Hexagram 64: Before Completion
By Wendy Zhang, Founder of Solacely · Updated
未濟 · Wèi Jì
Before Completion. Success. The little fox has nearly crossed but wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.
The judgment
亨。小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。
Before Completion. Success. The little fox has nearly crossed but wets its tail. Nothing is favorable.
The image
火在水上，未濟；君子以慎辨物居方。
Fire above water: the image of Before Completion. The noble person carefully distinguishes things and puts each in its proper place.
Fire rises and water sinks; they move away from each other. None of the lines are in their proper places, but each is paired with its correct partner: potential for order exists, not yet realized.
What Before Completion means
Before Completion describes the final stage before success, when things are almost but not yet in order. Every line is in the wrong place, yet each has a correct partner, so potential for harmony exists. The judgment compares this to a young fox crossing a river: nearly across, it wets its tail and loses momentum. Rushing at the end can ruin the effort. The Tuan commentary notes that the yielding line in the center brings success if one proceeds carefully. The Image asks for discernment: sort things carefully and put each in its proper place. Translated into daily life, this hexagram describes transitions, unfinished projects, or situations on the verge of change. It counsels patience, attention to detail, and wise preparation. Avoid overconfidence or careless haste. Steady effort and careful arrangement bring eventual completion. This is a hopeful hexagram: the transition is happening, and success is within reach.
In love and relationships
A relationship may be in transition: almost ready for commitment, or recovering from difficulty. Proceed carefully and communicate clearly. Do not rush the final steps. Singles may be close to meeting someone or understanding what they truly want. Patience brings clarity.
At work
A project is nearly finished or a transition is underway. Check details, organize resources, and avoid hasty conclusions. Success is close but requires a final, careful push. Do not declare victory too early or skip the last reviews. Thoughtful preparation and good sequencing are what ensure a strong finish.
The six lines
Read a line when it is a changing line in your cast (a 6 or a 9).
濡其尾，吝。
He gets his tail wet. Humiliation.
He gets his tail wet: humiliation. Like a young fox that plunges in too early, this weak line at the bottom tries to cross before it has the strength. Not knowing your limits leads to embarrassment. Pause, gather resources and skill, and prepare more thoroughly. Hasty action now brings setbacks that waiting would have avoided.
曳其輪，貞吉。
He brakes his wheels. Persistence brings good fortune.
He brakes his wheels; persistence brings good fortune. This strong central line, though in a yielding place, holds back wisely and slows the cart. Waiting for the right time is strength, not weakness, especially as it serves the yielding ruler above. Steady restraint allows proper preparation, and that patience leads to good fortune.
未濟，征凶，利涉大川。
Before completion, setting out brings misfortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
Before completion, setting out brings misfortune, yet it is beneficial to cross the great river. This weak line in a strong place cannot force progress alone. The answer is to change the approach: get help, gather resources, and then make the larger crossing with support. A decisive transition is possible when you stop trying to push through solo.
貞吉，悔亡，震用伐鬼方，三年有賞于大國。
Persistence brings good fortune; regret disappears. Thunder is used to attack the Demon Territory. In three years there are rewards from the great nation.
Persistence brings good fortune and regret disappears. With thunderous energy he attacks the Demon Territory, and after three years is rewarded by the great state. This strong line has crossed into the upper trigram and is ready for sustained effort. Determination carries you through a long campaign. Keep going; the work will be recognized and rewarded.
貞吉，无悔，君子之光，有孚，吉。
Persistence brings good fortune. No regret. The light of the noble person is sincere. Good fortune.
Persistence brings good fortune, and there is no regret. The light of the noble person shines with sincerity: good fortune. In the ruler’s place, this yielding central line leads with openness and clarity and draws on the strong lines around it. Order is emerging. Continue steadily; your truthfulness is what guides the transition to completion.
有孚于飲酒，无咎，濡其首，有孚失是。
There is trust in drinking wine. No blame. But if he gets his head wet, he loses what is right in that trust.
There is trust in drinking wine together: no blame. But if he soaks his head, that trust is lost. At the end, celebrating what is almost achieved is natural and fine. Excess spoils it. Enjoy the moment with confidence, but stay grounded. Overindulgence or losing control undermines the very trust and integrity you have built.
Advice
Finish carefully and sort each thing into its proper place. Do not rush the final steps.
A question to reflect on
What final steps need my careful attention before something is truly complete?