Let Δ be a linear differential operator acting on the space of
densities of a given weight \lo on a manifold M. One can consider a pencil
of operators \hPi(\Delta)=\{\Delta_\l\} passing through the operator Δ
such that any \Delta_\l is a linear differential operator acting on densities
of weight \l. This pencil can be identified with a linear differential
operator \hD acting on the algebra of densities of all weights. The existence
of an invariant scalar product in the algebra of densities implies a natural
decomposition of operators, i.e. pencils of self-adjoint and anti-self-adjoint
operators. We study lifting maps that are on one hand equivariant with respect
to divergenceless vector fields, and, on the other hand, with values in
self-adjoint or anti-self-adjoint operators. In particular we analyze the
relation between these two concepts, and apply it to the study of
\diff(M)-equivariant liftings. Finally we briefly consider the case of
liftings equivariant with respect to the algebra of projective transformations
and describe all regular self-adjoint and anti-self-adjoint liftings.Comment: 32 pages, LaTeX fil