The question considered here is what is the path from a hexagram to any other hexagram other than that hexagram's opposite; e.g. what is the path from any hexagram into 56?
For discovering contextual hexagrams, when we change lines in a hexagram we then swap the resulting trigrams to get the contextual hexagram linked to influencing the specific line changes.
If hexagram 01 is changing into hexagram 02, then all lines are changing and swapping the trigrams still gives hex 02; this becomes the contextual influence.
From our descriptive chart, and using 02 as the key, we find that 23 describes the flow from 01 to 02.
However, if hexagram 01 is changing into hexagram 56 the we have to change lines 1,2, and 5 of hex 01. Swapping the trigrams we get hexagram 22 as the hexagram of contextual influence, 22 influencing 01 leads to 56. From the descriptive chart, using 22 as the key, we find that 62 describes the flow of 47 into 22. What this implies is that the path leading into 56 is the same path that leads from 47 to 22.
But the proposed path from 60 to 56 (working on opposites) is described by 36. What we see here is at least two paths into one hexagram.
60-->56 = 36 01-->56 = 22
Of note here is that the two resulting hexagrams both symbolize forms of covering-up. However, I am not satisfied that this is valid; there are many variations on the path of making a cake but there is a 'base' path - parts that are invarient. In this, the contextual concept seems to work well but the descriptive concept, as it stands, has limits.
Therefore, I have done a step by step analysis which seems to make better 'sense'.For any hexagram, the description of the path leading into it is obtained by (1) determining the contextual hexagram for the whole hexagram. (2) use the descriptive table previously derived to find the descriptive hexagram. In this we find that the path from 01 to 02 is described by hexagram 23 (as previous) but unique paths emerge for the other transformations. As an example I here use the transformation process of hexagram 01 into any other hexagram:
Key: Ctx = context hexagram influencing the line changes. Des = hexagram that best describes the transformation process. -> = ..transforming into.. A B Ctx Des Lines changed in A 01->01 = 01 = 43 none (they just get 'thicker'!) 01->02 = 02 = 23 all 01->03 = 40 = 42 2,3,4,6 01->04 = 39 = 07 etc 01->05 = 06 = 09 etc 01->06 = 05 = 47 01->07 = 08 = 04 01->08 = 07 = 20 01->09 = 44 = 05 01->10 = 43 = 58 01->11 = 12 = 26 01->12 = 11 = 45 01->13 = 14 = 49 01->14 = 13 = 34 01->15 = 23 = 52 01->16 = 24 = 35 01->17 = 54 = 25 01->18 = 53 = 46 01->19 = 45 = 41 01->20 = 46 = 08 01->21 = 55 = 51 01->22 = 56 = 36 01->23 = 15 = 02 01->24 = 16 = 27 01->25 = 34 = 17 01->26 = 33 = 11 01->27 = 62 = 24 01->28 = 61 = 44 01->29 = 29 = 59 01->30 = 30 = 55 01->31 = 41 = 33 01->32 = 42 = 50 01->33 = 26 = 31 01->34 = 25 = 14 01->35 = 36 = 16 01->36 = 35 = 22 01->37 = 50 = 63 01->38 = 49 = 54 01->39 = 04 = 53 01->40 = 03 = 64 01->41 = 31 = 19 01->42 = 32 = 03 01->43 = 10 = 01 01->44 = 09 = 28 01->45 = 19 = 12 01->46 = 20 = 18 01->47 = 60 = 06 01->48 = 59 = 57 01->49 = 38 = 13 01->50 = 37 = 32 01->51 = 51 = 21 01->52 = 52 = 15 01->53 = 18 = 39 01->54 = 17 = 38 01->55 = 21 = 30 01->56 = 22 = 62 01->57 = 57 = 48 01->58 = 58 = 10 01->59 = 48 = 29 01->60 = 47 = 61 01->61 = 28 = 60 01->62 = 27 = 56 01->63 = 64 = 37 01->64 = 63 = 40
The influencing hexagram (Ctx) nudges the influenced hexagram (A) into a specific state (B) and this transformation has a specific format described by (Des). What this implies is that the influenced hexagram (A) is *any* hexagram whereas the resulting hexagram (B) has fixed Ctx and Des formats. Simply put, *any* hexagram changing into, for example, hexagram 50 is being influenced by 37 and the process of transformation is described by 32. The differences are the number of changing lines imposed on the influenced hexagram (A).
Using this we find that the sets of hexagrams previously discussed (A-H) change slightly as far as descriptions are concerned (although the members of sets A and H remain the same).
This system states that the path into a hexagram is fixed and has a specific format. This is 'logical' in that to get to a specific house you follow a specific route. But the initial start position is 'global' (anywhere) and thus the 'specific route' is local and fixed to the destination (like the path upto the door of the house)
Furthermore, to get onto the path requires a specific influence irrespective of the current situation. To go to jail, for example, requires the breaking of a law. Thus a specific context can influence a situation to a degree that it changes into another situation and there is a specific process involved in the transformation.
So, not only is the transformation of 01 into 02 described by hexagram 23, but so is any transformation into 02 (the influence is also 02).
Thus, the transformation of any hexagram into 05 is influenced by 06 (seek compromise) and described by 09 - making small gains.
It's complement is the transformation into 35. Here the influence is 36 (no compromise) and described by 16 - making plans (forsight).
Any transformation into 47, enforced waiting, is based on an influence of limitation (60) and is described as compromising (06). (control the 'light'). whereas any transformation into 22, fascading, is based on an influence of 'conforming' (56) and is described as uncompromising (36) (covering the light).
What we see here is a refinement of the descriptive hexagrams in the context of transformations.
The original contextual material remains valid and is used to derive the descriptive hexagram but there are still 'loose ends', possibly resulting from the context-dependent nature of the I Ching allowing for subtle variations on a theme.
It seems as if the previous descriptive format is infact one of form rather than process, 01 encapsulates the 'whole' of the 15-to-10 relationship rather than describes the process between them. This is done through hexagram 58 within the influence of 43. (going from 15 to 10 is symbolic of increasing intensity and self-reflection resulting from a pressure to break out. But this would be the same description for 01, or any other hexagram, going to 10.)
As far as 'encapsulation' is concerned, the emphasis on 01 being too yang (gross context of 28) as well as inspiriational (immediate context of 34) is governed by the traditional texts expressing a need for the maintenance of balance at all times; both traits of 15 and 10. (and note that this point is also emphasised in 02 - too little yang/too much yin).
An example of a 'questionable' descriptor from the previous work is that of 04 describing the 'flow' from 14 to 08. This is weak, but what is not weak is the 'attractor' nature of 14 (active) and 08 (passive) and the encapsulating of this by the 04/49 pair. (04 says 'approach a teacher' - passive attractor whereas 49 has a somewhat more active approach).
Using 08/14 as reference, in the above 'improvements', any hex changing into 08 is influenced by 07 and the transformation is described by 20.
Any hexagram changing into 14 is influenced by 13 and the transformation is described by 34.
Note that the 04/49 influences still linger in the form of changing into 07 is influenced by 08 and described by 04 (uniforming is influenced by a sense of attraction and involves 'masking'). And changing into 13 is influenced by 14 and described by 49.
It is interesting to note that there is a degree of slipping and sliding involved in all of this but I dont think it is all 'me'. The patterns that emerge are often stunning in their clarity but there still seems to be a bit of mist (fog!?) around.