Hexagram 64: Before Completion
Hexagram
64. Before Completion · Wei Ji
Structure of the sign
This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed. The change is indeed already prepared, for all the lines of the upper trigram stand in relationship to those of the lower. Yet they are not yet in their proper places. While the previous hexagram resembles autumn, which forms the transition from summer to winter, this hexagram is like spring, which leads out of the stagnation of winter into the fruitful season of summer. With this hopeful outlook the Book of Changes concludes.
The Judgment
Before Completion. Success. But if the little fox, after almost completing the crossing, gets his tail in the water, there is nothing that would further. The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is a matter of nothing less than leading the world back from confusion to order. Nevertheless, it is a task that promises success, for a goal is present that can unite the divergent forces. Only at first one must proceed quietly and cautiously. One must proceed like an old fox walking over ice. In China, the caution of the fox when walking over ice is proverbial. He always listens for the cracking and carefully and prudently selects the safest places. A young fox, who does not yet know this caution, goes boldly ahead, and so it may happen that he falls in when he is almost across the water and gets his tail wet. Then, of course, the entire effort was in vain. Accordingly, in times before completion, deliberation and caution are the essential conditions for success.
The Image
Fire is above water: the image of the condition before transition. Thus the superior man is cautious in the differentiation of things, so that each finds its proper place. When fire, which presses upward anyway, is above, and water, whose movement is downward, is below, their effects diverge and remain without relationship. If one wishes to achieve an effect, one must first investigate the nature of the forces concerned and what place is proper to them. If one brings the forces into play at the right place, they produce the desired effect, and completion is attained. But to handle external forces properly, it is above all necessary that one adopt the right standpoint oneself. For only from there can one work effectively.
The lines
Line 1
He gets his tail in the water. Humiliating. In times of disorder it is tempting to press forward as quickly as possible in order to accomplish something visible. But this enthusiasm leads to nothing but failure and humiliation, as long as the time has not yet come to achieve something. In such a time it is wise to spare oneself the disgrace of failure through restraint. (Note the difference between this situation and the first line of the preceding hexagram.)
Line 2
He brakes his wheels. Perseverance brings good fortune. Here too the time for action has not yet come. But the patience required must not be an indolent waiting that lives merely from day to day. That would lead to no lasting success. Rather, one must cultivate within oneself the power that enables one to advance. One must, as it were, have a wagon to make the crossing. But one must still brake it. Patience in the highest sense is checked strength. Therefore one must not fall asleep and lose sight of the goal. If one remains strong and steadfast in one's resolve, everything will turn out well in the end.
Line 3
Before completion, attack brings misfortune. It furthers one to cross the great water. The time of transition has arrived. But one lacks the power to complete the crossing. Were one to attempt to force it, that would bring misfortune, precisely because collapse would then be inevitable. What, then, is to be done? A new situation must be created; one must enlist the strength of capable helpers and together with them take the decisive step—cross the great water. Then completion will become possible.
Line 4
Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. Shock to discipline the Devil's Country. For three years there are rewards with great realms. Now is the time of struggle. The transition must be accomplished. One must make oneself thoroughly strong in one's resolve; this brings good fortune. All misgivings that might arise in such grave times of struggle must be silenced. A fierce struggle is required to shake and chastise the Devil's Country, the powers of disintegration. But the struggle also has its reward. Now is the time to lay the foundations of power and dominion for the future.
Line 5▶ ruling line
Perseverance brings good fortune. No remorse. The light of the superior man is true. Good fortune! The victory is won. The power of steadfastness has not been put to shame. Everything has gone well. All doubts are overcome. Success has justified the deed. Anew the light of a noble personality shines forth and asserts itself among people who believe in it and gather around it. The new era, and with it good fortune, is here. And just as the sun shines with double brilliance after rain, or the forest after a fire turns green from the charred ruins with renewed freshness, so the new time stands out all the more brilliantly against the misery of the old.
Line 6
Drinking wine in true confidence. No blame. But if one wets one's head, one loses it in truth. Before completion, on the threshold of the new era, one joins with one's own in complete mutual trust and spends the time of waiting over wine. Since the new era is already immediately at the door, this is no blame. One need only be mindful of the proper measure. If in wantonness one douses one's head, one loses the favorable situation through intemperance. Note: Just as the hexagram 'After Completion' depicts the gradual transition from the time of ascent through the cultural zenith into stagnation, so the hexagram 'Before Completion' depicts the transition from chaos to order. This hexagram stands at the end of the Book of Changes. It points to the fact that in every ending lies a new beginning. Thus it gives humanity hope. The Book of Changes is a book of the future.
Lower ☵ Water (Kan)
- Direction
- N
- Element
- Water · Moon
- Attributes
- Abysmal · Dangerous · Penetrating · Profound
- Family
- Middle Son
Upper ☲ Fire (Li)
- Direction
- S
- Element
- Fire · Sun · Light
- Attributes
- Clarifying · Luminous · Clinging · Conscious · Beautiful
- Family
- Middle Daughter