蠱 → 否
Hexagram 18: Work on the Decayed → Hexagram 12: Standstill
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 2, 3, 4, 5).
Line 2
九二 幹母之蠱。不可貞。
Nine in the second place means: Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother. One must not be too persevering.
Line 3
九三 幹父之蠱。小有悔。无大咎。
Nine in the third place means: Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. There will be a little remorse. No great blame.
Line 4
六四 裕父之蠱。往見吝。
Six in the fourth place means: Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father. In continuing one sees humiliation.
Line 5
六五 幹父之蠱。用譽。
Six in the fifth place means: Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One meets with praise.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
中復摧頹，常恐衰微；老復賴慶，五羖為相。
Halfway through, one stumbles and declines, always fearing further decay; yet in old age, blessing comes again -- five ram-skins bought a minister.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind beneath the mountain topples what was built, yet the transformation arrives at heaven and earth's refusal to communicate — Standstill. Midway through life one suffers collapse, constantly fearing further decline. Then in old age, unexpectedly, blessings return: 'Five ram-skins became a minister.' This alludes to Baili Xi, the sage who was sold into slavery for five ram-skins before Duke Mu of Qin recognized his worth and made him chief minister. From Work on the Decayed to Standstill, the paradox is instructive: even when heaven and earth cease their exchange, the hidden worthy endures. Baili Xi's rise from bondage mirrors the hexagram's counsel — in times of stagnation, inner virtue quietly preserves itself until circumstance turns.
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