Hexagram 51 · 震 · zhèn
Hexagram 51. Zhèn · The Arousing, Thunder
☳☳ Thunder over thunder: Zhèn above, Zhèn below.
A'an gives the intimation of ease and develop¬ ment. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet
A'an gives the intimation of ease and develop¬ ment. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet
A thunderclap: shock, sudden event, upheaval. It frightens only the uncollected; one standing at the center of his own life spills not a spoonful of wine. Shock purifies: examine yourself, set right what trembled — and go on living with laughter, not fear.
The Image
Thunder upon thunder: a series of shocks, sudden and loud. Their function is to test the inner axis: the composed one 'spills not a spoonful of wine'; the one who clings to externals loses all at once. The first fright is lawful; what matters is what follows — self-inspection, correction of what trembled, and a return to work with laughter. A shock rightly lived through is a vaccine, not a trauma.
Interpretation of hexagram 51
LI. The Kan Hexagram. while the proper wife has none, he will be his father’s heir, and the mother, the concubine, will share in the honour of his position. Thus the issue of what was so unpromising is good. At least ‘ there is no mistake.’ The above is what is found in the best commentaries on the paragraph. I give it, but am myself dissa¬ tisfied with it.
The lines of hexagram 51
First line
The first line, undivided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, looking out and around with apprehension, and afterwards smiling and talking cheerfully. There will be good fortune.
Line 2 is strong. ‘ The enemy ’ is the first line, which solicits 1. One, however, is able to resist the solicitation; and the whole paragraph gives a good auspice. The personal pronoun seems to show that the whole was, or was intended to be, understood as an oracular response in divination. This paragraph is rhymed, more¬ over, as are also 1,3, and 4 :—
Second line
The second line, divided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, in a position of peril. He judges it better to let go the articles (in his possession), and to ascend a very lofty height. There is no occasion for him to pursue after (the things he has let go); in seven days he will find them.
‘ In the caldron is good fare,
Third line
The third line, divided, shows its subject dis¬ traught amid the startling movements going on. If those movements excite him to (right) action, there will be no mistake.
See my foe with angry glare ;
Fourth line
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking (deeper) in the mud.
But touch me he does not dare.’
Fifth line
The fifth line, divided, shows its subject going and coming amidst the startling movements (of the time), and always in peril; but perhaps he will not incur loss, and find business (which he can accomplish).
Line 3 is also strong, and in the proper place; and if its corre¬ late were the divided 5, its auspice would be entirely good. But instead of 5, its correlate is the strong 6. The place of the ears at 5 has been changed. Things promise badly. The advance of 3 is stopped. The good meat in the caldron which it symbolises will not be eaten. But 3 keeping firm g will by and by seek its society! The yin and the yang will mingle, and their union will be followed by genial rain. The issue will be good.
Top line
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject, amidst the startling movements (of the time), in breathless dismay and looking round him with trembling apprehension. If he take action, there will be evil. If, while the startling movements have not reached his own person and his neighbourhood, (he were to take precautions), there would be no error, though his relatives might (still) speak against him.
Line 4 is in the place of a great minister, who is charged with the most difficult duties, which no single man can sustain. Then the strength of 4 is weakened by being in an even place, and its corre¬ late is the weak 1 in the lowest place. Its subject is insufficient of
Did hexagram 51 come up in your reading? The oracle itself gives the full reading, with changing lines and the second hexagram.
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