What this change means
The fourth line is thunder that sinks into the mud. Its energy goes nowhere, and that's how this moment can feel: you can't see clearly what's holding you back, so whatever you try doesn't settle anything. The upper Thunder turns to Earth, and the line's advice is to wait until conditions change rather than wear yourself out pushing. The resulting hexagram, 24 Coming Back, shows what the waiting is for. After a stretch of adversity, things turn and begin to come back, and people may appear to help. But stay aware of the mistakes that led you into the mud, because repeating them can drop you there again. Use the pause to understand what got you stuck. When the ground firms up, you'll move with fewer wasted steps and a better sense of where to put your feet.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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.
- 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 24 Coming Back
After a period of adversity and darkness, the return comes. Still, be aware of the mistakes that led you into the dark, because if you repeat them you could fall again. People will come to help you, and your undertakings and projects will be favored.
Success. Going out and coming in without harm; friends arrive, no fault. Back and forth along its way: in seven days comes the return. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The trigrams
The way back
24 Coming Back → 51 Shockline 4
Other transformations of Shock
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.