Hexagram 63Upper Kan · WaterLower Li · Fire

Ji Ji · After Completion

既济卦 · 水火既济

Completion
Success
Consolidation
Vigilance

The Judgment

Ki Tsi intimates progress and success in small matters. There will be advantage in being firm and correct. There has been good fortune in the beginning; there may be disorder in the end.

亨小，利贞。初吉，终乱。

The Image

Water over fire: after completion. The noble one, in the same way, thinks about future trouble and guards against it in advance.

水在火上，既济。君子以思患而豫防之。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

Something has largely been completed and the situation is settling. Ji Ji is water over fire, with all six lines in their proper places, a symbol of having already crossed the river. This is a moment worth celebrating, but the text also warns: good fortune at the start, disorder at the end. Right after success is when people most easily let their guard down.

Where to put your effort

Stay alert in the midst of success: think about what could go wrong and prepare for it in advance. Consolidate what you have achieved rather than rushing into something new. Pay attention to small oversights; many failures to hold on to success come from carelessness at the last moment.

Four areas of life

Career: What peaks must decline; guard against future trouble.
Wealth: Sell in good time and you can make a profit.
Family: A large house to live in; a lifelong, happy union.
Health: Just recovered from a serious illness; keep looking after yourself.

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 a driver) who drags back his wheel, (or as a fox) which has wet his tail. There will be no error.Moving

初九：曳其轮，濡其尾，无咎。

Image：Dragging his wheels back: by rights, no blame.

Career: Keep up the effort and you can avoid blame.
Wealth: Hold steady for now and you will get out of trouble.
Family: A settled home; the first engagement is auspicious.
Health: An early illness can be treated.

Six in the second placeThe second line, divided, (shows its subject as) a wife who has lost her (carriage-)screen. There is no occasion to go in pursuit of it. In seven days she will find it.Moving

六二：妇丧其茀，勿逐，七日得。

Image：In seven days you will get it back: through the middle way.

Career: Ignore small gains and you will achieve great things.
Wealth: Lost and found again; no need to worry.
Family: Returns in seven years; you will be reunited.
Health: Better within seven days.

Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, (suggests the case of) Kao Tsung who attacked the Demon region, but was three years in subduing it. Small men should not be employed (in such enterprises).Moving

九三：高宗伐鬼方，三年克之。小人勿用。

Image：Conquering it after three years: exhausted.

Career: Work hard and your plans will succeed.
Wealth: Only years of effort will bring profit.
Family: Move in after three years; marry in three years.
Health: Fine for now, but only for three years.

Six in the fourth placeThe fourth line, divided, shows its subject with rags provided against any leak (in his boat), and on his guard all day long.Moving

六四：繻有衣袽，终日戒。

Image：Be on guard all day long: there is cause for doubt.

Career: In good times, think of hard times; caution is best.
Wealth: Fix the gaps in your business early.
Family: Repair the house; cherish your relationship.
Health: Old and frail.

Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows its subject (as) the neighbour in the east who slaughters an ox (for his sacrifice); but this is not equal to the (small) spring sacrifice of the neighbour in the west, whose sincerity receives the blessing.Moving

九五：东邻杀牛，不如西郊之禴祭，实受其福。

Image：The eastern neighbour slaughters an ox: not as timely as the western neighbour. Truly receiving the blessing: great good fortune comes.

Career: Preserve what you have; fortune and misfortune are of your own making.
Wealth: Thrift beats extravagance and brings real profit.
Family: A west-facing house is lucky; neighbours arrange an engagement.
Health: Best to pray.

Six at the topThe topmost line, divided, shows its subject with (even) his head immersed. The position is perilous.Moving

上六：濡其首，厉。

Image：Getting his head wet, danger: how could it last?

Career: Your lucky streak has passed; beware of danger.
Wealth: A first deal is unlikely to profit.
Family: Unfavourable for the eldest branch; misfortune for the first spouse.
Health: A head problem; clearly dangerous.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

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