Diverging. The Shadow Lands.
Wise Words! Serving through the Small opens the Way.
Step outside the norms and re-imagine the situation. Actively reconcile conflicts. Bring out the hidden agendas. Beware of imposing ideas; attempting to take immediate material advantage, need for direct control. Be prepared to learn something valuable.
The Image
The old characters show the Sun and the hero Yi the Archer who shot down the ten suns that threatened to destroy the world by fire.
Circle of Meanings
Opposition, discord, arguments, conflict; step outside the norms; meetings with hidden energies; change conflict to fertile tension through dealing with the shadow; recognizing the other as truly other and of equal worth. Inner self-reflection now leads to finding real directions in life. Heart Theme: 63 Co-operate with the ongoing process of change.
Spirit Helpers
Fire above the Lake. Middle Daughter and Youngest Daughter, the Visionary and the Mediator, are reconciling inner ideas and outer awareness. This is a time of opposition, discord and exclusion. Deal with it by honoring the different values of both sides. Separate and clarify things while acknowledging their essential connection. Change conflict into dynamic tension by dealing with the hidden agendas. Small things are important now. Be open to new ways of seeing. You must adapt to each thing and not impose your will. This enables you to clarify things and set the conflicting viewpoints into creative tension. Join things and separate them through real awareness. The people of this world are different but are busy with the same things. If you look at both what connects people and what separates people you can connect to what is truly great.
Voice of the Mothers
Turn conflict into creative tension by dealing with the shadow. Be flexible and adaptable. Separate and clarify things. Inner self-reflection now leads to finding real directions in life. Present your position carefully and retreat from open conflict (6). Do not try to clear the sources of collective nourishment (27).
Outside the dwelling, exposed to the night, kui, diverging points at the bright presence of the star mansions: the Ghost Cart (Yugui) that presides over punishments, executions and dire fates, the Heavenly Horse and the Heavenly Swine, the Man leading the Ox, the Bow and Arrow, the Orphan or Fox. The atmosphere is autumnal, for the rains are here and the gates of winter are closing. This is the sun and moon in opposition and, metaphorically, the minister cut off and exiled from the royal presence. It is all things outside, wai: isolation, danger, foreigners, wilderness, punishments, the Demon Country. It suggests strange visions and chance meetings with important spirit beings: the Primal Father, Yi the Archer and the Dark Lord of the Crooked Path. This is the world of the Wu Gui, the Intermediaries who deal with angry ghosts and spirits. The name of the figure links with the character for the last day of the ten-day week when divinations were performed for ghosts and demons coming from the Four Hidden Lands. A related character shows waters running from the Four Directions into the Earth Pit and the Ghost River. The lines of the figure center on the terms see (jian) and meet, (yu). It is a pun on gui, ghost, the spirits of the newly dead whose breath is insidious and harmful. Transforming the negative power of the ghost world into a creative tension with the living is the job of the Wu Gui or Shaman of the Shadows.
Summer (38): Ripen the fruits. Do not worry over what seems gone. It will return by itself. Stay clear and connected.
Fall (64): Harvest the crop by letting the past dissolve. Celebrate your accomplishments. Start slowly and join with others. This begins a new time.
Winter (40): Find the seed of the new by freeing creative energy from past patterns. Be vigorous. Talk to your trusted advisors. You are in the right position. Put things in order even if you have to move slowly.
Spring (54): Rouse new growth by leaving the old ways behind. Stay in your new group. Seek real alliances. Let yourself be led. Things may look dangerous, but have no fear. Everything you want is there.
Voice of the Fathers
This is a Realizing Figure and a Heart Theme of Change. It is a Mission of the stage of the Symbolic Life when we struggle to found an individual dwelling, family and career.
The Situation: A time of conflict between two points of view with diverging objectives and loyalties.
Caring for Others: You cannot seek unity or find a common goal now, but you can seek complementarities and a synthesis of qualities that leads to creative change. Respect the real difference between the opposing parties and avoid open conflict. This is not a stable situation but it can lead to real learning and growth.
Setting Intentions: Make short term plans only that emphasize the stimulating exchange of ideas. Do not make a major commitment of resources.
Communication and Interaction: Do not impose your ideas. Create the atmosphere for a rewarding exchange of perspectives and information without an attempt to control or take advantage.
Change from the Inside Out: Create a solid basis for long term cooperation. Exchange of ideas is creative, but make no plans. Beware of delusions. Be prepared to shift basic assumptions and carry them on to a new situation. Question assumptions and avoid heavy handedness.
- Immediate Future: conflict and discord.
- Personal Development: deal with your ghosts by truly recognizing them.
- Working within the Family: withdraw projections. Do not try to convince anyone.
- Expanding the Circle: reconcile opposing viewpoints.
- Partnership: don’t try to change your partner. Honor difference.
Pairing: Bringing Change to Life
Each hexagram is part of a Pair that that activates the hidden paths of transformative energy through the interaction of the trigrams or Spirit Helpers, connecting phases of Inspiration and Realization. You are in the Realizing phase of this Pair. .
The transformative process of the Pair 37:38 Dwelling People and Diverging gives you the ability to develop security and family feeling and the courage to venture outside it.
Outer to Inner: The process transforms the Matchmaker, the outer world trigram of 37 into the Mediator in the inner world of 38. This turns your need to influence the world into inner self reflection.
Inner to Outer: This interiorisation shifts the Visionary trigram from the inner world of 37 to the outer world of 38, turning inner guidance into the ability to find real directions in life.
Transforming Lines
Mothering Change presents Transforming Lines as Steps of Change that show you where and how to focus your energy. Click on the links to connect with the Relating Figure generated by each line.
Inner World
Diverging. The Shadow Lands. The cause for sorrow disappears.
You lose your horse. Do not pursue it. It returns to its origin of itself.
You see the Hateful People. This is not a mistake.
Hold back for now. Keep your mind and heart warm and clear. Stay where you feel secure. Harmony and strength will return of themselves. You will find the spirit and intelligence to carry all before you. Gather energy for the decisive new move. (64 Not Yet Crossing)
You meet the Hidden Lord of the Crooked Path. This is not a mistake.
In an unexpected way you meet someone or something of great importance. Let this influence enter your heart. Though you may feel your gifts are small, bite through the obstacles to union. Act from your heart. You can create a warm and inspiring atmosphere. Care for other people. Gather energy for a decisive new move. (21 Biting Through)
You see your cart pulled back and your cattle hobbled,
the Branded Man with his nose cut off.
What you initiate will not be completed.
You tried to force your way through and met strong opposition. Nothing will come to fruition now. Stay where you are secure and re-dedicate yourself to what great. This will reverse what feels like an oppressive situation. Concentrate what you have and offer it to your highest ideals. Be resolute and part from the past. You are connected with a creative force. (14 Great Being)
Outer World
Diverging alone.
You meet the Primal Father, mingle and connect to the spirits.
Adversity, the hungry souls and angry ghosts. This is not a mistake.
Though you are alone and isolated, you will soon encounter something truly inspiring. Join with this even if it is difficult. Cut through past pain and sorrow. Make sure your house is in order. This calls for honest repentance of past mistakes. The center of life is moving now and you are a part of it. You will soon find a real friend and lose a false one. Be open and provide what is needed. (41 Diminishing)
The cause for sorrow disappears.
You see the ancestors eating flesh.
How could going on like this be a mistake?
Deep powers are reaching out to you to confer their energy and spirit. You will be returned to the flow like an animal led on a leash. Forget glory and achievement now and give openhandedly to those around you. Do not impose yourself. Be decisive now and part from the past. Step out to meet the new destiny. Gather energy for the decisive new move. (10 Treading)
Diverging alone.
You see Heavenly Swine covered with muck, the Chariot of Dead Souls.
First you stretch the bow, then you loosen the bow.
These you confront are definitely not outlaws. Seek a marriage alliance.
Going on you meet the rain. Wise Words! The Way will open.
You see those around you as dirty pigs and old ghosts. Drop the hostility and seek an alliance. These are the first steps on the path to union. Stay within the security of your dwelling and count on the new connections. The old way is an empty womb. You can speak freely now for nothing is lacking. If you let yourself be led you can realize the hidden potential. Co-operate with the ongoing process of change. (54 Marrying Maiden)