18. Gu | Repairing Decay
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
蛊：元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。
English translation
Gu / Repairing Decay: Great success is present. It is favorable to cross major waters. Do it from three days before the mark and three days after.
This is the judgment of Gu (Repairing Decay), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “crossing the great river” suggests undertaking a difficult but meaningful passage.
Original Chinese text
初六：干父之蛊，有子，考无咎。厉，终吉。
English translation
First Six: Repairing the fatherly disorder brings children, and there is no blame on later reckoning. There is danger, but the end is fortunate.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “danger” calls for vigilance.
Original Chinese text
九二：干母之蛊，不可贞。
English translation
Second Nine: Correcting the maternal disorder should not be held to a fixed, rigid stance.
The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.
Original Chinese text
九三：干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
English translation
Third Nine: Repairing the fatherly disorder brings small regret, but no serious blame.
The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
Original Chinese text
六四：裕父之蛊，往见吝。
English translation
Fourth Six: To augment the fatherly disorder and then go forward brings regret.
The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
Original Chinese text
六五：干父之蛊，用誉。
English translation
Fifth Six: Repairing the fatherly disorder earns praise.
The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
上九：不事王侯，高尚其事。
English translation
Top Nine: Do not serve princes and lords; keep the enterprise at a high and unbending standard.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.