Get ready to tear directions (5)
I believe the answer is:
ripen
'get ready' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'tear directions' is the wordplay.
'tear' becomes 'rip' (rip is a kind of tear).
'directions' becomes 'en' (east and north).
'rip'+'en'='RIPEN'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ripen that I've seen before include "Get ready for 2" , "Become ready to eat" , "Get ready to eat" , "Mature, develop" , "Become ready for picking" .)