Gu, six in the fourth placeHexagram 18, line 4 · Gu (Repairing Decay) · changing to 50

The line

The Image commentary on this line

裕父之蠱，往未得也。

"Indulging what the father spoiled": in going on he has not yet gained anything.

The small Image commentary is the earliest explanation of the line texts. It usually explains a line from its position: where it stands, whether it holds the center, and which line answers it.

Verdict

慎Proceed with care. There is some risk, or some regret left over, but nothing serious. Notice it early, correct it early, and things turn for the better.

• 吝 humiliation: a small, lingering difficulty that comes from not correcting course

How to read good fortune, misfortune, regret, humiliation and no blame →

Asking about work, love or money

Work

You know there is an old problem, yet you keep leaving it alone, telling yourself you will get to it later. Letting it drag on only makes the rot go deeper, and carrying on like this will leave you embarrassed. Now is the time to act.

Love

You keep putting up with the old problems in the relationship and giving way, unwilling to touch them. Indulge them like this and the faults only grow deeper, and in the end it will be humiliating. What needs raising, raise.

Money

You have been turning a blind eye to old debts and careless spending. Keep indulging them and the hole only gets bigger, until you end up in a sorry state. Don't put it off any longer.

This is how to read it when this is the only changing line. With several changing lines, first see which text governs; for the hexagram as a whole, see Gu.

Line position

A yin line in a yin place: it is in its proper place. Its partner is the first line, which is also yin, so there is no answer from it.

Fourth place: next to the ruler, a place of caution. Serve those above with care.

Proper place, center and correspondence explained →

When you get this line

If this is the only changing line in your cast (three inscribed sides, old yin), this line is your answer. The primary hexagram is Gu (Repairing Decay); when this line changes it becomes Ding (The Cauldron): hexagram 18 changing to 50.

Which text to read with several changing lines →