52.

4 Self-discipline

The fourth line is actually the exalted line, because you have a channel that is all about being fixed and focused. We know
that fourth line themes are about being fixed and one-tracked and single-minded. So, obviously the nature of this fourth line
in this particular gate and channel is really the key force at work in this hexagram. It says, ‘Self-discipline.’ Saturn exalted,
Perfected self-discipline and restraint that deals easily and wisely with impulsive temptations. The energy for restraint which
recognizes the value of stillness and focus. Basically, rather than trying to intellectualize that, the Root center is not aware.
The 52.4’s are people who, on principle, focus and concentrate which means that they are focused and concentrated on
everything. They take their time over what to buy, to see, where to go and what to do in their lives. They will always require
and - because it is built into them - are fixed in needing the spaces of silence, this pause where they go through and work it
all out and can finally come to some kind of decision.

Jupiter in detriment, Though responsive to the need of a principled control based on the understanding of conditions, there
is a tendency due to its natural expansiveness to doubt and restlessness. In other words, essentially it operates exactly the
same way. These fourth line people are very fixed on being focused. Everything for them is about being focused. The only
difference with the Jupiter is that this planet once in a while says, "I don’t do this. Why are we focused on this? Is this the
right thing to be focused on?” This is something that can come out of this energy in the fourth line. When you meet these
people, you have to see that no one can ever have the power to take these people out of their focus. They can only participate
in the focus with them. Remember, that the fourth line knows that there is a 9th gate over there. It recognizes that, and when
it meets the other side which needs focus and concentration, they together can really bring the format to fruition.

If you take somebody in a classroom and you have the fourth line of the 52, and you have the 9.1 or the 9.4, you will have
the classroom filled with people who are deeply focused and concentrated because this is the ideal for what we call research.
It is the ideal for being fixed on the repetition of the pattern and all the other things that go with the logical process. For other
people who are not logical, these people are not to be understood. They have this incredible power gate and the other circuits
bang into that and say, "I want some energy. Give me the energy," and they do not get this active energy from the 52, they
get passive energy. It is very difficult for them to come to these 52.4 people because they will not break their focus. They will
not lift their head and look at you if they are caught up in something. They will annoy others because they won’t break their
focus, and many of us call these people neurotic. This is the great line of neurosis but not in the sense that they are neurotic
- they are not. They are living out their nature, but in the sense of how it is perceived by others. Because they do not seem
to be able to break their focus. They even appear to be obsessive. They are not. This is a very fixed line in a very fixed gate.
It is very fixed and that is its way. They have the focus.

They have what is called the brown study which is, when you look out the window but you don’t see. This is focus without
concentration. So you have somebody who is sitting in front of their newspaper and they are starring at the newspaper but
they are not reading anything. They are in a deep focus which annoys other people. Are you reading that paper? Obviously
with the 9 there, when Pluto is coming in that gate, this capacity to focus gets narrowed into its concentrated field. Then the
clarity comes and the process begins. These 52.4 people can be seen as very rigid and cold because they seem to ignore
you. The 52.4’s can be uncomfortable for other people but anybody who is carrying the circuitry that goes from the 9 to the
5/15 to the 31/7, they do not have that reaction to them. They are very much aware of who these people are, and they are
always seeking them out.