What this change means
The lake rises above heaven, swollen, as the second, third and fifth lines move. With three lines, both judgments carry the reading. From Shock comes the call to stay level when the unexpected frightens everyone, and to act without losing your footing. The resulting hexagram, 43 Overflowing, warns of excessive buildup, situations about to spill over and overwhelm you, personally and in your relationships. What's happening needs to come into the open, but not in blunt words; choose them carefully so you don't provoke reactions, and act generously to lower the tension. The composure of Shock is what makes that possible. Speak from calm, not from alarm, and the pressure can be released without a break. Watch for the moment when your own nerves would turn a necessary conversation into a confrontation.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 judgment of 43 Overflowing
It's a time of excessive buildup: some situations are about to get out of control and overwhelm you, both personally and in your relationships. You need to bring what's happening into the open, but without speaking about it directly; watch your words so you don't provoke reactions. It's a time to act generously to ease the tension that's there.
It is proclaimed in the king's court. A sincere cry: there is danger. Word comes from one's own city. It is not favorable to take up arms. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 2 of 51 Shock
Situations may come up that seem hard to face, and you may even suffer losses. There's nothing to fear: what you lose you'll get back, and you'll be on the path of achievement again.
Thunder comes: danger. Countless cowries are lost; one climbs the nine hills. Do not chase them: in seven days they are found.
- Line 3 of 51 Shock
The blows you're taking right now aren't caused by fate. They come more from within, and that makes things harder. Once you realize this, you'll make the corrections and resolve the situation.
Thunder that stuns and stuns. If thunder sets one going, no disaster.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
43 Overflowing → 51 Shocklines 2, 3, and 5
Other transformations of Shock
- 32What Lastslines 1, 2, and 3
- 7The Armylines 1, 2, and 4
- 15Simplicitylines 1, 3, and 4
- 11Well-Beinglines 2, 3, and 4
- 47Overwhelmedlines 1, 2, and 5
- 31Attractionlines 1, 3, and 5
- 8Unionlines 1, 4, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 2, 4, and 5
- 63After the Endlines 3, 4, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 1, 2, and 6
- 56The Travelerlines 1, 3, and 6
- 14Wealthlines 2, 3, and 6
- 23The Falllines 1, 4, and 6
- 41Decreaselines 2, 4, and 6
- 22Good Mannerslines 3, 4, and 6
- 12Declinelines 1, 5, and 6
- 10Treading Carefullylines 2, 5, and 6
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 3, 5, and 6
- 42Increaselines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.