Zhen, six at the topHexagram 51, line 6 · Zhen (Thunder) · changing to 21
The line
In plain wordsThe thunder has you shivering, eyes darting around in panic; going forward in this state will certainly bring misfortune. If you wake up and examine yourself while the thunder has only struck your neighbor and not yet you, there is no blame. Still, some gossip from those close to you cannot be avoided.
The Image commentary on this line
震索索，中未得也。雖凶无咎，畏鄰戒也。
"Thunder leaves one trembling": the center has not been attained. Though there is misfortune, there is "no blame": one fears what befell the neighbor and takes warning.
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. The text speaks of misfortune and also says it can be avoided. The danger lies in rushing and forcing. Stay steady, correct mistakes, and the bad outcome can be escaped.
How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →
Asking about work, love or money
- Work
- Something has happened to someone else, and you are panicking too, completely thrown. Don't rush into action now; moving ahead in a panic only leads to mistakes. Take what happened to them as a warning, check yourself first, and don't mind a little gossip from those around you.
- Love
- Seeing people around you break up or fall out, you start to panic too. Don't make decisions in a panic. First ask whether the same problem exists on your side; if family or friends have a few things to say, just listen.
- Money
- Watching others lose money or run into trouble, you can't sit still either. Don't rush around making moves in a panic; that only makes things worse. Use their lesson to check your own accounts, and if those close to you have opinions, hear them out patiently.
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 yin place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the third line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.
Top place: the end of the matter. What reaches its limit turns. Know when to stop.
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 Shihe (Biting Through): hexagram 51 changing to 21.
Which text to read with several changing lines →
Resulting hexagram · Shihe (Biting Through)
Something is stuck in the middle, and you have to bite through it.