What this change means
Thunder doubles as the third, fourth and fifth lines change, and the quiet after crossing is broken by a jolt. The two judgments are read together. The starting hexagram says good fortune comes first and disorder may follow, so think about trouble before it arrives. The resulting hexagram, 51 Shock, speaks of unexpected situations that would frighten others, and asks you to keep control and act calmly, without losing composure; that lets you succeed where others fail. The connection is direct. Preparation is what makes calm possible when a surprise hits. Use the good time to plan for what could go wrong. Then, if something sudden shakes the situation, you'll have the steadiness to respond rather than react, and the shock can become an advantage.
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 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.
- 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.
- Line 3 of 63 After the End
If you want to expand right now, you'll have to use extreme measures to clear the obstacles in the way.
The High Ancestor attacks the land of Guifang; in three years he conquers it. Do not employ the petty person.
- Line 4 of 63 After the End
If you get careless during times of expansion, old unresolved matters may come to light. Stay alert so you can put them right.
There are rags for the leaks in the boat; on guard all day long.
- Line 5 of 63 After the End
If your actions come from the heart and are genuine, a small action can bring great results.
The eastern neighbor slaughters an ox; it is not worth the simple offering of the western neighbor, who truly receives the blessing.
The trigrams
The way back
51 Shock → 63 After the Endlines 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of After the End
- 29Waterlines 1, 2, and 3
- 28Excesseslines 1, 2, and 4
- 45Meetinglines 1, 3, and 4
- 58Inner Peacelines 2, 3, and 4
- 46Going Uplines 1, 2, and 5
- 2Passivitylines 1, 3, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 2, 3, and 5
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 1, 4, and 5
- 34Great Manifestationlines 2, 4, and 5
- 57Gentlenesslines 1, 2, and 6
- 20Observinglines 1, 3, and 6
- 61Inner Integritylines 2, 3, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 4, and 6
- 1Activitylines 2, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 3, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 5, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 2, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 3, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.