I Ching hexagram 64

I Ching hexagram 64: Before Completion

未济 wèi jì · fire above water

A young fox nearly across the river wets its tail: you are close, so do not rush the last stretch.

The judgment: Success. The young fox has almost crossed, then gets its tail wet. Nothing is favorable.
"Wei Zi intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies). (We see) a young fox that has nearly crossed (the stream), when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way."
James Legge's translation, 1882
What it says to you: Fire burns above water, each pulling away from the other, and every line sits in the wrong place: nothing has settled yet. The book ends here, unfinished, which tells you something. The judgment's picture is a young fox that has nearly crossed the river and gets its tail wet on the last stretch. There is success ahead, but nothing is gained by rushing the final steps. Your matter is close, closer than it feels, and this is exactly where carelessness costs most. Hold the wheels back, as line two says, and test the footing. Line four shows a long effort, three years against the Demon Land, finally rewarded by a great state. Line six allows a toast, as long as you do not soak your head in the wine. Finish carefully; the far bank is near.

Matter by matter

Love: Not settled yet, but promising. Be patient and careful; do not rush the last step.
Work: Nearly there. Finish with care; haste or early celebration spoils it.
Money: Gains are close but not secured. Stay cautious until the deal fully closes.
A yes or no question: Wait. Not yet across; prepare and finish carefully before committing.

The six lines of Before Completion

A hexagram is built from the bottom up, so the first line is the lowest. You read a line's text only when your cast made it a moving line.

Bottom line, broken

It gets its tail wet. Humiliation.

You started across too soon, before you knew how deep the water was. Pull back and save face. Small embarrassment now is better than being swept away.
Second line, solid

He drags back his wheels. Steadiness brings good fortune.

You have strength, but the time is not right to use it. Hold back and stay steady. Restraint now, while you prepare, is what makes the later crossing possible.
Third line, broken

Not yet across. Pressing on brings misfortune. It pays to cross the great river.

You cannot finish this the way you are going. Do not push forward blindly. Change your approach, find a different way across, and the crossing becomes possible.
Fourth line, solid

Steadiness brings good fortune; regret goes away. With the force of thunder he attacks the Demon Land; after three years he is rewarded by the great state.

Now is the time for a sustained, determined effort. It will be long and hard, but committed work will be rewarded. Doubts fade once you throw yourself into it fully.
Fifth line, broken

Steadiness brings good fortune; no regret. The light of the noble one shines; there is trust. Good fortune.

You have come through, and it shows. Your integrity is visible and people trust you. Enjoy the success; it is earned, and nothing about it needs regret.
Top line, solid

There is trust in drinking wine together; no mistake. But if he soaks his head, trust is lost.

Celebrate the coming success with people you trust. That is right. Just do not overdo it. Losing your head in the celebration throws away the trust you earned.

About hexagram 64

What does I Ching hexagram 64 mean?

Hexagram 64, Before Completion, puts fire above water. A young fox nearly across the river wets its tail: you are close, so do not rush the last stretch. Its judgment reads: Success. The young fox has almost crossed, then gets its tail wet. Nothing is favorable.

Is hexagram 64 a yes or a no?

Wait. Not yet across; prepare and finish carefully before committing.

What does hexagram 64 mean for love?

Not settled yet, but promising. Be patient and careful; do not rush the last step.

What does hexagram 64 mean for work?

Nearly there. Finish with care; haste or early celebration spoils it.

Cast the coins for a new question , or for a straight yes or no, throw the moon blocks

The I Ching reads a moment. For the years of your own life, cast your birth chart; on your chart page you can ask three questions of your own, answered against it, for $2.99.

The judgment and lines are rendered from the Chinese text; the quoted judgment is Legge's 1882 translation, and every other English line is Jade Almanac's own. A cast is a prompt for reflection, not advice about health, money or the law.