What this change means
Wind moves over the earth as four lines change: the first, fourth, fifth and top. The counsel comes from the pair of lines that don't move in the new figure. In 20 Observing, look before you act; you inspire others right now, and you also need to watch those who inspire you. Its second line warns that subjective perception keeps you on the surface, far from the heart of the matter. Its third line says that observing yourself, along with the signs from outside, gives you a full picture and lets you decide whether to advance or pull back. So after the shaking, don't react on impulse. Step back and look widely, inward and outward, and let a clear view make the decision.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 20 Observing, which stays still
If your perception is subjective, you'll stay on the surface and never reach the heart of the situation.
Peeking through a crack. A woman's constancy is favorable.
- Line 3 of 20 Observing, which stays still
Observing yourself, along with the signs coming from outside, will give you a full view of the situation and let you decide whether to advance or pull back.
Contemplating my own life: advancing or withdrawing.
- 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.
- Line 1 of 51 Shock
You see what's coming before it happens. That makes you worry ahead of time, but it also sets you looking for solutions, so when others start to worry, you'll already be focused on solving things.
Thunder comes, and there is dread; afterward, laughter and easy talk. Good fortune.
- Line 4 of 51 Shock
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 5 of 51 Shock
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
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 20 Observing
Observe before you act. Right now you're a source of inspiration for others, and at the same time you need to observe those who inspire you. This will let things unfold at the right moment, and perfectly.
Hands washed, the offering not yet made. There is sincere trust, solemn and grave.
The trigrams
The way back
20 Observing → 51 Shocklines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Shock
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 39Held Backlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 37The Tribelines 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.