Ge · Revolution
革卦 · 泽火革
- Change
- Transformation
- Timing
- Earning trust
The Judgment
(What takes place as indicated by) Ko is believed in only after it has been accomplished. There will be great progress and success. Advantage will come from being firm and correct. (In that case) occasion for repentance will disappear.
己日乃孚。元亨利贞。悔亡。
The Image
Fire within the lake: revolution. The noble one, in the same way, sets the calendar in order and makes the seasons clear.
泽中有火，革。君子以治历明时。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
The old ways no longer work, and you are standing at a crossroads where something has to change: a new job, a new direction, a relationship that needs adjusting, or a fundamental reform you want to drive. Ge is fire within the lake, water and fire extinguishing each other, a symbol of clearing out the old and bringing in the new. Change is now unavoidable; the question is how to change.
Where to put your effort
Wait until the time is ripe: act once conditions are in place and people are on board. Explain your reasons clearly first and win the trust of those around you. Bring order to the process and move at a steady pace rather than overturning everything overnight. Change that is justified and thorough leaves no room for regret.
Four areas of life
- Career
- A time of change; move with the times.
- Wealth
- Too much drain; move your trade elsewhere.
- Family
- Be careful with fire; a sign of remarriage.
- Health
- Kidney energy dried up; liver heat rising.
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 at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows its subject (as if he were) bound with the skin of a yellow ox.Moving
初九：巩用黄牛之革。
Image：Bound with yellow oxhide: one should not act.
- Career
- Best to hold firm and wait a few more years.
- Wealth
- Build the foundation first; do not try to change course.
- Family
- A newly built house; wait three years to marry.
- Health
- Bloating and hardness in the abdomen; clear it and strengthen digestion.
Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows that action taken by its subject will be evil. Though he be firm and correct, his position is perilous. If the change (he contemplates) have been three times fully discussed, he will be believed in.Moving
九三：征凶贞厉。革言三就，有孚。
Image：Talk of change has come round three times: where else is there to go?
- Career
- Think it over again and again to avoid future trouble.
- Wealth
- Only good credit brings profit.
- Family
- Moving three times is advisable; three matchmakers are involved.
- Health
- Better within three days.
Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows occasion for repentance disappearing (from its subject). Let him be believed in; and though he change (existing) ordinances, there will be good fortune.Moving
九四：悔亡，有孚，改命，吉。
Image：The good fortune of changing the mandate: the will is trusted.
- Career
- Change tracks and good luck will come.
- Wealth
- Revive the old business and you can profit.
- Family
- Rebuilding is favourable; remarriage is favourable.
- Health
- Find a better doctor.
Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows the great man (producing his changes) as the tiger (does when he) changes (his stripes). Before he divines (and proceeds to action), faith has been reposed in him.Moving
九五：大人虎变，未占有孚。
Image：The great person changes like a tiger: their pattern is brilliant.
- Career
- A great run of luck arrives; extraordinary success.
- Wealth
- Fix your price and profit will follow.
- Family
- Not a good time to move; guard against infidelity.
- Health
- Fluctuating liver heat that will settle without medicine.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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