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Hexagram 18

Work on What Has Been Spoiled

山风蛊 · 蛊 · Gǔ  |  Mountain over Wind

Decay has set in; courageous repair renews what was spoiled.

DecayRepairReformRenewal
Upper trigram
艮 · Mountain
Lower trigram
巽 · Wind

The Judgment

“Supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Heed the days before and after the turning point.”

The Lines

Six at the beginningSetting right what the father has spoiled. With such a son, the late father is free of blame. Danger, but in the end, good fortune.
Nine in the second placeSetting right what the mother has spoiled. One must not be too persistent.
Nine in the third placeSetting right what the father has spoiled. A little regret, but no great blame.
Six in the fourth placeTolerating what the father has spoiled. To go on brings regret.
Six in the fifth placeSetting right what the father has spoiled. One wins praise.
Nine at the topHe does not serve kings and princes, but sets himself higher aims.

Line texts are an original modern translation of the classical Zhou Yi (public domain).

Meaning

Wind dies at the foot of the mountain, and stagnation breeds decay. The task is to face neglected problems and set them right.

Guidance

Diagnose the rot honestly, reform what was spoiled, and guard against the same neglect returning.

When This Hexagram Appears

Inheriting or confronting a deteriorated situation that demands repair and reform.

FAQ about Hexagram 18

What does Hexagram 18, Work on What Has Been Spoiled, mean?

Work on What Has Been Spoiled (山风蛊, hexagram 18 of the I Ching). Wind dies at the foot of the mountain, and stagnation breeds decay. The task is to face neglected problems and set them right.

What is the Judgment of the Work on What Has Been Spoiled hexagram?

The Judgment reads: “Supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Heed the days before and after the turning point.” Decay has set in; courageous repair renews what was spoiled.

What guidance does Hexagram 18 offer?

Diagnose the rot honestly, reform what was spoiled, and guard against the same neglect returning.

When does the Work on What Has Been Spoiled hexagram apply?

Inheriting or confronting a deteriorated situation that demands repair and reform.

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