Gu 山風蠱
A time to fix an old problem
It is time to sort out a problem you let sit. The longer you wait, the worse it festers, so act now.
What does I Ching hexagram 18 (Work on the Decayed) mean?
Like a vessel gone wormy from neglect, this is about repairing a problem left too long. A time to reform old faults.
- Work on the Decayed in love
- Facing old conflicts head-on is how a relationship recovers.
- Work on the Decayed at work and with money
- Sorting out and reforming an old problem becomes a fresh start.
- Advice
- Fix the problem you have been putting off, now.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Work on the Decayed
Auspicious“Great success; it is fitting to cross the great river. Three days before the starting day and three days after.”
The Image: Wind beneath the mountain: decay. The noble person stirs up the people and nurtures virtue.
原文 · 元亨。利涉大川。先甲三日，後甲三日。 / 山下有風，蠱；君子以振民育德。
The six lines of hexagram 18
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
Auspicious“Setting right what the father spoiled: if there is a son, the father is without blame. Danger, but good fortune in the end.”
You inherit an old mess. Fix it with care, and it turns out well.
原文 · 幹父之蠱，有子考，无咎，厲終吉。
Line 2 · 九二
Neutral“Setting right what the mother spoiled: one must not be too rigid.”
Correct the problem gently. Too much stubbornness makes it worse.
原文 · 幹母之蠱，不可貞。
Line 3 · 九三
Caution“Setting right what the father spoiled: a little regret, but no great blame.”
Being a bit too forceful costs you a little, but the work is right.
原文 · 幹父之蠱，小有悔，无大咎。
Line 4 · 六四
Caution“Being easygoing about what the father spoiled: going forward, one meets humiliation.”
Letting the old mistakes slide makes things worse. Face it.
原文 · 裕父之蠱，往見吝。
Line 5 · 六五
Neutral“Setting right what the father spoiled: one earns praise.”
Fixing the old mess with the right approach wins recognition.
原文 · 幹父之蠱，用譽。
Line 6 · 上九
Neutral“Not serving kings and lords, setting a high value on one’s own affairs.”
You rise above the fray and pursue your own high ideals.
原文 · 不事王侯，高尚其事。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 17. Sui (Following)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 17. Sui (Following)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.