Hexagram 18: Work on the Spoiled

Hexagram 18, Work on the Spoiled (Gǔ, 蛊), is formed of the upper trigram Mountain (艮) over the lower trigram Wind (巽). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Mountain describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Wind describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of Work on the Spoiled.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 Repairing the father's decay: a worthy heir clears the elder's blame. Danger, then a good end.干父之蛊，有子，考无咎，厉终吉。
• 九二 · Line 2 Repairing the mother's decay: do not be too rigid.干母之蛊，不可贞。
• 九三 · Line 3 Repairing the father's decay: minor regret, no great blame.干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
• 六四 · Line 4 Indulging the father's decay: continuing on brings shame.裕父之蛊，往见吝。
• 六五 · Line 5 Repairing the father's decay with honor and praise.干父之蛊，用誉。
• 上九 · Line 6 Serving no king or lord, pursuing higher purposes.不事王侯，高尚其事。

Reading Hexagram 18 for Your Question

When Work on the Spoiled appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of Work on the Spoiled to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.