Hexagram 63
After Completion
既济 (Jì Jì)
Water over Fire
The image is of Water over Fire, the perfect arrangement for cooking. This symbolizes a state of perfect balance, harmony, and order. Every line is in its correct place. An arduous task has been successfully completed, and a peak of equilibrium has been reached. It represents the moment of arrival after a long and difficult journey.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (彖传)
The Judgment acknowledges the success of having reached a state of perfect order. Now is a time for managing the details. However, it contains a critical warning: this state of perfection is inherently static and thus unstable. Any change from this point will be a decline. While there was good fortune in achieving this state ("the beginning"), complacency will inevitably lead to chaos ("the end"). Perseverance is needed to maintain the balance for as long as possible.
The Image (象传)
The superior man, observing this precarious state of perfect balance, does not relax. He understands that every peak is followed by a decline. Therefore, he uses this time of peace and order to contemplate potential future problems and to prepare for them. He remains vigilant, knowing that the seeds of future chaos are often sown during times of greatest success, through complacency and neglect.
Interpretation & Guidance
You have achieved your goal. A task is complete, and a state of order and balance has been reached. Celebrate this success, but do not become complacent. This moment of perfection is difficult to maintain. Your primary work now is not to begin new, grand adventures, but to carefully manage and preserve what you have accomplished. Be vigilant. Think about what could go wrong and take preventative measures. Your continued success depends on your caution and your ability to maintain the delicate equilibrium.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Nine at the Beginning (初九)
Bottom line - Yang
"He drags his wheels. He gets his tail in the water. No blame."
Just after completing the crossing, you wisely apply the brakes to stop your momentum. This initial caution prevents you from rushing headlong into a new situation and getting into trouble. It is a blameless and correct form of restraint.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"The woman loses the curtain of her carriage. Do not run after it. On the seventh day you will get it back."
You suffer a minor loss or setback. Do not become agitated or waste your energy trying to recover it immediately. Remain calm and centered. If you are patient, what was lost will be restored to you naturally in due course.
Nine in the Third Place (九三)
Third line - Yang
"The Illustrious Ancestor subjugated the devil's country. After three years he conquered it. Inferior people should not be employed."
This refers to a great and difficult undertaking that has been successfully completed after a long struggle. The warning is that to maintain this hard-won order, you must be very careful about who you trust. Employing corrupt or inferior people will quickly undermine your success.
Six in the Fourth Place (六四)
Fourth line - Yin
"The finest clothes turn to rags. Be careful all day long."
This is a strong warning against complacency. Even in a time of peak success, the seeds of decay are present. You must remain constantly vigilant, guarding against the small signs of decline. Otherwise, your good fortune will unravel.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"The neighbor in the east who slaughters an ox does not attain as much real happiness as the neighbor in the west with his small offering."
At a time of completion, elaborate and ostentatious displays of success are less meaningful than simple, sincere acts of gratitude. True good fortune lies in genuine piety and heartfelt simplicity, not in showy extravagance.
Top Six (上六)
Top line - Yin
"He gets his head in the water. Danger."
The journey across the river is complete, but through arrogance or carelessness, you do not stop on the bank. You continue on and fall into danger. This represents the disorder that inevitably follows completion if one does not know when to stop and becomes complacent.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
The relationship has reached a point of beautiful equilibrium and harmony. You have "arrived" as a couple. This is a moment to be cherished. However, the greatest danger now is taking this stability for granted. The work is not over; the task now is to maintain this balance through continued care, attention, and vigilance against the small problems that can arise from complacency.
Career & Business (事业)
A major project has been brought to a successful conclusion, or the company has reached a peak of stability and order. The time for heroic effort is past. Now is the time for careful administration and maintenance. The leader's role is to preserve the existing success and to be vigilant against the first signs of decay, such as falling standards or employee complacency. Do not launch new, risky ventures.
Health & Wellness (健康)
You have reached your health goal and are in a state of balance. This is a wonderful achievement, but it requires ongoing effort to maintain. The danger is slipping back into old, unhealthy habits. Your focus must now shift from active "fixing" to vigilant maintenance. Be careful all day long with your choices to preserve the good health you have worked hard to achieve.
Financial Matters (财运)
Your finances are in a state of perfect order and balance. You have reached your goal. This is a time of stability, not a time for risky new investments that could upset the equilibrium. The main task now is to manage your assets wisely and to be vigilant against future risks. Consolidate and protect what you have built.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
The lesson of After Completion is the wisdom required to manage success. Growth is not just about striving and achieving; it is also about the maturity to sustain what you have achieved. It means understanding that every peak is precarious and that complacency is the greatest enemy. True wisdom is using times of peace to prepare for future challenges, thereby prolonging the period of good fortune through constant vigilance.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
You have reached the finish line. A goal has been achieved, and things are in order. The time for major action is over. Your focus now must be on maintenance, consolidation, and caution. Tend to the small details to keep the system running smoothly. Be vigilant and prepare for potential future difficulties. Do not let success make you careless.
