Situational Guidance
The Gu hexagram tells us that in the face of corruption and illness, escaping is not an option. Only by showing courage and wisdom and carrying out thoughtful innovation can we eradicate the shortcomings and usher in a new life.
Hexagram 18
Decay
Weaknesses, rectification, ordering things out of chaos
The Gu hexagram tells us that in the face of corruption and illness, escaping is not an option. Only by showing courage and wisdom and carrying out thoughtful innovation can we eradicate the shortcomings and usher in a new life.
Trigram Structure
䷑, Gen above, Xun below
Palace：巽
Key Themes
Weaknesses, rectification, ordering things out of chaos
Judgement
Gu: Yuanheng, benefiting from Dachuan. The first one is three days, the second one is three days.
Natural Symbolism
Stagnant air in a valley, a pool of dead water.
Associated Objects
Moldy food, a room needing a thorough cleaning, old software full of vulnerabilities.
Life Application & Summary
The Gu hexagram tells us that in the face of corruption and illness, escaping is not an option. Only by showing courage and wisdom and carrying out thoughtful innovation can we eradicate the shortcomings and usher in a new life.
Line-by-line Interpretation
Line 1
The godfather's poison. If you have children, there will be no blame in the examination. Li Zhongji.
Guidance
Rectifying the ills left by the father's generation, with the image of a son inheriting the father's business; no great fault.
Modern Insight
This refers to bravely taking on the mess left by predecessors. This requires great courage and ability. When you successfully solve historical problems, you can not only create the future but also give the best comfort to your predecessors.
Line 2
The godmother's poison cannot be chaste.
Guidance
Rectifying the ills left by the mother's generation; do not be too hasty, need to maintain the middle way.
Modern Insight
The mother symbolizes love and gentleness. Problems caused by excessive doting and tolerance cannot be corrected with harsh means. You need to guide gently, flexibly, and with patience; otherwise, you will only intensify conflicts and achieve the opposite.
Line 3
Godfather's curse means small regrets but no big faults.
Guidance
Rectifying the father's ills; though there may be small regrets, no great harm.
Modern Insight
In reform, you may be somewhat too radical because of eagerness. Looking back, you may feel that some approaches could be more comprehensive. But as long as your general direction is correct, minor flaws are harmless. Do not stop the pace of reform because of small regrets.
Line 4
The poison of rich father is stinginess.
Guidance
Tolerating and indulging the ills of predecessors will lead to trouble.
Modern Insight
This warns those who tolerate evil and whitewash peace. Facing accumulated ills, you choose to tolerate and delay. This attitude will only make problems snowball, eventually trapping you in difficulty.
Line 5
The godfather's trick is to use reputation.
Guidance
Rectifying the father's ills can gain good reputation.
Modern Insight
You hold a high position and solve long-standing problems with outstanding wisdom and ability. Your success not only solves problems but also wins you great reputation and hearts. This is the highest honor for reformers.
Line 6
Don't do anything to the prince, do it noble.
Guidance
Disdaining worldly affairs, pursuing higher ideals, worthy of praise.
Modern Insight
You have successfully completed the task of ordering things out of chaos. At this time, you choose to retire after success, transcending worldly affairs. You no longer entangle yourself with worldly ills and reforms, but pursue personal higher-level sublimation. This is the ultimate destination of the wise.
