Guai · Breakthrough
夬卦 · 泽天夬
- Decision
- Confrontation
- Clearing away
- Resolve
The Judgment
Kwai requires (in him who would fulfil its meaning) the exhibition (of the culprit’s guilt) in the royal court, and a sincere and earnest appeal (for sympathy and support), with a consciousness of the peril (involved in cutting off the criminal). He should (also) make announcement in his own city, and show that it will not be well to have recourse at once to arms. (In this way) there will be advantage in whatever he shall go forward to.
扬于王庭，孚号有厉。告自邑，不利即戎，利有攸往。
The Image
The lake rises up to heaven: breakthrough. The noble one, in the same way, shares their wealth with those below and avoids resting on their virtue.
泽上于天，夬。君子以施禄及下，居德则忌。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
The strength you have built up is now enough to resolve a long-standing problem; it is time to make a decision. Guai is five yang lines pushing out a single yin line, like water rising until it spills over the bank, a symbol of decisively clearing an obstacle. It might be a relationship issue that needs to be confronted, or a decision that is long overdue.
Where to put your effort
Make your decision openly and honestly: bring the issue into the open and explain your reasons clearly. Be firm, but do not resort to force, which would only escalate the conflict. Share the benefits with those around you to win their support. After deciding, stay alert so the problem does not come back.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Fortune is overflowing; sharing your wealth brings good luck.
- Wealth
- Benefit yourself and others; spread wealth and people gather.
- Family
- Guard against floods; a marriage falls through.
- Health
- Regulate your breathing.
Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
The six lines
Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.
Nine at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows its subject in (the pride of) strength advancing with his toes. He goes forward, but will not succeed. There will be ground for blame.Moving
初九：壮于前趾，往不胜为咎。
Image：Going forward without being able to win: this is a mistake.
- Career
- Rushing ahead leads to failure; every move draws blame.
- Wealth
- Running the business carelessly harms both money and self.
- Family
- The ground is too low; the families are mismatched.
- Health
- Watch out for foot problems.
Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows its subject full of apprehension and appealing (for sympathy and help). Late at night hostile measures may be (taken against him), but he need not be anxious about them.Moving
九二：惕号，莫夜有戎，勿恤。
Image：Armed men, but no need to worry: finding the middle way.
- Career
- Be careful in everything and you need not worry.
- Wealth
- Insure your goods and you will have no worries.
- Family
- Guard against fire; an auspicious marriage.
- Health
- Yin deficiency with excess heat; it can be treated.
Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows its subject (about to advance) with strong (and determined) looks. There will be evil. (But) the superior man, bent on cutting off (the criminal), will walk alone and encounter the rain, (till he be hated by his proper associates) as if he were contaminated (by the others). (In the end) there will be no blame against him.Moving
九三：壮于頄，有凶。君子夬夬独行，遇雨若儒，有愠，无咎。
Image：The noble one is resolute: in the end there is no blame.
- Career
- Going your own way invites suspicion.
- Wealth
- Running a business alone takes longer.
- Family
- Repair the house early; it will not work out for now.
- Health
- Rising damp; it can be treated.
Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped, and who walks slowly and with difficulty. (If he could act) like a sheep led (after its companions), occasion for repentance would disappear. But though he hear these words, he will not believe them.Moving
九四：臀无肤，其行次且。牵羊悔亡，闻言不信。
Image：Walking is difficult: the position is not right. Hearing but not believing: hearing is not clear.
- Career
- An unsettled mind; plans are hard to achieve.
- Wealth
- The moment has passed; no profit to be had.
- Family
- Cramped surroundings; it will work out in time.
- Health
- A skin condition; guard against hearing loss.
Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows (the small men like) a bed of purslain, which ought to be uprooted with the utmost determination. (The subject of the line having such determination), his action, in harmony with his central position, will lead to no error or blame.Moving
九五：苋陆夬夬，中行无咎。
Image：Walking the middle way, no blame: the centre is not yet shining.
- Career
- Stay close to good people and everything goes well.
- Wealth
- Sell as soon as possible, or you will regret it.
- Family
- Clean and tidy up; a suitable marriage.
- Health
- Calm your excess energy.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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