Cross of Assimilation

Full breakdown

Gates: 23 Assimilation, 29 Saying Yes, 30 Recognition of Feelings, 43 Insight. Gate numbers: 23/30, 43/29.

This is one of the loneliest of the Juxtaposition Crosses. The individual, working from their own private circuitry, is always seeking the favor of the people whose acceptance they need — repeating their unusual perspective again and again until the people around them get used to it. Here, the recognition is built in that mutation exists for the sake of others; these people only explain themselves when something inside forces it out, or when doing so serves a goal of their own.

Moving into Juxtaposition, the attempt to assimilate and blend into society happens through social skill — but that same social effort makes it harder to voice the individual mutation clearly, since they're now paying the price of letting other people set the terms. In assimilating with others, they hold themselves back from repeating their strange ideas too often, afraid of being ostracized and shut out of contributing. They build a friendship, try to fit in with someone else first, and only then risk voicing the unusual thought — sometimes to a partner who says, 'If I'd known you had thoughts like that in your head, I'd never have married you.'