I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 24 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 3, 6 to Hexagram 18

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 24.1.2.3.6 -> 18

Old Yin Young Yin Young Yin Old Yin Old Yin Old Yang

24. Return

Yang Yin Yin Yang Yang Yin

18. Correction of Decay

24. Return (復 Fù)

Trigrams

Above
☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive
Below
☳ Zhèn (Thunder) — 雷 · Arousing

The Symbolism of Hexagram 24

Hexagram 復 (Fù) describes a return to origin after decline. It is the reappearance of movement at the base, marking the beginning of a new cycle.

Hexagram 24 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
復，亨，出入无疾，朋來无咎。反復其道，七日來復，利有攸往。
(Fù, hēng, chū rù wú jí, péng lái wú jiù. Fǎn fù qí dào, qī rì lái fù, lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
English Translation:
"Return. Origin and smooth progress. Movement in and out without harm. Companions return: no error. The course turns back on itself; after seven days, return occurs. It is favorable to proceed."

After decline reaches its limit, movement begins again at the base. This return is not forced—it follows a natural cycle.

Because it aligns with the underlying pattern, movement is now possible again. What was lost begins to re-emerge.

Hexagram 24 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
雷在地中，復。先王以至日閉關，商旅不行，后不省方。
(Léi zài dì zhōng, fù. Xiān wáng yǐ zhì rì bì guān, shāng lǚ bù xíng, hòu bù xǐng fāng.)
English Translation:
"Thunder stirs within the earth: return. The superior person closes the passes and restrains movement at the turning point."

The returning force is still contained below the surface. It has not yet emerged fully.

At this stage, external movement is limited. The return must complete internally before outward expansion resumes.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
不遠復，无祗悔，元吉。
(Bù yuǎn fù, wú zhī huǐ, yuán jí.)
English Translation:
"Returning from not far. No regret. Primary favorable outcome."

Deviation is minimal and quickly corrected. The return occurs early.

Because alignment is restored immediately, the outcome is highly favorable.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
休復，吉。
(Xiū fù, jí.)
English Translation:
"Resting return. Favorable outcome."

Return occurs calmly and without force. It settles naturally into place.

Because it is unstrained, it proceeds without error.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
頻復，厲无咎。
(Pín fù, lì wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"Repeated returning. Risk present, no error."

There is instability—movement away and back again.

Though not ideal, continued returning prevents lasting error.

Line 6 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
迷復，凶，有災眚。用行師，終有大敗，以其國君凶，至于十年不克征。
(Mí fù, xiōng, yǒu zāi shěng. Yòng xíng shī, zhōng yǒu dà bài, yǐ qí guó jūn xiōng, zhì yú shí nián bù kè zhēng.)
English Translation:
"Losing the return. Unfavorable outcome. There is damage and error. Acting with force leads to defeat. For ten cycles, recovery cannot be achieved."

The opportunity to return is missed. Movement continues in the wrong direction.

Attempting to force action in this condition leads to significant failure and prolonged disruption.

Changing to:

18. Correction of Decay (蠱 Gǔ)

Trigrams

Above
☶ Gèn (Mountain) — 山 · Stillness
Below
☴ Xùn (Wind) — 風 · Penetrating

The Symbolism of Hexagram 18

Hexagram 蠱 (Gǔ) describes a condition of accumulated disorder—something that has been left unattended and has deteriorated over time. It requires deliberate intervention to restore proper structure.

Hexagram 18 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
蠱，元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，後甲三日。
(Gǔ, yuán hēng, lì shè dà chuān. Xiān jiǎ sān rì, hòu jiǎ sān rì.)
English Translation:
"Correction of decay. Origin and smooth progress. It is favorable to undertake a major transition. Three days before, three days after."

This describes a situation requiring active correction of what has been allowed to degrade. Movement is possible, but only through deliberate effort.

The reference to time indicates preparation and follow-through. Repair is not instantaneous—it requires understanding what led to the condition and sustaining the correction beyond the initial change.

Hexagram 18 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
風行山上，蠱。君子以振民育德。
(Fēng xíng shān shàng, gǔ. Jūn zǐ yǐ zhèn mín yù dé.)
English Translation:
"Wind moves along the mountain: correction of decay. The superior person stirs what is stagnant and cultivates what sustains."

The image shows penetration beneath stillness—movement entering what has become fixed. This reveals underlying disorder.

The response is to activate what has become dormant and rebuild what supports continuity. Correction requires both disruption and renewal.

Peace and wisdom on your journey!

With gratitude,
The I Ching Team