What this change means
Four lines move, and thunder above and below becomes pure heaven. The still lines of the resulting hexagram carry the reading. In 1 Activity, new beginnings flourish, and you have the qualities to carry a project through to success. Its first line, though, says the time to act hasn't come. Its fourth line puts a choice in front of you: go on, or stop, and decide which you really want. The shaking has filled you with creative energy, but the timing matters. Don't spend it on reflex. First let things settle and gather your strength; then make a clear choice about direction. Energy without a decision behind it tends to scatter; energy that waits for its moment tends to build. Grow strong without rushing, and once you've chosen, keep going.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 1 Activity, which stays still
It's not yet time to act.
A dragon under the water. Do not act.
- Line 4 of 1 Activity, which stays still
It's time to decide whether you want to keep moving forward or stop.
Perhaps it leaps in the abyss. 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.
- 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.
- 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 1 Activity
The creative principle. Activity. New beginnings, flourishing, and the qualities you need to carry any undertaking or project through to success.
Great success. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
1 Activity → 51 Shocklines 2, 3, 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
- 20Observinglines 1, 4, 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.