After Completion 既濟

After Completion is water above fire, with everything in its place. It asks you to stay alert after success and protect the order you have reached.

What does After Completion mean?

In this sign all six lines are in their proper places: strong lines in strong positions, soft lines in soft ones. Water is above fire, just like a pot coming to the boil. The crossing is complete and the goal has been reached. In your life too, this may be a moment when a task is finished, a problem is solved, or you have reached the order you were waiting for. That is a good thing and worth being glad about. You are seeing the reward for something you worked at for a long time, and perhaps breathing easily for the first time.

But the ancient text gives a warning here: good at the start, disorder at the end. Perfect balance is fragile. Even the smallest neglect is enough to upset it. If the boiling water spills over, it puts out the fire. If the fire burns too hot, it boils the water dry. Relaxing after success and leaving things to run on their own breaks the order. What is asked of you is to stay alert to protect what you have gained. Do not neglect small details. Think ahead about possible problems and take precautions. At peak moments, arrogance and complacency are the greatest dangers. What is complete also goes on living, and it needs tending and feeding. The wise course is to stay watchful even while you rejoice.

The lines

If a line changed (red) in your reading, read only that line. Lines are counted from the bottom up.

1. First line

   He brakes his wheels and gets his tail wet. Acting with caution while everyone else rushes ahead keeps you from mistakes. No blame.

2. Second line

   The woman loses the curtain of her carriage. Do not run after it. It comes back on its own within seven days.

3. Third line

   The Illustrious Ancestor campaigns against the Devil's Country and conquers it in three years. A great undertaking is long and hard. Leave no room in it for people chasing petty gains.

4. Fourth line

   The finest clothes turn to rags. Be careful all day long. Like the crack in a leaking boat, seal up overlooked problems now.

5. Fifth line

   The ox slaughtered by the neighbor in the east does not bring as much blessing as the simple offering of the neighbor in the west. Sincerity, not display, is what has value.

6. Top line

   He gets his head wet. There is danger. Turning back into the water after you have finished the crossing puts you in a hard spot.

Trigrams

Related hexagrams