What this change means
Thunder doubled, above and below: four lines move, and the quiet climb turns into a time of shaking. In this case the guidance lies with the fifth and sixth lines of the resulting hexagram, 51 Shock, which stay still. The fifth says obstacles may seem to come one after another, but staying connected to your center and true to your purpose keeps you from losses. The sixth names the real enemy as a lack of calm: picking up the worry in the air over things that don't actually touch you. Step away from that atmosphere, return to your center, and things settle. Coming from Going Up, this means your progress may be jolted, and the noise around you may be louder than the actual danger. Don't let other people's alarm steer you. Hold your aim, keep your composure, and keep climbing once the dust clears.
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 51 Shock, which stays still
Obstacles come one after another and seem endless. Still, staying connected to your center and true to your purpose will keep you from losses.
Thunder going and coming: danger. Of much, nothing is lost; there is a duty to carry out.
- 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 46 Going Up
You're in a time of rising, and this rise is the fruit of work you've done with dedication. Seeking the help of an important person will bring great success; don't be afraid of that meeting, because everything is favorable now.
Great success. Seeing the great person is of use. Do not worry. Setting out southward brings good fortune.
- Line 1 of 46 Going Up
You're only beginning to rise, but if you do it with confidence you'll get what you want.
An ascent that is welcomed. Great good fortune.
- Line 2 of 46 Going Up
If your words are sincere and you keep good manners in your dealings with others, you'll succeed.
If there is sincere trust, it is favorable to make the simple offering. No fault.
- Line 3 of 46 Going Up
It's important to make the most of this time of rising while it lasts and to work toward your goals.
Ascends into an empty city.
- Line 4 of 46 Going Up
This is a time when you'll reach your goals and gain fame and recognition.
The king makes an offering on Mount Qi. Good fortune. 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 → 46 Going Uplines 1, 2, 3, and 4
Other transformations of Going Up
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 45Meetinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 35Advancelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 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.