What this change means
Clouds gather over the thunder as the fourth and fifth lines move: the upper Thunder turns to Water, and movement meets a heavy sky. The fifth line leads. Difficulties keep coming back, but as long as you stay anchored and faithful to what you set out to do, you won't lose what matters, and there's still something you're meant to do. The fourth line adds being stuck in mud: you can't see clearly what holds you back, so it's wiser to hold off until things shift. The resulting hexagram, 3 Initial Obstacles, confirms that this isn't the time to act directly. Look for allies who can represent you and move things on your behalf, and stay alert so you know when to take the initiative back. Patience and good helpers will serve you better than force.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- 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 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 3 Initial Obstacles
This isn't the time to act directly: look for people who can act for you, allies who represent you. Still, stay alert so you know when the time comes to take back the initiative and control.
Great success. Constancy is favorable. Having somewhere to go is of no use yet. It is favorable to install lords.
The trigrams
The way back
3 Initial Obstacles → 51 Shocklines 4 and 5
Other transformations of Shock
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1 and 2
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1 and 3
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2 and 3
- 2Passivitylines 1 and 4
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2 and 4
- 36Darknesslines 3 and 4
- 45Meetinglines 1 and 5
- 58Inner Peacelines 2 and 5
- 49Renewallines 3 and 5
- 35Advancelines 1 and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 2 and 6
- 30The Flamelines 3 and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 4 and 6
- 25Innocencelines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.