Above is the trigram Gen (Mountain), below is the trigram Xun (Wind). The metaphorical image of this hexagram is a weak wind stopped by a mountain mass. The energy of the Wind opposes the energy of the Mountain, the Wind stops and cannot continue its movement straight. It’s necessary to change the direction of force application; it makes no sense to charge at the visible obstacle head-on.
In China, it is said that the only real mistake is not correcting your past errors. There is always an opportunity to start acting differently, to draw valuable lessons from difficult experiences, and to continue your life path renewed and wise. After all, we often derive experience from our own mistakes, and the ability to make right decisions comes to us after a series of wrong ones. An alternative understanding of this hexagram is that we might be making the same mistakes as our predecessors (including our parents). Wouldn’t it be better to choose your own Path and deviate from the usual patterns that have guided us until today?
Gu indicates the need to revise life strategy or action strategy in a specific situation. Perhaps, you have been moving successfully for a long time and have achieved significant results, but recently hit a ‘ceiling’ and see no possibility to move further. This might have happened because you got too caught up in current goals and forgot about the result. What is your guiding star in the journey to which you strive?
That is why, despite its rather gloomy name, the hexagram speaks of finding the cause of your difficulties, you will once again find inspiration and success will not be long in coming.