What this change means
Fire below the mountain lights its face: the third, fourth and top lines move, and both judgments share the reading. Shock asks for composure when the unexpected arrives, so you can act calmly and get results where others falter. The resulting hexagram, 22 Good Manners, says that courtesy and kindness lead to good results now. What could look superficial at another time is effective at this one. It's a time for everyday matters rather than great undertakings. Together, they turn the aftermath of a scare into a lesson in grace. Keep your nerves in check and treat people well, even when they're rattled. Handle what's in front of you carefully, and save big decisions, especially disputes, for another time. Small kindnesses now do more than bold moves.
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 22 Good Manners
It's a time to be kind and courteous and to use good manners with others if you want good results in what you undertake. What might seem superficial at another time leads you to success now. It's a time to handle everyday matters, not great undertakings.
Success. In small things, it is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- 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 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 trigrams
The way back
22 Good Manners → 51 Shocklines 3, 4, and 6
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
- 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
- 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.