Whenever I hear thunder, I don’t tend to feel enthusiasm. Yet the image of thunder over the earth is associated with Hexagram 16 (Enthusiasm) in the I Ching, an ancient Chinese book of wisdom that is important in the Jungian world.
Thunder is a symbol of sudden change and transformation, while the earth represents stability and grounding. Together, they represent the power of enthusiasm to inspire change and create something new.
This requires getting others on board, however. This is why hexagram 16 is also sometimes referred to as “harmonize.”
How best to generate this enthusiasm and harmony? You could start by “contemplating the people” and then aligning yourself with their values.
I can’t help but notice that these are extraverted feeling kinds of activites. Extraverted feeling adjusts itself to external conditions and social, rather than personal, values. R.L. Wing’s description of hexagram 64 could also serve as a description of extraverted feeling:
If you can grasp the direction of the tendencies around you, you can parallel them and accomplish great deeds. …Penetrate the popular sentiment of society, anticipate what will be needed and supported, and choose able helpers who will be enthusiastically attracted to your compelling inspiration.
R.L. Wing, The I Ching Workbook
All of us have extraverted feeling as one of our eight energy pathways. People with ESFJ, ENFJ, INFJ, and ISFJ tendencies have it as one of the top two, where it is more easily accessible.
This adaptability is also charateristic of Mercury, the planetary host of Gemini.
And speaking of astrology, here is. R.L. Wing again: “Obey your inner voice if you wish to behave correctly in the current situation. If there is a decision to be made, surrender to the impulses of your true nature. Choose the path of least resistance. Move with the rhythm of the moment. In this way you will be relieved of tensions and open to inspired accord with the cosmos.”
Astrology is a practical way to form an inspired accord with the cosmos. Hexagram 16 correlates to these next 5-6 days of Gemini season.* If you have natal planets in Gemini, tune into them this week and access your inner voice. If you don’t have natal planets in Gemini, the Sun is currently in Gemini and lighting up the area of life that Gemini represents in your chart.
We don’t always know when thunder will arrive, but a greater awareness of your extraverted feeling energy pathway, and the Gemini area of your life, will better prepare you for it. Then you’ll experience the joy and relief that follows after the thunderstorm refreshes nature and relieves the tension that had built up.
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*The 64 hexagrams of the I Ching are arranged along the ecliptic (the celestial equator) in Human Design. In astrology there are 12 zodiac signs along the ecliptic, so there are 5.3 hexagrams per zodiac sign. I’m contemplating these hexagrams as a way to engage with astrology, the I Ching, and Jungian psychology.
Sources:
I Ching or Book of Changes translated by Richard Wilhelm
The I Ching Workbook by R.L. Wing
