Functions
Eight Sovereign Powers
Each function is a sovereign power with its own wisdom and its own blindness. Not personality labels — living forces.
Each power is mapped to one of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas. In India, bodhisattvas are genderless or referred to as male. In China, some are depicted as female. This gender fluidity reflects the bodhisattva's ability to manifest on earth in many different forms.
四象 The Four Phases
Before the eight powers differentiate, four fundamental qualities emerge from the crossing of Yang/Yin with Xing/Ming.
Tai Yang
Greater Yang · Fire · Spirit
♀ Venus & ♂ Mars
Shao Yang
Lesser Yang · Air · Mind
♃ Jupiter & ☿ Mercury
Shao Yin
Lesser Yin · Water · Soul
♀ Faunus & ♇ Pluto
Tai Yin
Greater Yin · Earth · Body
♆ Neptune & ☿ Iustitia
八卦 The Eight Powers
Jupiter
Wisdom, vision, intuition, expansion — the creative free spirit.
Mercury
Reason, logic, strategy, differentiation — the determined general.
Venus
Harmony, beauty, empathy, expression — the compassionate emperor.
Mars
Action, instinct, passion, conquest — the passionate warrior.
Neptune
Inner authority, integrity, formless wisdom — the mystic seer.
Iustitia
Justice, precision, lawful structure, interpretation — the judge.
Faunus
Potential, well-being, innocence, vital substance — the fulfillment of potential.
Pluto
Transformation, crisis, cleansing, regeneration — the devouring serpent.