Zhen, six in the fifth placeHexagram 51, line 5 · Zhen (Thunder) · changing to 17
The line
In plain wordsThe thunder comes and goes, and there is danger at every moment. But if you hold to the middle way, there will be no great loss, and you can still get done what needs doing.
The Image commentary on this line
震往來厲，危行也。其事在中，大无喪也。
"Thunder comes and goes: danger": one acts in peril. The matter lies in the center: there is no great loss at all.
The small Image commentary is the earliest explanation of the line texts. It usually explains a line from its position: where it stands, whether it holds the center, and which line answers it.
Verdict
慎Proceed with care. There is some risk, or some regret left over, but nothing serious. Notice it early, correct it early, and things turn for the better.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Trouble comes in wave after wave, every step carries risk, and you can't wait for it to stop. Don't go to extremes, and keep doing what needs to be done. Stay steady in the middle, and you won't lose anything big.
- Love
- In love, storms come and go; no sooner does one settle than another rises, and you have to be careful all the time. Don't let your emotions carry you off. Keep your sense of measure and face what needs facing, and you won't lose what matters.
- Money
- Money swings up and down again and again, and the risk never lets up. Don't jump at every scare and keep readjusting; keep to your usual rhythm, pay what needs paying and do what needs doing, and there will be no great loss.
This is how to read it when this is the only changing line. With several changing lines, first see which text governs; for the hexagram as a whole, see Zhen.
Line position
A yin line in a yang place: it is not in its proper place; it holds the center of its trigram. Its partner is the second line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.
Fifth place: the center of the upper trigram, the ruler's seat, a place of achievement. This is where things are decided.
When you get this line
If this is the only changing line in your cast (three inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Zhen (Thunder); when this line changes it becomes Sui (Following): hexagram 51 changing to 17.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Sui (Following)
Go with the times and follow the right people, and you won't go wrong.