Hexagram 18: Gu

Judgment

元亨。利涉大川。先甲三日，後甲三日。

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.

Repair is read as a great and open undertaking, and a good time to take on something large. The text adds three days of planning before the start and three days of review after it.

Image

山下有風，蠱；君子以振民育德。

(The trigram for) a mountain, and below it that for wind, form Kû. The superior man, in accordance with this, (addresses himself to) help the people and nourish his own virtue.

Line 1 · 初六

幹父之蠱，有子考，无咎，厲終吉。

The first line, divided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his father. If he be an (able) son, the father will escape the blame of having erred. The position is perilous, but there will be good fortune in the end.

You take over a problem a parent left behind, and by repairing it you clear the parent's name. The work feels risky at first and ends well.

Line 2 · 九二

幹母之蠱，不可貞。

The second line, undivided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his mother. He should not (carry) his firm correctness (to the utmost).

A problem that comes from a mother calls for a gentle touch, because insisting hard on being right would damage the bond you are trying to protect.

Line 3 · 九三

幹父之蠱，小有悔，无大咎。

The 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.

A parent's problem gets more force from you than it needs, which leaves small regrets along the way. No large fault attaches to the result.

Line 4 · 六四

裕父之蠱，往見吝。

The fourth line, divided, shows (a son) viewing indulgently the troubles caused by his father. If he go forward, he will find cause to regret it.

You let a parent's problem slide and treat it gently when it needs real work, and if things go on like this, regret follows.

Line 5 · 六五

幹父之蠱，用譽。

The fifth line, divided, shows (a son) dealing with the troubles caused by his father. He obtains the praise of using (the fit instrument for his work).

With a capable helper at your side, you repair the parent's problem, and the result earns praise.

Line 6 · 上九

不事王侯，高尚其事。

The 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.

Stepping away from service to rulers and powerful people, you give your attention to your own higher purposes. The line pictures a clean exit from the world's business.