I Ching Oracle / Hexagrams / 18
The Judgement
Supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three days.
Repairing long-accumulated decay at its root.
The Image
The wind blows low on the mountain; the noble one stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.
This hexagram on ten matters
- WorkCAREER
- Long-accumulated decay must be dealt with. Setting right what was spoiled by the father: you are clearing a mess you did not make, and it takes both time and method.
- LoveRELATIONSHIP
- An old problem surfaces. Stir up the people and strengthen their spirit — rather than assigning blame, build a new way of relating.
- MoneyFINANCE
- There are old accounts to settle. Three days before, three days after — leave buffer on both sides; do not try to fix it in one move.
- HealthBODY
- Long-standing habits are showing up in the body. This is chronic, not acute, and early adjustment still works.
- StudyLEARNING
- What you skipped must now be made up. Tolerating what was spoiled brings humiliation — delay only makes it harder.
- An examEXAM
- Old gaps need filling. Unrepaired weaknesses surface all at once in the exam; there is still time to fix them.
- PeopleSOCIAL
- Time to address an old sore spot with someone. The moment is right, but be gentle: praise works, reproach does not.
- A choiceDECISION
- Repair before deciding. Nothing built on a bad foundation stands.
- TravelJOURNEY
- Go; it furthers one to cross the great water. But fix what needs fixing before departure.
- A lost itemLOST ITEM
- Buried under long-accumulated clutter. Use this as the occasion to clear out; it will surface during the clean.
The Six Lines
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. If there is a son, no blame rests upon the departed father. Danger, but in the end good fortune.
Setting right what the father spoiled; the departed is freed of blame. Clearing an inherited mess. Risk in the process — done right, even the predecessor is absolved.
Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother. One must not be too persevering.
Setting right what the mother spoiled; one must not be too persevering. Some decay cannot be forced. Excessive firmness makes it worse.
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. There will be a little remorse. No great blame.
Setting right what the father spoiled; a little remorse. Overapplied force. The remorse is minor because the direction was right and only the method was hasty.
Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father. In continuing one sees humiliation.
Tolerating what the father spoiled; continuing brings humiliation. Appeasement. The line most to be avoided: knowing the problem and choosing delay.
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One meets with praise.
Setting right what the father spoiled; one meets with praise. Reform through standing rather than force. The most elegant solution: people cooperate willingly.
He does not serve kings and princes; sets himself higher goals.
He does not serve kings and princes; he sets himself higher goals. Withdrawing from the whole business. Not participating, and spending the effort elsewhere, is also an answer.
The governing line
Nuclear · Opposite · Reverse
The nuclear hexagram shows the middle stretch of the matter; the opposite is the same situation seen from the reverse position; the reverse is the view from the other party's side.