project.
In small matters, 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 → 38 Oppositeslines 2 and 6
Other transformations of Opposites
- 35Advancelines 1 and 2
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1 and 3
- 30The Flamelines 2 and 3
- 4Immaturitylines 1 and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 2 and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 3 and 4
- 6Conflictlines 1 and 5
- 25Innocencelines 2 and 5
- 1Activitylines 3 and 5
- 61Inner Integritylines 4 and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1 and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 3 and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 4 and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.