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19 Nearing LIN

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Nearing. The Source of Success: an Advantageous Trial.
Ending it in the Eighth Moon: Trap! The Way closes.

Something important is coming. Think things over very carefully and teach others. Don’t pull back. Beware of over-caution, negativity and fear. Be active, communicate and work hard.

The Image
The old character shows a spirit bending down to pour out blessings through a new descendant to three open mouths that receive it.

Circle of Meanings
Approach of something powerful and meaningful, arrival of the new; a critical point, the moment when positive force comes to the fore; a beneficent spirit or honored person approaches to confer favor and blessing; welcome, be honored with a visit, commanded to come nearer. Heart Theme: 24 Return of the spirit.

Spirit Helpers
Lake below the Earth. Youngest Daughter and Mother, the Mediator and the Midwife, are generating inner stimulation that prepares the outer field. Something great is approaching you now. Welcome it without expectations. Do not try to take immediate advantage. Look at everything with care and sympathy.  This is the point of contact with the new after a difficult time. It is particularly favorable for what is growing. Rushing to completion will leave you open to danger. This is the return of the great. Correct your path to meet it and ponder the deep concerns of the heart. This is Heaven’s way. Work to express it.

Voice of the Mothers
Something great is approaching. Welcome it without grasping. Let it grow and do not rush to completion. This is the point when positive energy emerges. Inner self-reflection now brings a deep faith in the overall processes of life. Dissolve your old identity (59). Do not focus on climbing to a higher level (46).

Nearing describes the ceremonies through which a newly dead parent is turned into an Ancestor. The passion-body or ghost of the departed one is escorted into the tomb through elaborate funeral ceremonies and ritual mourning while the spirit soul released at death is enshrined in an image or tablet in the Ancestral Temple as a connection or doorway to the power above. The ancestor that mounts from this tablet will act as an intermediary, calling down Heaven’s protection and showering blessings on the people. The creation of this power, symbolized as the Ancestor’s Eyes, is surrounded by formal lamentations and the activities of the Wu gui, the Shamans of the Shadow who deal with the excluded and the unquiet dead. Mourners exhaust themselves in these ceremonies, offering rare goods and beautiful bronze vessels. The Crane Dancers literally followed the dead into the Tomb, accompanied by lamentations and cries of triumph. These activities are doubled in the Ritual in the Mourning Hut that begins after the funeral, whereby the child of the Departed One dies to the past in order to assume the stature of an adult. All these rituals are part of an investment in darkness that turns the experience of death into an Ancestor through whom blessings can flow.

Spring (19): Rouse new growth by stripping away the past to find a new guiding image.  Real abundance is nearing now. Be generous. Rise and activate your great purpose.
Summer (41): Ripen the fruits through surrender of personal ambition. Complete things quickly. Clean up mistakes of the past. Do what you have to do. This attracts the new developments.
Fall (4): Harvest the crop by stepping back. Don’t attack the very processes that will give you what you need. Stop and establish your foundations and the fruit will fall into your hands. 
Winter (7): Find the seed of the new. Make sure the rules you set don’t obstruct your real power. The connection is coming. Follow your real goals.

Voice of the Fathers
This is an Inspiring Figure. It is a Transition from the time when we search for personal identity and mission to the stage of the Symbolic Life when our adult name is given through initiation and we connect to the deeper self.

The Situation:  A time of growth, expansion and education.

Caring for Others: An investment of energy now will yield results that provide for future times of decline. Take advantage of the upswing in creative energy by focusing on teaching, training and inner development. Use your accumulated strength and understanding to develop potentials on all levels.

Setting Intentions: Emphasize learning and developing skills. Expand activity and activate new ideas. Growth now will be rapid and successful.

Communication and Interaction: Open communication is highly beneficial. Encourage collaboration and consultation. People are receptive to the projects you favor. Illuminate things. Promote interactive communication.

Change from the Inside Out: Put your ideas forward. Take risks. Act quickly. Short term improvements are highlighted. New initiatives are very auspicious. Your creative judgment is excellent now. New ideas will be favorably received. Put energy into the way you present things and your powers of persuasion. Seek support from the right people and expect very positive results.

  • Immediate Future: something favorable is approaching.
  • Personal development: have faith in deep processes. Let them do the work.
  • Working within the Family: offer inspiration then let it do its job.
  • Expanding the Circle: teach and train, develop central ideas.
  • Partnership: a deep bond is close. Be patient. Cultivate openness.

Pairing: Bringing Change to Life
Each hexagram is part of a Pair that that activates hidden paths of transformative energy through the interaction of the trigrams or Spirit Helpers, connecting phases of Inspiration and Realization. You are in the Inspiring phase of this Pair.

The transformative process of the Pair 19:20 Nearing and Viewing develops the patience to wait on a new spirit and the insight to see how it manifests.

Outer to Inner: The process shifts the power of the Midwife trigram from the outer world of 19 to the inner world of 20, turning your abstract faith in the process of life into deep inner devotion.

Inner to Outer: This interiorisation transforms the Mediator trigram in the inner world of 19 into the Matchmaker trigram in the outer world of 20.  This turns inner self-reflection into the ability to find a place where you can influence the world you live in.

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

Step 1 Beginnings: This return of the spirit attracts a new fate.
A conjunction is Nearing.
Trial: Wise Words! The Way is open.
An inspiring connection comes nearer that belongs with you like the parts of a separated whole. The armies set out from here so do not obstruct their power with old forms and old thoughts Look into this deeply and measure yourself against the ideal of the Realizing Person who seeks to live life in accord with the flow. Something significant is returning. Be open and provide what is needed. (7 Legions)

Step 2 Inner Center: This inner re-organization leads to harmony with others.
A conjunction is Nearing.
Wise Words! The Way is open. Nothing not advantageous.
An inspiring connection comes nearer that belongs with you. This will benefit everything. Relax your grip and return to the flow. You will obtain the favor of the noble women and their secret connections. Look into this deeply. Measure yourself against the ideal of the Realizing Person, one who seeks to live life in accord with the Way. Be open and provide what is needed. (24 Returning)

Step 3 Threshold: This inner re-balancing lets you make your way in life.
Sweetness is Nearing, but there is no advantageous direction.
If you are already grieving, there will be no mistake.
This influence is not right for you. Let it go. Accept the hardship and drudgery and have no cares. You will soon find all you need. There is a real mission in this situation that you can cultivate in your retreat. You will soon see the new city shining. Step outside the norms and re-imagine the situation. Co-operate with the ongoing process of change. (11 Pervading)

Outer World

Step 4 Arrival: This inner preparation leads to what is greater.
The climax is Nearing.
Release the spirit. This is not a mistake.
Give yourself fully to this influence. Draw out this encounter to find the right time to act. Firmly resist the temptation to act impulsively. Do not let your relationships fall apart through unconsidered action. Look into the origins of things and you will know the right time to act. Step outside the norms and re-imagine the situation. Co-operate with the ongoing process of change. (54 Marrying Maiden)

Step 5 Outer Center: This inner re-grouping lets your real purpose shine.
Knowledge is Nearing proper to a Great Leader.
Wise Words! The Way is open.
You can use this influence to be of real help to others. Leave your usual sources of support and flee to the hidden springs of change. Look at things with a woman’s eye and articulate the new time with grace and elegance. You will be praised and rewarded. Be open and provide what is needed. (60 Articulating)

Step 6 Culmination: This inner stripping leads to a breakthrough.
Generosity and wealth are Nearing.
Wise Words! The Way opens. This is not a mistake.
Be generous with what you acquire and your desires will be fulfilled. This will not diminish you, it will augment you. Arouse and activate the great within. Watch the small things and let what you see move you for they presage the great change. Something important is returning now. Be open and provide what is needed. (41 Diminishing)