The I Ching: Wise, Intriguing and Captivating

 

Credit: by Neil Powel (Author) and Kieron Connolly - www.amazon.com.au

Deciphering the Mysteries of the 

I Ching Oracle

At least 3,000 years old, the I Ching also known as The “Book of Changes”, is an ancient Chinese book of divination and a source of Confucian and Taoist philosophy. It is the oldest surviving system of divination on earth. In very simplistic terms the I Ching is a form of Cleromancy (divination using the casting of lots). It can take many forms, such as rolling dice, separating sticks (stalks) or in referring to the I Ching, the tossing of coins.

Do You Know?

In China and East Asia, the I Ching has been the most consulted of all books, as it is believed to explain everything. 

Originally, the I Ching was a divination manual in the Western Zhou period (1000-750BC). Throughout the Warring States and early imperial periods (500-200BC), it was translated into a cosmological text with a succession of philosophical commentaries known as the 'Ten Wings".

Confucius, ancient China's most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist was so impressed with the oracle, and how it helped inquirers access the "way of Heaven", that he assigned this book as one of the six Confucian Classics, the official books of the Chinese education system. 

Carl Jung, the psychologist, psychiatrist and founder of analytic psychology often referred to the I Ching, for himself and his patients.

Aleister Crowley, the English occultist, philosopher, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, mountaineer and founder of the religion of Thelma, was the first of the Caucasian race to use the I Ching for divination!. He was the first Westerner to approach the philosophical concepts of the I Ching as something valid. 

The guidance offered by the I Ching is pragmatic in that it acknowledges that people inherently have positive and negative character traits. Thus, it provides practical advice for successfully navigating difficult situations. 

How It Works (a basic introduction). The I Ching's core is its 64 hexagrams, which can be consulted as a divination system. Each hexagram is composed of six lines. Each horizontal line has either a broken or unbroken state, making the 64 hexagrams. Answers to issues (questions) and advice may be obtained by referring to the text accompanying one of the 64 hexagrams selected randomly.

I Ching hexagrams 0-64

                                              Credit: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/file: I_Ching_hexagrams_00-77.svg 

credit: the collector.com

The most common method of using the I Ching is by tossing three coins, using the heads-or-tails positions of the toss to determine either a solid Yang line, a broken Yin line, or a Yang or Yin line that's "Changing" (the process of becoming its opposite). Doing this six times produces a hexagram, and then flipping the changing lines to their opposite provides the "future" hexagram. The relevant parts of the I Ching which are then read (from a book) are the main description of both hexagrams plus the special description of those specific changing lines.

Taking this one step further, each hexagram has two trigrams the Upper and the Lower. Also, each trigram is assigned one of the eight elements repeated for the upper and lower trigrams. The eight elements are Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Water, Mountain, Wind, Fire, and Lake (as shown hereunder).

credit: chinafile.com/library/nyrb-china-archive/what-i-ching

Each of these eight elements is also assigned an attribute.

1. Heaven - The Creative
2. Earth - The Receptive
3. Thunder - The Arousing
4. Water - The Abysmal
5. Mountain - Keeping Still
6. Wind - The Gentle
7. Fire - The Clinging
8. Lake - The Joyous

It should be noted that the I Ching is a profound and complex divination system. Knowing which symbol/s (hexagram/s) applies to any given reading can only be learned with experience and in time. The above 'barely touches the surface of explaining the I Ching, its purpose is to merely provide a very basic introduction and background to its composition. However, the more one works with the I Ching, the more one comes to realise that it truly is guided by a wise, ethics-based intelligence!

Mind Blowing: Remarkable Wisdom

The I Ching addresses every area of human life from love to war, birth to decline, and success (achievement) to failure (non-success), thus there are a thousand different readings found within the I Ching. This is what specifically sets this oracle apart.

How the I Ching Answers an Issue (question). An I Ching reading often refers to the background of an issue. More often than not it will provide a deep breakdown and transcendent framework of the issue (question). This permits a better understanding of the issue and allows the outcome to be predicted. Further, the I Ching can also, respond with very direct answers but only when the future is clear. Additionally, unlike other oracles, the I Ching can actually be very focused; it won’t present a vague set of meanings from which multiple, even conflicting, outcomes can be derived. It can literally convey: “Go for it.” Or “Stop.” Or “Watch out for hidden forces.” Or ”This isn’t the right time.” Finally, it may give any kind of response to a question, including a negative one.

It is not recommended to ask the I Ching to foretell an outcome of an issue beyond three months.

An I Ching reading can reflect the spirit and character of the time of an issue. The  I Ching can advise about 'right timing'. It can also give invaluable feedback on undertakings in progress, including their status, potential barriers to avoid or address, the right approach and attitude to adopt, and the forecast for success. Further, it can also offer advice on very personal affairs such as romantic interests, as well as family, friends and professional relationships.

To sum up, the I Ching is more than just a book. It is a living, breathing oracle. An invaluable guide that can impart remarkable wisdom. 

credit: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Konfuzius-1770.jpg - Confucius (c551-479B.C.). Chinese Philosopher. Gouache on paper, c. 1770. Britannica Encyclopedia of World Religions (2006).

TIP:  For the I Ching Beginner

We suggest when beginning to learn the I Ching at first it is best to ignore the changing lines and interpret just a single hexagram during a reading. If you've ever studied the tarot, you can think of this as a simplified one-card reading. 

Next, once you're ready for deeper insight, we suggest you include in your readings an analysis of the changes.

 Note: For those whose curiosity has been aroused and are interested in having an I Ching reading we recommend going to https://www.ifate.com/i-ching.html (a renowned and reputable esoteric website, that offers free online I Ching readings).

 

Good luck and we wish you success with your endeavours.

 

Our next topic will be the Runes 

Until then, as they say in Chile, "Chao".