I CHING HEXAGRAM
Hexagram 18: Work on What Has Been Spoiled
Ku · 蠱
What rotted through neglect can be repaired. Deliberate well before, consolidate well after.
- repair
- correction
- decay
- renewal
- Upper trigram
- Mountain 艮 · Stillness
- Lower trigram
- Wind 巽 · Gentleness
The Judgment
WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED has sublime success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days; after the starting point, three days.
The Image
The wind blows low on the mountain. Thus the superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.
Meaning
The hexagram 'Work on What Has Been Spoiled' carries the energy of Mountain (Stillness) acting upon Wind (Gentleness). This moment asks for balance between pausing outwardly and penetrating inwardly.
In love
In relationships, the interplay suggests stability or blockage combined with subtle influence. Check that communication is clear.
In work and business
At work, the energy favors consolidation grounded in gradual growth. Consolidate your base.
Symbolism
The image of Mountain above Wind suggests a natural dynamic of stillness over gentleness.
The six lines
Lines are counted from the bottom (1) to the top (6). A line is read only when it changes in your cast.
Six in the 1st place
First position: fragility in the first steps. The line is seated in the lower trigram, Wind (Gentleness) — it acts in the inner world of the figure.
Early, subtle signs of change. Watch the small details before they grow. It stands out of place: the nature of the line does not match the position, so it demands more awareness than talent. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Early, subtle signs of change. Watch the small details before they grow. It stands out of place: the nature of the line does not match the position, so it demands more awareness than talent. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Nine in the 2nd place
Second position: centered strength, recognized from afar. The line is seated in the lower trigram, Wind (Gentleness) — it acts in the inner world of the figure.
The center of the lower trigram. Competence begins to be noticed. Seek mentors and alliances. It stands out of place, yet holds the center of the trigram — centrality offsets the mismatch, so long as measure is kept. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
The center of the lower trigram. Competence begins to be noticed. Seek mentors and alliances. It stands out of place, yet holds the center of the trigram — centrality offsets the mismatch, so long as measure is kept. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Nine in the 3rd place
Third position: the dangerous threshold between low and high. The line is seated in the lower trigram, Wind (Gentleness) — it acts in the inner world of the figure.
End of the lower trigram — a critical transition. Excess enthusiasm here breeds mistakes. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
End of the lower trigram — a critical transition. Excess enthusiasm here breeds mistakes. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Six in the 4th place
Fourth position: prudent reserve beside power. The line is seated in the upper trigram, Mountain (Stillness) — it acts in the manifest world of the figure.
Caution and discretion are the right conduct here. This is not the hour to shine. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Caution and discretion are the right conduct here. This is not the hour to shine. It stands in its own place: the nature of the line matches the position, and that favors what it asks for. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Six in the 5th place
Fifth position: ruling through moderation. The line is seated in the upper trigram, Mountain (Stillness) — it acts in the manifest world of the figure.
Authority exercised with gentleness. Success comes from measure, not from imposition. It stands out of place, yet holds the center of the trigram — centrality offsets the mismatch, so long as measure is kept. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Authority exercised with gentleness. Success comes from measure, not from imposition. It stands out of place, yet holds the center of the trigram — centrality offsets the mismatch, so long as measure is kept. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Nine in the 6th place
Sixth position: beyond the summit, the excess. The line is seated in the upper trigram, Mountain (Stillness) — it acts in the manifest world of the figure.
The cycle has reached its end. Insisting past this point turns success into a fall. Withdraw with dignity. It stands out of place: the nature of the line does not match the position, so it demands more awareness than talent. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
The cycle has reached its end. Insisting past this point turns success into a fall. Withdraw with dignity. It stands out of place: the nature of the line does not match the position, so it demands more awareness than talent. And all of this inside the figure of Work on What Has Been Spoiled — the matter is repair: that is the theme this line is changing.
Frequently asked questions
What does hexagram 18 mean?
Work on What Has Been Spoiled (Ku): The hexagram 'Work on What Has Been Spoiled' carries the energy of Mountain (Stillness) acting upon Wind (Gentleness). This moment asks for balance between pausing outwardly and penetrating inwardly.
What does hexagram 18 say about love?
In relationships, the interplay suggests stability or blockage combined with subtle influence. Check that communication is clear.
What does hexagram 18 say about work?
At work, the energy favors consolidation grounded in gradual growth. Consolidate your base.