What this change means
Two thunders replace two mountains as four lines move: the stillest figure turns into the most startling one. The guidance comes from the lines of 51 Shock that stay still. Shock asks you to keep calm and in control when the unexpected strikes, which lets you get through where others fail. Its second line says hard situations and even losses may come, but there's nothing to fear: what goes tends to return, and your path reopens. Its fifth line says obstacles may come one after another, yet staying connected to your center and purpose keeps you from loss. So the calm you built in stillness is about to be tested. Hold on to it, don't chase what's lost, and keep your purpose.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 51 Shock, which stays still
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 5 of 51 Shock, which stays still
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 judgment of 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
- Line 1 of 52 Abiding
Better to stop too soon than to take ill-advised steps.
Still the toes. No fault. Lasting constancy is favorable.
- Line 3 of 52 Abiding
The stillness you need now can't be forced. It has to come from a calm heart and unhurried breathing.
Still the waist; the flesh along the spine is torn. Danger: the heart is smothered.
- Line 4 of 52 Abiding
You're able to stay calm and trust that the universe will take care of things.
Still the trunk. No fault.
- Line 6 of 52 Abiding
There's perfect stillness, an inner calm that lets you master what's outside. Success.
Deep stillness. Good fortune.
- 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 trigrams
The way back
51 Shock → 52 Abidinglines 1, 3, 4, and 6
Other transformations of Abiding
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 6Conflictlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 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.