Hexagram 18
Work on What Has Been Spoiled
蛊 (Gǔ)
Mountain over Wind
Hexagram 18 represents decay that requires correction and the opportunity for renewal through deliberate effort. This hexagram symbolizes situations where stagnation, corruption, or deterioration has set in, demanding careful attention and remedial action. The image shows wind blowing at the base of the mountain, suggesting hidden decay that must be addressed. Like a physician diagnosing illness or a reformer confronting institutional problems, this hexagram calls for courage to face what has gone wrong and the wisdom to implement thoughtful corrections. Success comes through acknowledging problems honestly and working systematically to restore proper order and vitality.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "Work on What Has Been Spoiled has supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three days."
Hexagram 18 addresses the challenging but essential work of correcting decay and restoring what has deteriorated through neglect, mismanagement, or the simple passage of time. This hexagram teaches that confronting problems directly, rather than avoiding them, leads to profound renewal and transformation. The promise of supreme success indicates that addressing corruption or stagnation, though difficult, brings tremendous rewards. The reference to crossing the great water suggests that bold action and significant effort are required, yet the undertaking is both necessary and auspicious. This is not superficial repair but fundamental restoration that addresses root causes of deterioration.
The cryptic instruction about three days before and after the starting point emphasizes the importance of careful preparation and thoughtful follow-through. Before beginning corrective work, one must thoroughly analyze the situation, understand what went wrong, and plan the approach carefully. After initiating reforms, continued attention ensures that changes take root and old patterns do not reassert themselves. This hexagram calls for patience, deliberation, and sustained commitment to the work of renewal, recognizing that true correction cannot be rushed but must be approached with both urgency and wisdom.
The Image (大象传)
君子以振民育德。
Translation: "The wind blows low on the mountain: the image of Decay. Thus the superior person stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit."
The image of wind blowing beneath the mountain represents stagnation and hidden decay that accumulates when energy cannot circulate freely. Just as wind trapped at the mountain's base creates unhealthy conditions, situations left unattended develop problems that fester beneath the surface. The superior person recognizes that decay often results from complacency, lack of movement, or failure to address emerging issues. In hexagram 18, we learn that leadership requires actively stirring people from lethargy, challenging comfortable but deteriorating situations, and inspiring renewal through moral example and energetic action. The image suggests that correction begins with awakening awareness and mobilizing the will to change.
Strengthening the spirit means cultivating virtue and moral clarity as the foundation for all corrective work. The superior person understands that external reforms fail without internal transformation, and that addressing decay requires not just fixing symptoms but nurturing the fundamental qualities that prevent deterioration. This involves education, moral leadership, and creating conditions where people can develop their better nature. By focusing on character development and spiritual renewal alongside practical reforms, lasting change becomes possible and the cycle of decay can be broken permanently.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Six at the Beginning (初六)
Bottom line - Yin
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. If there is a son, no blame rests upon the departed father. Danger. In the end good fortune."
This line addresses inheriting problems from previous generations or predecessors. You face the responsibility of correcting mistakes or decay that originated before your time. Approach this work with respect for what came before while firmly addressing what needs correction. The danger lies in either blindly perpetuating old errors or harshly condemning those who came before. Navigate carefully between honoring tradition and implementing necessary reforms. Your willingness to tackle inherited problems brings ultimate success and honors those who preceded you.
Nine in the Second Place (九二)
Second line - Yang
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother. One must not persevere too rigidly."
Here you encounter decay rooted in excessive gentleness, indulgence, or permissiveness. Correction requires firmness but must be applied with sensitivity and flexibility. Being too harsh or rigid in your reforms will cause more harm than good. The situation demands a middle path that addresses real problems while respecting the nurturing intentions that may have led to current difficulties. Adapt your approach to the specific circumstances, showing both strength and compassion in your corrective efforts.
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. There will be a little remorse. No great blame."
This line indicates overzealous correction that may go slightly too far in addressing inherited problems. Your enthusiasm for reform is commendable, but some of your actions may be excessive or cause minor regrets. While your intentions are good and the overall direction is correct, moderate your approach to avoid unnecessary disruption. Small mistakes in the process of correction are forgivable and do not undermine the essential value of your work. Learn from minor missteps and continue the important work of restoration with slightly more restraint.
Six in the Fourth Place (六四)
Fourth line - Yin
"Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father. In continuing, one sees humiliation."
This line warns against being too lenient or passive when confronting decay. You may be tempted to overlook problems, make excuses for deteriorating conditions, or avoid the difficult work of correction. Such tolerance of decay leads to increasing humiliation and worsening conditions. The situation demands action, not accommodation. Continuing to ignore or excuse what has gone wrong will only deepen the problems and make eventual correction more difficult and painful. Summon the courage to address issues directly rather than hoping they will resolve themselves.
Six in the Fifth Place (六五)
Fifth line - Yin
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One meets with praise."
The ruler's line represents successful correction that brings recognition and honor. You approach the work of reform with the right balance of respect and determination, addressing problems effectively while maintaining dignity and propriety. Your efforts to correct decay are noticed and appreciated by others. This is the ideal position for implementing reforms, as you have both the authority and the wisdom to make necessary changes. Your work restores proper order and earns genuine praise from those who benefit from your corrective efforts.
Nine at the Top (上九)
Top line - Yang
"He does not serve kings and princes, sets himself higher goals."
At the culmination of this hexagram, you transcend worldly concerns about decay and correction, focusing instead on higher spiritual and moral development. Having learned the lessons of addressing deterioration, you now choose to work on self-cultivation rather than external reforms. This is not escapism but a recognition that the most important work is inner transformation. By setting your sights on noble personal goals rather than involvement in worldly affairs, you achieve a different kind of success and contribute to preventing decay through the power of example.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In relationships, hexagram 18 indicates that problems have developed requiring honest acknowledgment and deliberate correction. Perhaps communication has deteriorated, trust has eroded, or unhealthy patterns have become entrenched. This hexagram calls for courage to address these issues directly rather than pretending everything is fine. The promise of supreme success suggests that relationships can be renewed and even strengthened through the difficult work of confronting what has gone wrong. Both partners must be willing to examine their contributions to current problems and commit to genuine change, not superficial adjustments.
For those in troubled relationships, this is a time for serious conversation, possibly with the help of a counselor or therapist who can facilitate honest dialogue. The work of correction requires looking at root causes, not just symptoms. What patterns from your families of origin might you be repeating? What unspoken resentments have accumulated? Address these fundamental issues with both firmness and compassion. The three days before and after suggest taking time to prepare for important conversations and following through on commitments made during them.
Single individuals should examine patterns in past relationships that may need correction before entering new ones. What behaviors or choices have repeatedly led to disappointment? This hexagram suggests doing the inner work of understanding and changing these patterns rather than rushing into another relationship. The decay that needs addressing may be in your own approach to intimacy, your selection criteria, or unresolved issues from your past. Correcting these internal problems now prevents repeating old mistakes and prepares you for healthier future relationships.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 18 signals that workplace problems, organizational dysfunction, or career stagnation require active intervention. You may be inheriting a troubled project, joining a company with systemic issues, or recognizing that your own career has deteriorated through neglect or poor choices. This hexagram promises that addressing these problems directly, though challenging, leads to significant success and advancement. The work may involve reforming inefficient processes, addressing toxic workplace dynamics, or completely restructuring your approach to your career. Whatever the specific situation, avoidance will only worsen conditions while courageous corrective action brings renewal.
For those in leadership positions, this hexagram calls for honest assessment of what is not working in your organization or team. Perhaps standards have slipped, accountability has weakened, or the original mission has been corrupted. Implementing reforms requires both careful analysis and decisive action. Prepare thoroughly before initiating changes, communicate clearly about what needs to improve and why, and follow through consistently to ensure new practices take root. Your willingness to address difficult issues, even when it creates temporary discomfort, establishes you as a leader of integrity and earns respect from those who want the organization to succeed.
Entrepreneurs and business owners must examine whether their ventures have strayed from sound principles or allowed quality to deteriorate. Market pressures may have led to compromises that now threaten long-term viability. This hexagram advises bold action to restore your business to proper functioning, even if this means difficult decisions about products, personnel, or business models. The crossing of great waters suggests significant risk, but the promise of success indicates that fundamental correction, though costly in the short term, positions your business for sustainable prosperity. Address root causes rather than applying superficial fixes to symptoms of deeper problems.
Health & Wellness (健康)
Health-wise, hexagram 18 indicates that neglect or poor habits have led to deteriorating physical or mental wellbeing that now demands serious attention. You may have ignored warning signs, postponed necessary medical care, or allowed unhealthy patterns to become entrenched. This hexagram calls for honest assessment of your health situation and commitment to genuine corrective action, not quick fixes or superficial changes. The promise of supreme success suggests that even significant health problems can be addressed effectively if you approach them with determination and follow through consistently. Consult qualified healthcare providers and commit to their recommendations fully.
The work of health restoration requires addressing root causes of deterioration. If stress has compromised your wellbeing, examine the life circumstances creating that stress and make necessary changes. If poor diet or lack of exercise has led to health problems, implement sustainable lifestyle modifications rather than temporary crash programs. The instruction about three days before and after emphasizes preparing mentally for health changes and maintaining new habits long enough for them to become established. Lasting health improvement comes through fundamental shifts in how you care for yourself, not through sporadic efforts or wishful thinking.
Mental and emotional health may particularly need attention under this hexagram. Depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues that have been ignored or inadequately treated require proper professional care. The decay addressed by hexagram 18 often includes deterioration of mental wellbeing through accumulated stress, unresolved trauma, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. Seeking therapy, addressing substance use issues, or making necessary life changes to support mental health are all forms of the corrective work this hexagram recommends. Your willingness to confront these issues honestly and work systematically toward healing brings profound renewal and restoration of vitality.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 18 reveals that poor money management, accumulating debt, or deteriorating financial discipline requires immediate corrective action. You may have allowed spending to exceed income, neglected important financial planning, or made investment decisions that have led to losses. This hexagram promises that addressing these problems directly, though requiring sacrifice and discipline, leads to financial recovery and eventual prosperity. The work involves honest assessment of your complete financial situation, creating a realistic plan for correction, and following through with consistent effort. Avoiding or minimizing financial problems only allows them to worsen and become more difficult to resolve.
The corrective work may involve difficult steps such as creating and adhering to a strict budget, addressing debt through systematic repayment, or making lifestyle changes to reduce expenses. You may need to seek help from a financial advisor or credit counselor who can provide objective guidance and accountability. The three days before and after suggest thoroughly preparing before implementing financial changes and maintaining new disciplines long enough for them to become habitual. Small corrections made consistently over time compound into significant financial improvement, while dramatic but unsustained efforts typically fail to produce lasting change.
For those managing business finances or investments, this hexagram indicates that financial strategies or practices have deteriorated and require fundamental reform. Perhaps risk management has become lax, financial controls have weakened, or investment approaches have strayed from sound principles. Restore proper financial discipline through careful analysis of what has gone wrong, implementation of appropriate controls and procedures, and consistent adherence to sound financial principles. The promise of crossing great waters successfully suggests that bold financial decisions made to correct fundamental problems, though risky, lead to renewed prosperity when approached with wisdom and determination.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 18 represents a crucial opportunity for profound personal transformation through honest self-examination and correction of character flaws or destructive patterns. You may recognize that certain aspects of your personality, habitual behaviors, or ways of relating to the world have become problematic or are holding you back from becoming your best self. This hexagram calls for the courage to confront these issues directly, the wisdom to understand their origins, and the determination to make genuine changes. The work of self-correction is among the most challenging undertakings, but it brings the deepest rewards in terms of personal development and life satisfaction.
The process of personal correction often involves examining patterns inherited from family or culture that no longer serve you well. Like the lines about correcting what has been spoiled by father or mother, you must respectfully but firmly address conditioning that has led to current difficulties. This might involve working with a therapist to understand and change deep-seated patterns, engaging in serious spiritual practice to transform consciousness, or deliberately cultivating virtues to counter problematic tendencies. The key is addressing root causes rather than merely managing symptoms, and maintaining effort long enough for real transformation to occur.
The highest expression of this hexagram in personal growth is represented by the top line's focus on self-cultivation rather than external achievement. Having done the work of correcting obvious problems and destructive patterns, you can turn attention to positive development of character and consciousness. This involves setting high standards for yourself, pursuing wisdom and virtue for their own sake, and becoming a person of integrity and depth. Your personal transformation then naturally influences others through example rather than through direct intervention in their affairs, preventing decay in your sphere of influence through the power of embodied wisdom and authentic presence.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing indicated by hexagram 18 is critical for addressing problems that have been developing or worsening. This is not a moment for hesitation or hoping issues will resolve themselves. Decay that is not addressed continues to spread and deepen, making eventual correction more difficult and costly. Act now with determination and thoroughness, but also with the careful preparation and sustained follow-through that the hexagram emphasizes. The three days before beginning corrective work should be used for honest assessment, planning your approach, and gathering necessary resources or support. Rushing into correction without adequate preparation often leads to incomplete or ineffective results.
Your approach to correction should balance firmness with flexibility, determination with sensitivity. Different situations require different degrees of force in addressing decay. Some problems demand bold, decisive action while others need gentle, patient reformation. Assess each situation individually and adapt your methods accordingly. The common thread is honest acknowledgment of what has gone wrong and genuine commitment to making it right. Avoid both the extremes of harsh, rigid reform that creates new problems and weak, permissive tolerance that allows decay to continue. Find the middle path of principled but compassionate correction.
The ultimate advice of hexagram 18 is to embrace the work of correction as an opportunity for renewal and growth rather than viewing it as punishment or failure. Every situation of decay contains the seeds of transformation if approached with the right attitude and effort. By addressing what has been spoiled, you create space for fresh growth and new possibilities. The promise of supreme success is not empty reassurance but recognition that those who courageously confront problems and work systematically to correct them achieve profound and lasting positive change. Trust in the process of renewal and commit fully to the work of restoration.