Hexagram 18: Work on the Decayed
Repair, correcting what has been spoiled
| Chinese | 蠱 (Gǔ) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☶ Mountain — Keeping Still (Earth) |
| Lower trigram | ☴ Wind — The Gentle (Wood) |
| Keywords | repair, correction, renewal, diligence |
| Opposite | Hexagram 17: Following |
| Inverted | Hexagram 17: Following |
What does Hexagram 18 (Work on the Decayed) mean?
Work on the Decayed 蠱 (Gǔ) is hexagram 18 of the I Ching, formed by Mountain (Keeping Still) over Wind (The Gentle). Its theme is repair, correcting what has been spoiled, with key ideas of repair, correction, renewal, diligence. The Judgment reads: “Work on what has been spoiled has supreme success.”
The Judgment of Work on the Decayed
Work on what has been spoiled has supreme success.
The Image of Work on the Decayed
The wind blows low on the mountain.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 18
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Six at the beginning
“Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. If there is a son, no blame rests upon the departed father. Danger in the end brings good fortune.”
Correcting inherited problems is the child's responsibility; doing so clears the ancestral fault. Willingness to face difficulty leads to resolution.
Nine in the second place
“Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother. One must not be too persevering.”
Correcting problems rooted in nurturing patterns requires gentleness, not force. Excessive rigidity in correction creates new damage.
Nine in the third place
“Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. There will be a little remorse. No great blame.”
Corrective action may cause minor friction, but the overall result is sound. Small regret is a fair price for necessary repair.
Six in the fourth place
“Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father. In continuing one sees humiliation.”
Passively accepting what should be corrected leads to growing shame. Avoidance of the difficult work is itself a failure.
Six in the fifth place
“Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One meets with praise.”
Taking on the task of genuine renewal earns recognition. Willing correction of inherited fault is praiseworthy.
Nine at the top
“He does not serve kings and princes, sets himself higher goals.”
The sage who transcends conventional service pursues deeper cultivation. Working on inner decay is the highest vocation.
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