18. Gu | Repairing Decay
- Line 1 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
蛊：元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。
Translation: 蛊 / Repairing Decay: great success and smooth progress，it is beneficial to cross the great river。先甲三日，后甲三日。.
Reading note: 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.
初六：干父之蛊，有子，考无咎。厉，终吉。
Translation: First Six: 干父之蛊，有子，考no blame。danger; be vigilant，auspicious in the end。.
Reading note: 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.
九二：干母之蛊，不可贞。
Translation: Second Nine: Draft rendering: 干母之蛊，不可贞。.
Reading note: 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.
九三：干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
Translation: Third Nine: Draft rendering: 干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。.
Reading note: 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.
六四：裕父之蛊，往见吝。
Translation: Fourth Six: 裕父之蛊，往见regret or difficulty。.
Reading note: 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.
六五：干父之蛊，用誉。
Translation: Fifth Six: Draft rendering: 干父之蛊，用誉。.
Reading note: 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.
上九：不事王侯，高尚其事。
Translation: Top Nine: Draft rendering: 不事王侯，高尚其事。.
Reading note: 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.