Visualization Techniques: Mapping Divination Systems

BY NICOLE LAU

"A picture is worth a thousand words"—and in Dynamic Divination Modeling Theory, a well-designed visualization is worth a thousand data points. The human brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than text. Complex systems with 15 variables, 5 feedback loops, and 3 scenarios become instantly comprehensible when visualized properly.

This article provides a complete visual toolkit for DDMT—12 visualization techniques optimized for divination questions and system dynamics.

Core Visualization Principles

Principle 1: Match Visualization to Question

• Comparison → Bar chart, Radar chart
• Trend → Line chart, Area chart
• Relationship → Network diagram, Causal loops
• Distribution → Histogram, Box plot
• Flow → Sankey diagram, Stock-flow
• Hierarchy → Tree diagram, Mind map

Principle 2: DDMT Color Conventions

• Green: Positive, growth, virtuous cycles
• Red: Negative, decline, vicious cycles
• Blue: Neutral, balancing, stable
• Orange: Warning, threshold approaching
• Purple: Spiritual, consciousness
• Grey: Uncertainty, unknown

12 Essential Visualizations

1. Variable Polarity Bar Chart

Purpose: Show which variables are supportive vs. challenging
Design: Green bars (positive) extend up, red bars (negative) extend down from zero line
Use: Initial reading assessment, comparing readings

2. Stock-Flow Trajectory

Purpose: Show resource changes over time
Design: Line chart with critical threshold (dashed), confidence interval (shaded), color zones (green/orange/red)
Use: Resource planning, crisis prediction, intervention timing

3. Causal Loop Network

Purpose: Map circular causality and feedback loops
Design: Nodes (variables), arrows (+/- polarity), loop highlighting (R+/R-/B)
Use: Complex systems, identifying leverage points

4. Scenario Radar Chart

Purpose: Compare scenarios across dimensions
Design: 6-8 axes radiating from center, polygon per scenario, overlap shows similarity
Use: Multi-dimensional decisions, showing trade-offs

5. Sankey Flow Diagram

Purpose: Show resource flows between domains
Design: Ribbons connecting nodes, width = flow amount, color = resource type
Use: Resource allocation, identifying waste

6. Timeline with Inflection Points

Purpose: Show past-present-future trajectory
Design: Horizontal timeline, events as circles, decision points as stars, branching paths
Use: Long-term planning, scenario divergence

7. Heat Map

Purpose: Show variable intensity over time
Design: Grid (rows=variables, columns=time), color-coded cells (dark green to dark red)
Use: Tracking many variables compactly

8. Probability Distribution

Purpose: Show range of outcomes from Monte Carlo
Design: Histogram with bell curve, mean/median lines, confidence interval shading
Use: Quantifying uncertainty, risk assessment

9. Mind Map

Purpose: Organize multi-system insights
Design: Central question, branches per system, sub-branches for insights, convergence connections
Use: Multi-system readings, identifying convergence

10. Matrix Grid

Purpose: Compare scenarios across criteria
Design: Rows=scenarios, columns=criteria, color-coded scores, totals
Use: Structured decisions, weighted criteria

11. Convergence Venn Diagram

Purpose: Show system overlap and divergence
Design: 3 circles (Tarot/I Ching/Astrology), center = convergence zone (bright green)
Use: Assessing convergence visually, communicating confidence

12. Dashboard (All-in-One)

Purpose: Combine multiple visualizations
Design: 4 quadrants (bar chart, line chart, network, radar), header (question/convergence), footer (decision/actions)
Use: Complex decisions, presenting to others, documentation

Best Practices

1. Start Simple, Add Complexity
Begin with bar chart, add line chart if needed, then network diagram. Don't start with dashboard.

2. Use Consistent Visual Language
Same colors, scales, fonts across all visualizations creates coherence.

3. Annotate Liberally
Every chart needs title, axis labels, unusual data point annotations. Assume viewer has no context.

4. Test with Others
Show to someone unfamiliar. If they can't understand in 30 seconds, redesign.

5. Iterate
First version is never perfect. Create, review, refine. Save iterations (V1, V2, V3).

Example: Complete Visualization Set

Question: Should I accept VP offer at startup?

Visualization 1 - Bar Chart: 10 variables, 7 positive (green), 3 negative (red), average +4.2

Visualization 2 - Line Chart: Energy stock depletes from 6/10 to 2/10 in 8 weeks (crosses orange threshold Month 2, red threshold Month 3)

Visualization 3 - Network: 3 loops identified, burnout spiral (R-) currently dominant, leverage point = rest

Visualization 4 - Radar: Scenario A (accept now) strong on Financial/Purpose but weak on Health/Timing. Scenario B (wait 18mo) balanced across all dimensions.

Visualization 5 - Dashboard: All four visualizations combined, header shows 100% convergence on "NOT NOW", footer shows decision "Decline offer, wait 18 months"

Result: Visual analysis makes decision obvious. All charts point to same conclusion.

Key Learnings

1. Visualization is thinking, not just presentation
Creating diagrams forces clarity. The act of visualizing is analytical.

2. Different questions need different visualizations
Match tool to question type. Bar for comparison, line for trends, network for relationships.

3. Color is information, not decoration
Green/red/blue encode meaning. Consistent use enables instant pattern recognition.

4. Uncertainty must be visible
Confidence intervals, probability cones, transparency show divination is probabilistic.

5. Dashboards enable holistic understanding
Single chart shows one aspect. Dashboard shows complete system.

Visualization transforms DDMT from abstract to concrete, from data to insight, from confusion to clarity. This is how you map divination systems visually.