What this change means
Water stands over fire as the third, fourth and fifth lines move, and the restless thunder seems to reach a finish. With three lines, both judgments carry the meaning. Shock asks for calm and control in the face of the unexpected, the kind that lets you succeed where others lose their nerve. The resulting hexagram, 63 After the End, describes a passing success: things seem to go your way, and stagnation tends to follow at the end. The two together say that steadiness is needed even when things look settled. Don't relax completely once the shaking stops. Enjoy what's working, but think ahead to the slowdown and prepare for it now, so you can soften its effects. The composure you used in the storm is just as useful after it, when everyone else lets their guard down.
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 63 After the End
You're in a situation where you'll have a passing success: everything seems to be in your favor, and at the end comes a period of stagnation. If you prepare for it ahead of time, you'll be able to soften its effects.
Success in small things. Constancy is favorable. At first, good fortune; in the end, disorder.
- 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 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.
The trigrams
The way back
63 After the End → 51 Shocklines 3, 4, 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
- 43Overflowinglines 2, 3, and 5
- 8Unionlines 1, 4, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 2, 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.