The Gate of the Channel
Other Names: Caution, Standstill
Biology: thyroid/parathyroid
Archetypal Insight from the I Ching, by Ma Deva Padma; when this description resonates, a shift from novice expression to wisdom is likely imminent:
The time of Standstill arises when all that was once humming along seems to grind to a halt. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, doors of communication are closed and progress seems impossible on any front. One thing is said, another is heard. Difficulties and delays pile up to the point of paralysis and finally it’s impossible to know how or even if to proceed. It’s like trying to shovel snow in a blizzard – however diligently you try to restore the sidewalks to their pristine, preblizzard condition, the pesky white stuff keeps piling up, and finally you’re so exhausted you can’t go on.
These outer circumstances can also provoke an inner crisis and leave you feeling as though you have failed somehow, or that life has forgotten about you. Feelings of disorientation can arise, as the plug seems to have been pulled on so much of what you assumed would continue along a track you so recently had all mapped out and under control. To the extent that you have linked your identity with that hum gone so suddenly silent, it can challenge your very notions of who you are.
The impasse may be operating on many levels simultaneously, so it’s important not to get snowed under by self-doubt or depression. From a different perspective that might not be apparent right now, the entire dynamic of life is unfolding to perfection. It’s just that it is not what you hoped for or expected. In times like this, the best course is to take care on a fundamental level of all the little things that are in need of maintenance, attention, or in some cases elimination. This also applies to ways of doing, being, relating, and thinking. Any attempt to hang in there out of duty, or because you don’t know what else to do, will not be helpful at this time. It’s time to Stop! and see that the only result of spinning your wheels is to bury yourself deeper in the snow.
Creative work can still happen when there’s a freeze on, but it happens in an atmosphere of peaceful and cozy retreat. It’s an ideal time to take a break, turn your focus inward, and become attentive to all the little intimate things that contribute to your inner strength and nourish your sense of well-being. If you’ve been hoping for some miracle or miracle-worker to come along and change things, recognize that this hope is just another way of being stuck. By doing your part to melt the ice from within and restore the connection with your trust in life, you will be giving yourself a much needed rest from useless struggle. And as a bonus, you’ll also be preparing yourself to emerge when the time is right, already in tune with the spring thaw that is bound to come.
The Changes (additional insight for applying the Line of an activated Gate)
Line 1 – Investigator/Information
It is really not an option to make an effort to somehow fit in with a stagnant situation. The compromises that you would have to make in order to do this will contribute very little if anything toward breaking the impasse. And there is a very real danger that, by going against your own inner sense of what is right, you will be exposing yourself to infection by the stagnant atmosphere, and your own energies will be further weakened.
Line 2 – Responder/Hermit
Even when you’re doing your best to break through, for one reason or another it can happen that all your efforts hang suspended or fail completely. It’s possible that the other players in the game either don’t yet feel the pain as you do, or are somehow invested in things staying just the way they are. Trying to “sort it all out” in such a situation is bound to lead to a labyrinth of crossed signals and misunderstanding. Better to watch your breath than to waste it shouting at those who are unwilling or unable to listen.
Line 3 – Explorer
Before getting into any finger-pointing, look to yourself first, try to understand where the creative principle may have become frozen within your own being. Be cool and detached when you look within to discern where you may be unconsciously responsible for the stagnation in order to avoid having to cope with change.
Line 4 – Stabilizer
There are some people whose energy is actually ideally suited to go into a stuck situation and unstick it. But along with the brute strength that is sometimes needed for such an effort, a delicate touch is also required. Otherwise everybody can just freeze in place even more, like animals caught unexpectedly in the headlights of a car. If you’ve got the right combination of skills, then go for it. But stay mindful of all the nuances lest your good intentions be misunderstood.
Line 5 – Visionary Leader
As soon as the situation starts to loosen up, it will be clear that the wait was worth it. But when it happens, better to proceed with alertness and caution than to rush right into the breach trailing your enthusiasm and relief. New times need solid foundations, and solid foundations can be built joyously – still, they are built one brick at a time.
Line 6 – Adept/Role Model
While waiting out a period of standstill it’s important to be watchful for signs that the opportunity has come to finally bring it to an end. The right combination of timing and renewed determination to move things forward is critical to making the transition out of stagnation as smooth and as fruitful as possible.
Other aspects
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Dynamics: Yin/Receptive (earth) + Yang/Creative (heaven)
Color: black + white
Attributes: yielding, supportive, devotional, intuitive + authority, strength, power, inspiring
Action(s): to give away and empower
Developmental: womb + transformation/death