Mending Old Damage
gǔ · Mountain over WindTrace the cause before you fix it, and stay for the aftermath.
元亨。利涉大川。先甲三日,後甲三日。
Something has gone rotten, like worms in a bowl, yet mending it can open the way wide. This is a time to cross the big river. Think through what led here and what follows, three days before and three days after.
The six lines
初六:幹父之蠱,有子考,无咎,厲終吉。
You take on the damage your father left. With such a child, the elder bears no blame. It is risky work, but can end well.
九二:幹母之蠱,不可貞。
You are repairing what your mother left. Do not be rigid here. This needs gentleness more than firm correctness.
九三:幹父之蠱,小有悔,无大咎。
You push hard at your father's mess. There may be some small regrets, but no serious fault.
六四:裕父之蠱,往見吝。
You let your father's faults slide, too easy on them. Going on like this leads to regret.
六五:幹父之蠱,用譽。
You set right your father's failures, and your good name grows from it. Others may come to honor the work.
上九:不事王侯,高尚其事。
You no longer serve kings or lords. You step back from the work and hold your own purpose high.
The I Ching is a tool for reflection. Do not use it as the basis for medical, legal or money decisions.