I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 25 with Changing Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Hexagram 18

Yin Yang symbol, representing balance

Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 25.1.2.3.4.5 -> 18

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

25. Without Distortion

Yang Yin Yin Yang Yang Yin

18. Correction of Decay

25. Without Distortion (無妄 Wú Wàng)

Trigrams

Above
☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative
Below
☳ Zhèn (Thunder) — 雷 · Arousing

The Symbolism of Hexagram 25

Hexagram 無妄 (Wú Wàng) describes action that arises without contrivance. It is movement aligned with what is real, not shaped by intention, projection, or manipulation.

Hexagram 25 Judgment

The Judgment reads:
Original Chinese:
無妄，元亨，利貞。其匪正有眚，不利有攸往。
(Wú wàng, yuán hēng, lì zhēn. Qí fěi zhèng yǒu shěng, bù lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
English Translation:
"Without distortion. Origin and smooth progress. It is favorable to remain correctly aligned. If not correct, there is harm. It is not favorable to move with direction."

Action arises directly from the underlying order. When aligned, movement is clear and effective.

If action is driven by distortion or false intent, it leads to error. In such a condition, proceeding only increases harm.

Hexagram 25 Image

The Image reads:
Original Chinese:
天下雷行，物與无妄。先王以茂對時育萬物。
(Tiān xià léi xíng, wù yǔ wú wàng. Xiān wáng yǐ mào duì shí yù wàn wù.)
English Translation:
"Thunder moves beneath heaven: without distortion. The prior governing system responded fully to the seasons and nourished all things."

Thunder initiates movement; heaven provides overarching order. Together they produce action that is direct and uncontrived.

When aligned with conditions, development occurs naturally, without forcing or manipulation.

Line 1 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
無妄，往吉。
(Wú wàng, wǎng jí.)
English Translation:
"Without distortion. Moving forward brings favorable outcome."

Action is fully aligned. There is no interference from false intent.

Because of this, movement proceeds cleanly and produces a favorable outcome.

Line 2 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
不耕获，不菑畬，则利有攸往。
(Bù gēng huò, bù zī yú, zé lì yǒu yōu wǎng.)
English Translation:
"Without cultivating, there is harvest. Without preparing, there is use. It is favorable to move with direction."

Results arise without artificial effort. This does not mean inaction, but alignment with what already exists.

When conditions are correct, outcomes follow naturally, without forcing.

Line 3 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
无妄之災，或系之牛，行人之得，邑人之災。
(Wú wàng zhī zāi, huò xì zhī niú, xíng rén zhī dé, yì rén zhī zāi.)
English Translation:
"Unintended unfavorable outcome. A tethered animal is taken by a passerby; the passerby gains, the community loses."

Events occur without intention, yet consequences still arise. Outcomes are not always aligned with fairness.

Even without distortion, external conditions can produce imbalance.

Line 4 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
可貞，无咎。
(Kě zhēn, wú jiù.)
English Translation:
"It is possible to remain correctly aligned. No error."

Despite surrounding conditions, alignment can still be maintained.

Holding to what is correct prevents error.

Line 5 Changing

This line reads:
Original Chinese:
无妄之疾，勿藥有喜。
(Wú wàng zhī jí, wù yào yǒu xǐ.)
English Translation:
"An uncaused affliction. Do not intervene; there is resolution."

The disturbance arises without clear cause. Attempting to force a solution may worsen it.

Left alone, it resolves naturally.

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