Gu · Repairing Decay
蛊卦 · 山风蛊
- Fixing problems
- Old habits
- Renewal
- Repair
The Judgment
Kû indicates great progress and success (to him who deals properly with the condition represented by it). There will be advantage in (efforts like that of) crossing the great stream. (He should weigh well, however, the events of) three days before the turning point, and those (to be done) three days after it.
元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。
The Image
Wind at the foot of the mountain: decay. The noble one, in the same way, stirs up the people and nourishes their virtue.
山下有风，蛊。君子以振民育德。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
You may be facing a problem that has been building for a long time: neglected tasks, a relationship in need of repair, or outdated rules in a team. Gu originally meant something left too long until worms grew in it: it still looks usable, but inside it has started to rot. This is not a sudden crisis but the result of long neglect.
Where to put your effort
Face the problem instead of covering it up. Before you act, understand how it came about; after you fix it, follow up and consolidate. When dealing with problems you inherited, be firm but tactful and give people a way to save face. This is a good time to cross the great water: commit to the repair and a new situation will open up.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Strive to pull yourself together and you can change the old picture.
- Wealth
- Do not hoard; sell right away.
- Family
- Restore order at home; watch out for affairs; pregnancy may be difficult.
- Health
- Toxic build-up; be careful.
Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
The six lines
Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.
Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his mother. He should not (carry) his firm correctness (to the utmost).Moving
九二：干母之蛊，不可贞。
Image：Setting right what the mother spoiled: finding the middle way.
- Career
- Go with the flow; do not be hasty.
- Wealth
- Handle old debts and problems gently.
- Family
- The mother's side dominates; be patient and mediate. A good wife can be found.
- Health
- Adults have a cold condition; children need strengthening.
Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his father. There may be some small occasion for repentance, but there will not be any great error.Moving
九三：干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
Image：Setting right what the father spoiled: in the end, no blame.
- Career
- Truly change your ways and you still have a future.
- Wealth
- Rebuild the old business; small losses, big gains.
- Family
- Renovate the house.
- Health
- You should recover.
Nine at the topThe sixth line, undivided, shows us one who does not serve either king or feudal lord, but in a lofty spirit prefers (to attend to) his own affairs.Moving
上九：不事王侯，高尚其事。
Image：Not serving kings and lords: this aim is worth following.
- Career
- Stepping back to move forward works better.
- Wealth
- No need to rush to sell; profit can be expected.
- Family
- Live on high ground; a match made in heaven.
- Health
- Nearing the end of a natural lifespan; be at peace.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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