Hexagram 18 · Repairing the Spoiled
Gu
Upper Mountain (Gen) · Lower Wind (Xun)
Judgment
The Work on What Has Been Spoiled (Gu) has supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great river. Before the beginning, three days; after the beginning, three days.
Lines
- First line (1): Six at the beginning: Setting right the corruption caused by the father. If there is a son, the father will have no blame. Though severe, it is ultimately auspicious.
- Second line (2): Nine in the second place: Setting right the corruption caused by the mother. One must not be too firm.
- Third line (3): Nine in the third place: Setting right the corruption caused by the father. There will be small regrets, but no great blame.
- Fourth line (4): Six in the fourth place: Tolerating the corruption caused by the father. If one goes forward, one will encounter humiliation.
- Fifth line (5): Six in the fifth place: Setting right the corruption caused by the father. One gains praise.
- Top line (6): Top nine: He does not serve kings or princes. He sets his own high purpose.
In Practice
Repairing the Spoiled shows wind below a mountain: decay that has settled into what was once solid. It is the hexagram of corruption, neglect, and the work of correction. The image is of something spoiled that has been left too long — a neglected project, an inherited problem, a habit gone wrong. The teaching is that repair is possible, but only through honest diagnosis and sustained work. You must first see clearly what is broken, then labor patiently to set it right, without blaming and without shrinking from the mess.
In love
There is damage in the relationship that has been left unaddressed, and it will not heal by ignoring it. Name the problem honestly and begin the slow work of repair. This is not about assigning blame but about restoring what has decayed.
In career
You have inherited a mess — a failing project, a broken process, a demoralized team. Diagnose it honestly before acting, then fix it patiently. Quick patches will not hold; the decay must be cleaned at the root.
In money
Past neglect — unexamined debts, poor habits, a neglected portfolio — now needs correction. Audit honestly, then repair systematically. The work is tedious, but it is the only way back to health.
Guidance
Look squarely at what has spoiled, without blame and without flinching. Diagnose the rot, then repair it patiently and thoroughly. What is broken can be mended, but only by honest, sustained work.
Watch out
Avoiding the mess lets it deepen, while blaming others wastes the energy needed to fix it. The work of repair is yours to begin, whatever its origin.
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