The second Path layout is a seven-level design that yields insight to achieve a high level of personal and spiritual growth. The roots of the tree, shown in the first two tiles, suggest what you need to learn and where the challenge lies. Growing upward, the next two tiles are about the forces that guide you and what will help boost your growth. The next two tiles show the lower branches of the tree, which provide warnings about what you need to let go of in order to maximise your progress. Finally at the top of the tree, we come to the outcome, showing where this growth process will ultimately lead.
The End Result
 Wan 8 |
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Warnings You Should Heed
 Winter |
That Which You Should Let Pass
 Bamboo 2 |
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What Powers Will Help You
 Bamboo 5 |
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Your Guiding Tile
 Plum Blossom |
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What You Need to Learn
 Bamboo 7 |
The Challenges Before You
 South Wind |
What You Need to Learn
The Tortoise symbolises the world or universe and its consciousness of the self. This may be a time when it is best to move slowly. Patience will be important. This is a symbol of slow and steady progress, prosperity, and longevity.
The South Wind tile is a particularly favourable sign. It foretells an end to problems allowing for new progress.
Red, summer, fire, phoenix
The Plum represents spring, youth, innocence, inexperience, and childlike happiness. It may be a sign that you need a fresh perspective on something. Something in your life may need to be re-evaluated.
The Lotus flower represents fertility and more specifically birth. It may indicate an addition to the family or perhaps a new project to occupy your days. This is also a symbol of healing and constant regeneration, also self-sufficiency.
The Scholar represents the cultured mind, prudence, and spiritual development. Some think of this tile more specifically as Confucius. This is the sign of refinement of the intellect and the mastery of intellectually oriented tasks.
The Duck symbolises enduring partnerships – long lasting relationships with the strength to overcome all obstacles. It suggests fidelity and trustworthiness, just as ducks are monogamous for life.
The Knot tile stands for both tying and setting loose. If this tile appears in the reading with the Sword tile (2 Wan), it suggests that the time to sever your connection to someone or something has arrived. However, if the Duck tile (2 Bamboo) is in this reading, this indicates the strengthening of an existing bond.