I Ching · King Wen 18
Hexagram 18: Work on What Has Been Spoiled
䷑ 蠱 Gǔ · also called Decay, Repair, Correcting · Keeping Still above The Gentle
Repairing decay: something has been neglected, and the work is to set it right with care before and after.
repairdecayresponsibilityreforminheritance
The meaning of Hexagram 18
Wind below, mountain above: wind stopped at the foot of a mountain, air gone stale. The Chinese character shows worms in a bowl. Work on What Has Been Spoiled describes damage that came from neglect or indulgence, often inherited from a previous generation or a previous decision, and the reading is favourable because it says the damage can be repaired. The tradition asks for deliberation before the work begins, three days before and three days after, and it supports crossing the great water: a large task is called for and can be done.
The image. Wind at the foot of the mountain; the wise person stirs the people and strengthens their spirit.
- Advice
- Deliberate, repair the decay thoroughly, and watch that it does not return.
- Warning
- Rushing the repair, or leaving it half-done, invites the decay back worse than before.
over
Structure: ☴ The Gentle (Wind) below, ☶ Keeping Still (Mountain) above. Nuclear hexagram 54, The Marrying Maiden. Every line reversed: 17, Following.
Hexagram 18 for love and relationships
Something between you has been let slide, perhaps for a long time, and the reading says it can be mended. Look at how it decayed before you act, act with care, and stay attentive afterwards so it does not slide back.
Hexagram 18 for career
Fixing what a predecessor left, or what you neglected. The reading favours taking on the repair, including a large one, with proper preparation and follow-through. Blame is not the point; correction is.
Hexagram 18 for money
Neglected finances, an inherited mess, a debt let run. It can be sorted. Plan the repair carefully, do it thoroughly, and check it afterwards; half-measures let the rot return.
Hexagram 18 for decisions
Decide to address the decay rather than to work around it. The careful, thorough option is right, even if it is larger. Deliberate first, then act, then watch.
The six changing lines
Read from the bottom. A changing line flips, and the hexagram it changes into is named with each.
Not serving kings and princes; setting higher goals.
Beyond the work of repair, someone who steps back from public affairs to attend to their own development. Withdrawal here is not evasion; it is a different, higher kind of work, and the tradition respects it.
Changing, it becomes Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward. Read line 6 →
Setting right what the father spoiled. One meets with praise.
The reform done well, with help from capable people, and recognised. Someone in a position of responsibility corrects an inherited fault with skill and is praised for it.
Changing, it becomes Hexagram 57, The Gentle. Read line 5 →
Tolerating what the father spoiled. Going on brings humiliation.
Living with the decay instead of repairing it, out of weakness or convenience. The line is clear that continuing this way ends in humiliation. The problem grows while it is tolerated.
Changing, it becomes Hexagram 50, The Cauldron. Read line 4 →
Setting right what the father spoiled. A little regret; no great blame.
Correcting an old fault with slightly too much energy. There is some friction and a little regret, but the impulse is sound and the tradition does not condemn it. Better too vigorous than too passive.
Changing, it becomes Hexagram 4, Youthful Folly. Read line 3 →
Setting right what the mother spoiled. One should not be too persistent.
Repairing a fault that came from indulgence or softness. The line warns against harshness: too much rigour in correcting a gentle error causes new harm. Correct with tact.
Changing, it becomes Hexagram 52, Keeping Still. Read line 2 →
Setting right what the father spoiled. If there is a son, no blame falls on the departed. Danger, then good fortune.
Inherited damage, from a parent, a predecessor or the past, which the present person takes responsibility for. It is risky and it is right, and it clears the blame from everyone.
Changing, it becomes Hexagram 26, Great Taming. Read line 1 →
Related hexagrams
Cast your own reading
Ask a question and toss six lines. The oracle does not choose the hexagram for you; the coins do.
Ask the I Ching →Common questions
- What does I Ching Hexagram 18 mean?
- Repairing decay: something has been neglected, and the work is to set it right with care before and after. Wind below, mountain above: wind stopped at the foot of a mountain, air gone stale. The Chinese character shows worms in a bowl. Work on What Has Been Spoiled describes damage that came from neglect or indulgence, often inherited from a previous generation or a previous decision, and the reading is favourable because it says the damage can be repaired. The tradition asks for deliberation before the work begins, three days before and three days after, and it supports crossing the great water: a large task is called for and can be done.
- What does Hexagram 18 mean for love?
- Something between you has been let slide, perhaps for a long time, and the reading says it can be mended. Look at how it decayed before you act, act with care, and stay attentive afterwards so it does not slide back.
- Which hexagram does Hexagram 18 change into?
- It depends on which lines change. With one changing line: line 1 gives Hexagram 26, Great Taming; line 2 gives Hexagram 52, Keeping Still; line 3 gives Hexagram 4, Youthful Folly; line 4 gives Hexagram 50, The Cauldron; line 5 gives Hexagram 57, The Gentle; line 6 gives Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward. With every line changing it becomes Hexagram 17, Following.