Main text of the Later Heaven hexagram - 63 Chi Chi - After Completion
After Completion. Success in small matters. Good fortune at the beginning. Disorder likely at the end.
Every line in this hexagram is in the right place, signifying that matters have been brought to completion. With this completion comes success. The good fortune comes at the beginning, when the process of completion is still effective. A hexagram, however, is not static, so by the time the top of the hexagram is reached, and the lines are tending to change to their opposite, disorders are likely to occur. This need not necessarily happen, if new ideas or actions are injected to replace the old. This is what is implied by 'success in small matters,' i.e. when major accomplishments are complete there invariably remain small matters to be taken care of, and timely replacement of outworn details can keep a project stabilized and successful. This naturally requires continual planning and forethought. In human affairs this should be done with firmness and correctness, in great and small matters alike, and in all realms, mental, physical and spiritual. One must bear in mind the law of change: nothing ever remains stationary; all things are either progressing or retrogressing, however slowly. Those with this natal hexagram will exercise much thought, and, in general, will plan well and know the right things to do.
Controlling line of Later Heaven - 1
He brakes his wheels. His tail becomes wet. No error.
This line expresses the conditions at the completion of an enterprise. In I Ching, an important enterprise is usually signified by the expression 'crossing the great water' (or 'stream'). Braking one's wheels and slowing down keeps one from getting needlessly wet when fording the great water. However, it seems that this person is like a fox who gets his tail wet, and consequently has no desire to cross the water again. With matters being completed, it is right to rest and restrict one's activities. However, continued analysis of one's situation is required to keep matters appropriately in hand.
Most auspicious:
He will be knowledgeable and wise, and in a high position. He will take adequate precautions against possible calamities, nipping them in the bud whenever possible, or helping to repair such conditions as may occur after natural disasters. He may be in the legislative branch of government, or associated with an insurance business. He will help keep his country free from troubles. He will have a well-earned reputation and a highly favorable life, and will be loved by many.
Least auspicious:
He will be clever, but lacking in common sense and wisdom. He will often accomplish the wrong things. He will vacillate frequently, and will have few achievements and little lasting profit.
Keynote:
You must continually analyze situations to keep them in hand.
Main text of the inner hexagram of Later Heaven - 64 Wei Chi - Before Completion
Before Completion. Success. The little fox gets his tail wet just before the completion of his crossing. Nothing advantageous.
This hexagram is the exact opposite of hexagram 63, and every line is in the wrong place. Success is augured by virtue of the potential of each line to change, and thereby, through action, bring matters to a successful conclusion. The fox has always been considered a wily and wary animal. When crossing a frozen stream a fox will proceed carefully, listening for possible cracks. Depicted here is a little fox, therefore one that is young and inexperienced. Hence he is not sufficiently wary, and, just before completing the crossing, in his hurry to get across, gets his tail wet. The foregoing shows the possible courses of action before completion. By being correct, by exercising care and prudence, and by using one's potential wisely, success can be attained, and is presaged. However, if one is like the young fox, then nothing will be advantageous, no matter how carefully planned in advance. The three lower lines, on the whole, relate to inadequate experience or insufficient inner worth to produce great success, while the three upper lines bespeak favorableness, and great things about to be accomplished.
