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Hexagram 64
Before Completion
未济 · Wèi Jì
Trigram Composition
Upper Trigram
Fire
Lower Trigram
Water
The Judgment (彖)
Before Completion. Success. But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, gets its tail in the water, there is nothing that would further.
The Image (象)
Fire over water. The superior person carefully distinguishes things to give each its proper place.
Meaning
Nothing is yet in its place — everything is still in transition. The final step requires the most caution, like a fox crossing ice. Carelessness at the last moment ruins everything. Yet this incompleteness holds infinite potential.
Advice
You're almost there but haven't arrived yet. Be extremely careful at this final stage — don't get careless. Distinguish clearly between what has been accomplished and what remains. Every ending is also a new beginning.
Keywords
TransitionCautionPotentialCareNew beginning