Hexagram 51
震

Thunderclap

zhèn · Thunder over Thunder

Let the shock pass through you, and keep hold of your duties.

The judgment

亨。震來虩虩,笑言啞啞。震驚百里,不喪匕鬯。

Thunder rolls in and everyone flinches, then laughter follows. It startles a hundred miles around, yet the one holding the ritual ladle and wine spills nothing. Shock opens the way if you keep your composure.

The six lines

Line 1 · Yang

初九:震來虩虩,後笑言啞啞,吉。

Thunder comes and you tremble; afterward you laugh and talk again. Fear that is felt and then released leads somewhere good.

Line 2 · Yin

六二:震來厲,億喪貝,躋于九陵,勿逐,七日得。

Thunder brings danger and you may lose your valuables. Climb to high ground. Do not chase what is gone; seven days may bring it back.

Line 3 · Yin

六三:震蘇蘇,震行无眚。

Thunder leaves you dazed and unsteady. Let the shock move you to act, and you can get through without harm.

Line 4 · Yang

九四:震遂泥。

Thunder falls and sinks into mud. The force gets bogged down; look at what is holding you stuck.

Line 5 · Yin

六五:震往來厲,億无喪,有事。

Thunder comes and goes, and every move carries danger. Yet nothing essential is lost if you stay with the task at hand.

Line 6 · Yin

上六:震索索,視矍矍,征凶。震不于其躬,于其鄰,无咎。婚媾有言。

Shaken and wild-eyed, pressing ahead brings trouble. Take warning while it strikes your neighbor, not you, and you stay blameless. In-laws may still grumble.

The I Ching is a tool for reflection. Do not use it as the basis for medical, legal or money decisions.