The Five-Phase I Ching

(Copyright © 2003 C. J. Lofting)

Five-Phase and the I Ching - EARTH | FILTRATION | SPLEEN

Continuing the analysis of five-phase theory within the context of the I Ching, we here focus on phase three - the activity of filtering. The nature of filtration as represented in the I Ching is determined by the trigrams of Earth and Mountain. Filtration is controlled by Production and controls Consumption. It is supported by Distribution (follows on from it) and supports Exchange.

The concept of filtering is fundamental to our species and is reflected at the level of consciousness in the form of every religious or pseudo-religious/philosophical text ever written. The Bible, the Koran, the Tao Te Ching, are all documents of 'filtering' in the form of a focus on 'quality'. Our education systems add to these in the form of education for the sake of socialisations - we learn the 'rules' and as such apply those rules in accepting for exchange and consumption the products made in WOOD and distributed through FIRE. (at the species level, filtering is in the form of instincts and habits that allow the context to push us where the filtering ensures 'good' instincts/habits allowing us to function smoothly in a context)

The trigram, and its refinement in the hexagram, of Earth focuses attention on devotion and a trust in another/others. This focus on a belief system means the 'rules' of filtering are in that system and not of one's choice. If the Bible says 'dont' then dont. In Earth, besides the focus on devotion, is the property of negation, of 'darkness' where the devotion can act to compensate for internal 'darkness' - one seeks to bring in an 'light' to nurture within.

The trigram, and its refinement in the hexagram, of Mountain focuses attention on blockage and being discerning. Here the choice IS yours in that experience aids in the making of judgments in filtering - as we age so we mature and so learn to be 'discerning', we focus on quality. [Help in understanding hexagram layouts]

In the I Ching, for the context of the Earth trigram [Earth as the base trigram in a hexagram] and a focus on devotion to a belief system that 'sets the rules' of filtering, we have eight hexagrams. They are (in sheng cycle five-phase ordering WOOD, FIRE, EARTH, METAL, WATER):

EARTH - The Realm of Filtering [Earth, The Receptive - rules, faith, instincts, the given]

"[God] causes [people] to serve one another in the sign of the Receptive"

16 Enthusiasm Foresight, Preparing In a context of devotion we utilise awareness. "YU : ready, prepared for, prearrange, take precaution, think beforehand; satisfied, contented, at ease. The ideogram: son and elephant, careful, reverent, and very strong."ERANOS p232

The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (through belief, given rules). The trigram of Thunder reflects raw Production. Filtration through raw production is expressed in planning, foresight, and enthusiasm.

KO reversal. The expression injures that from which it came.

Structural Relationship (Being) : Hexagram 16 is the opposite of hexagram 09 where the focus is upon making small gains to become influencial as compared to 16 which plans things first.

Temporal Relationship (Doing) : The Goal of 16 is hexagram 11 (or 'how do I 11? - 16' - how do I harmonise/balance? - plan from the beginning with enthusiasm)

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-100 surprise in a context of fear.

IDM - expansive binding in a context of contractive blending - The focus is on the pull-in, blending, context but here the binding is related to SUDDEN change, a bursting forth, like a dam suddenly bursting. the fear is in the recognition of the possible that suddenly happens - you may be able to see it is going to happen but when it does it is 'shocking' and fear creating.

Move from this archetypal perspective to a typal perspective and we move from experiencing shock to planning for it. We are now becoming a little PROACTIVE in this overall context of fear. In the I Ching this is reflected in hexagram 16 where the typal focus is on use of foresight to prepare for things, plan and so deal with such issues.

20 Contemplation (View) Admiring, Setting an Example In a context of devotion we utilise influence. "KUAN : contemplate, observe from a distance; look at carefully, gaze at; also: a monastery, an observatory; scry, divine through liquid in a cup. The ideogram: see and waterbird, observe through air and water"ERANOS p268

The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (by faith, given rules). The trigram of Wind reflects Production (through re-production). This relationship is expressed as a focus on being admired, on setting an example to copy (and so reproduce something of quality).

KO reversal. The expression injuries that from which it came.

In hexagram 20 we are setting an example through one's presence; being admired. However we need to be wary of the possibility that the power of our presence can cause people to make decisions based on our point of view, not their own. Here it is not so much our actions to others that can cause the problem (as in this hexagram's complement - hexagram 34) but more our own spirit. Goal of 20 - hexagram 14 (or 'how do I 14? - 20')

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-011 anticipation in a context of fear.

IDM - contractive binding in a context of contractive blending - the focus is on the pull-in, blending, context here combined with a sense of binding. Binding in IDM deals with sharing the same TIME. Anticipation reflects this time element, the focus on what is to COME. In a context of fear this covers fear of something to come and includes such concepts as fear of being made an example of. As such I am sharing time, a 'social contract' with someone/thing etc but it is 'dark' and so threatening, I anticipate 'darkness' as 'inevitable'.

Move from this archetypal perspective to a typal perspective and we move to being admired, setting an example for others rather than being made an example of. This is the perspective presented in the I Ching for the associated hexagram - hexagram 20. the focus now is on the person being admired as being a passive source of motivation, of a need to cultivate and so develop. Note the overall sense of time, of 'things to come'.

35 Progress Progressing(Attracting, Bring into the Light) In a context of devotion we utilise setting a direction (an ideology). "CHIN : grow and flourish, as young plants in the sun; increase, progress, permeate, impregnate; attached to. The ideogram: sun and reach, the daylight world."ERANOS p397

The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (through faith, given rules). The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. Filtration through Distribution is expressed as bringing something of quality into the 'light' (or as 'the light').

SHENG reversal. The expression exhausts that from which it came.

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-101 acceptance in a context of fear.

IDM - expansive bounding in a context of contractive blending - the focus is on the pull-in, blending, context but here the expansive bounding relates to pushing a boundary OUT and so moving into darkness or more so bringing light to darkness. The light cone acts as a boundary of 'acceptance', all within is 'known' and you actively face the fear, face the darkness.

Move to the typal perspective and the focus in the I Ching is on bringing something into the light and so progressing from that action (hexagram 35) (IOW being accepted)

02 The Receptive, Earth Devoting, Trusting (Dual-mindedness) In a context of devotion we utilise trust. "K'UN: Surface of the world; concrete extension; basis of all existence, where CH'IEN..exerts it's power; all-involving service; earth; moon, wife, mother; courtiers, servants. The ideogram: terrestrial globe and stretch out, stability and extension."ERANOS p163

The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (through faith, a given set of rules). The focus is on the devotion to, the total trust in, what has been given.

Self-referencing and so reinforcing.

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-000 pure fear.

IDM - contractive blending in a context of contractive blending - the focus here is to pull-in, pull-back reflecting the contraction together with the need to blend, to become 'one' with something. This oneness here, being integrating in perspective reflects blending-IN as in dissapearing, playing dead, freezing etc. The 'pull in' also reflects hiding, to cover yourself beneath/within something. The overall focus in fear is to run and/or hide.

The above is very 'archetypal' but we also recognise the typal, where the competitive angle above, where one is on the losing side, gives way to a typal focus, cooperative. This typal focus retains the strong integration, the strong sense of blending-IN but from a group perspective. The best example is in the act of devotion, the total and absolute trust in others as an aid in protection, security through numbers, through integration.

The fear issues reflect a need to 'hide' one's identity or to derive it THROUGH somethingelse - that throughness reflects the 'need' to blend-in and reflects an overall bias to use context to express identity, which is what happens when we hide or blend-in, we link our identity with the context such that (a) we dissapear and (b) we get support from the context. Extend this into actions of consciousness and we move into deriving identity through the successes of the context - be family, business, sports team etc etc

In the I Ching this state is reflected in the hexagram of all earth - hexagram 02 - that reflects both 'darkness' (a black hole that sucks everything in) as well as 'devotion' (a follower, devotee to someone/something etc)

23 Splitting Apart Pruning, Cutting-Back In a context of devotion we utilise discernment. "PO : flay, peel skin; remove, uncover, degrade, split, slice; reduce to essentials; slaughter an animal. The ideogram : knife and carve, trenchant action."ERANOS p293

The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (through faith, given rules). The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through personal discernment). Filtration-by-faith through Filtration-by-discernment is expressed as 'pruning', cutting things back to essentials.

Self-referencing (EARTH to EARTH) and so reinforcing.

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-001 sadness in a context of fear.

IDM - contractive bonding in a context of contractive blending - within the pull-in, pull-back nature of the contractive blending we have a focus on bonding. Bonding deals with sharing the same space with someone/something but not totally dissapearing as in pure fear. IOW identity is in some way retained. Sadness reflects LOSS and as such gets into issues of remorse, guilt, etc (see the page on Kubler-Ross categories dealing with death etc ) Identity here is 'darkened' but still present as an identity, as somone 'suffering'.

In the I Ching this is expressed in hexagram 23 - splitting apart in that, in its archetypal form, it reflects the collapse of structure.

Moving from competitive to cooperative so the feelings of the archetypal are transformed into typal associations and the overall focus in pulling-in plus the sharing of space leads to the concept of being discerning - IOW suffering helps us learn to be discerning, to select what or who we wish to 'share space'.

In the I Ching hexagram 23 the archetypal collapse of structure is transformed into the maintaining of structure through repeated 'cleaning it up' - housekeeping. The associated text gives an example as high priest sharing space with the faith and so keeping the faith 'clear'.

45 Gathering Together (Massing) Assembling In a context of devotion we utilise intensity. "TS'UI : call or pack together; tight groups of people, animals, things; collect, gather, assemble, concentrate, bunch, crowd, collection; lit:dense tussocky grass"ERANOS p492

The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (through belief, given rules). The trigram of Lake reflects Exchange (cooperative). Filtration (by faith) through Exchange (by cooperation) is expressed as congregating to celebrate that faith - to 'exchange' with one's 'god'.

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-110 love in a context of fear.

IDM - expansive bonding in a context of contrative blending - The bonding focus is on sharing space with others, here that space 'expands' and so moves out into darkness or is a light within the dark.

In the typal perspective of the I Ching this is hexagram 45 - it deals with congrating with others (and so the sharing of space) to celebrate one's faith and as such covers this theme of love in a context of fear, positive nature of overcoming fear through this form of gathering. (and so your intuitive pick-up on trust) Move into five-phase concepts and this is a context of filtration within which is operating cooperative exchange.

12 Standstill (Stagnation) Neutralizing, Blocking, Firming In a context of devotion we utilise singlemindedness. "PI : closed, stopped; bar the way; obstacle; unfortunate, wicked; refuse, disapprove, deny. The ideogram: mouth and not, blocked communication" ERANOS p197

The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (by faith, given rules). The trigram of Heaven reflects Exchange (through competition). Faith expressed through competitive exchange reflects the neutralising of attacks on one's beliefs (and so validating the belief).

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-111 anger in a context of fear.

IDM - expansive blending in a context of contractive blending - this appears as opposites and in a way it is. The overall focus is classic 'fight/flight' where from an archetypal perspective the war is never won, battles occur but overall things are not 'replaced', only neutralised and as such things become sterile, stagnation sets in.

Move to the more typal, positive, cooperative perspective and this is hexagram 12 of the I Ching, the focus is on neutralising the attacks of others and so, through the neutralisation confirm one's belief, one's faith. (and so an association with courage) Move into five-phase concepts and this is a context of filtration within which is operating competitive exchange.

08 Holding Together (Union) Alliencing, Uniting In a context of devotion we utilise control "PI : order things and put them in classes, compare and select; find what you belong with; compare, sort, examine correspondences; select and harmonize; unite. The ideogram: person who stops walking, looking around to examine and compare."ERANOS p160

The trigram of Earth reflects the process of Filtration through faith. The trigram of Water reflects the process of Consumption. Consumption within a context of faith is reflected in spiritual 'consumption' through joining a select group. (This also gets into cults etc)

KO Cycle. A circumstance is replaced and so destroyed.

EMOTIONS and five-phase:

000-010 rejection (aka DISGUST) in a context of fear.

IDM - contracting bounding in a context of contracting blending - the focus on contractive bounding reflects the focus on group formations on 'us vs them' where the boundary, being contractive, acts to keep people in as well as out, it protects what it encapsulates but also imprisons what it encapsulates (like crossing the event horizon of a black hole, there is a distinct border, on one side you are safe (outside))

Moving from the archetypal to the typal moves us into the concept of rejection in the form of 'us vs them' perspectives, this is reflected in cults etc where the typal base of devotion (contractive blending) influences the concept of containment/control that goes with contractive bounding. The context adds the fear element hidden in the concept of devotion. With this is a sense of consumption being 'regulated', we swallow things, consume things, but filters control that process.

In the I Ching this is hexagram 08 - unity - it deals with the group being 'one', it draws people in through passive attraction, 'it' does nothing other than 'order' things. The I Ching text will often 'ignore' the dark side of things to focus on the more positive interpretations! We have to recognise here the total darkness that can be present in this form of containment/control where forced to swallow something can lead to disgust and spitting it out.

EARTH - The Realm of Filtering [Mountain, Keeping Still - personal discernment, developed over time]

"[God] brings them to perfection in the sign of Keeping Still"

We now move to the other trigram of filtering, that of Mountain, where the focus is on blocking that develops from an 'all or nothing' perspective to being highly qualitatively selective in what you let 'in' or 'through'. The eight hexagrams, in five-phase order, are:

62 Preponderance of the Small Portraying, Exaggerating, Acting In a context of self-restraint we utilise (sudden) awareness. "HSIAO KUO - HSIAO : little, common, unimportant; adapting to what crosses your path; ability to move in harmonious relation to the vicissitudes of life;... KUO : go beyond, pass by, pass over; excessive, transgress, error, fault." ERANOS p647

The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through discernment). The trigram of Thunder reflects raw Production. The overall focus is on the exaggeration of something 'little' or 'raw' (a little point) as being important (of qualitative value).

KO reversal. The expression injures that from which it came.

53 Development (Gradual Progress) Maturing In a context of self-restraint we utilise influence. "CHIEN : advance by degrees; penetrate slowly and surely, as water; stealthily; permeate throughout; influence, affect. The ideogram: water and cut."ERANOS p567

The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through discernment). The trigram of Wind reflects Production (through re-production, cultivation). The relationship is expressed in the process of maturing.

KO reversal. The expression injures that from which it came.

56 The Wanderer Restrained Journeying, Loyalty In a context of self-restraint we utilise setting a direction (an ideology). "LU : travel, stay in a place other than your home; itinerant troops, temporary residents; visitor, guest, lodger. The ideogram: banner and people around it, loyal to a symbol rather than their temporary residence." ERANOS p596

The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration. The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. Filtration-by-discernment through distribution is expressed as maintaining a sense of loyalty where-ever one is.

SHENG reversal. The expression exhausts that from which it came.

15 Modesty Leveling, Even-Out In a context of self-restraint we utilise trust. "CH'IEN : think and speak of yourself in a modest way; respectful, unassuming, retiring, unobtrusive; yielding, compliant, reverent, lowly. The ideogram: words and unite, keeping words close to the underlying facts."ERANOS p223

The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through personal discernment). The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (but through given rules, faith). The relationship is expressed in the concept of leveling-out.

Self-referencing (EARTH to EARTH) and so reinforcing.

52 Keeping Still, Mountain Self-Restraining, Discerning, Blocking In a context of self-restraint we utilise discernment. "KEN : limit, boundary; encounter an obstacle, stop; still, quiet, motionless; confine, enclose, mark off; turn around to look behind; hard, adamant, obstinate; perverse. The ideogram: eye and person turning around to compare and group what is behind."ERANOS p559

The trigram of Mountain reflect Filtration-through-discernment. The focus of discernment is its roots on self-restraint, on blocking, on stopping. From this process of stopping so we 'group' things by qualities and become discerning in filtering.

Self-referencing and so reinforcing.

31 Influence (wooing) Restrained joining In a context of self-restraint we utilise intensity. "HSIEN : come into contact with, influence; reach, join together; put together; put together as parts of a previously separated whole; come into conjunction, as the celestial bodies; totally, completely; lit: broken pieces of pottery, the halfs of which join to identify partners." ERANOS p362

The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through personal discernment, derive rules, not given). The trigram of Lake reflects cooperative Exchange. Qualitative filtration through cooperative exchange is expressed as 'wooing'.

33 Retreat Withdrawing, Tricking In a context of self-restraint we utilise singlemindedness. "TUN : withdraw; run away, flee; conceal yourself, become obscure, invisible; secluded, non-social. The ideogram: walk and swine (wealth and luck) satisfaction through walking away."ERANOS p381

The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through discernment). The trigram of Heaven reflects Exchange (through competition). The relationship is expressed as a qualitative focus ( 'satisfaction through walking away') as well as the use of deceit to draw-in the enemy, to feign defeat and so to use trickery.

39 Obstruction Bypassing In a context of self-restraint we utilise control. "CHIEN : Walk lamely, proceed haltingly; weak-legged, afflicted, crooked; feeble, weak; unfortunate, difficult. The ideogram: foot and cold, impeded circulation in the feet."ERANOS p435

The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through discernment). The trigram of Water reflects consumption. This reflects both blocking the flow (and so being discerning about the flow) as well as being blocked (and so getting around the blockages. Consumption, since it has an element of containment can act to obstruct - arterial blockage, too high cholesterol! etc)

KO cycle. A circumstance is replaced and so destroyed.