Work on the Decayed (Gǔ)

Judgment

蛊：元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。

Plain Meaning：Repairing decay brings great success; plan three days before the start and consolidate three days after.

Image (Great Commentary)

山下有风，蛊；君子以振民育德。

Line Texts

• 初六干父之蛊，有子，考无咎，厉终吉。

  Correcting the father’s decay—the worthy child clears the blame; danger, yet fortune in the end.

• 九二干母之蛊，不可贞。

  Correcting the mother’s decay—do not be too rigid.

• 九三干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。

  Correcting vigorously—slight regret, no great blame.

• 六四裕父之蛊，往见吝。

  Indulging the decay—going on brings humiliation.

• 六五干父之蛊，用誉。

  Correcting the decay with virtue—praise is won.

• 上九不事王侯，高尚其事。

  Serving no king or lord, holding one’s own work in high honor.

Symbolism

Wind at the mountain’s foot stirring what has spoiled: reform and renewal.

Life Lesson

Face what has decayed head-on; plan before acting and follow through.

Modern Application

A time to fix legacy problems and reform what has stagnated.

Words of Caution

Tolerating decay only deepens it.