From the left hand group, count off the yarrow sticks in fours until four or less yarrow sticks remain.Take a single yarrow stick from the right hand group and place it in between your 5th and 4th fingers (little and ring) of your left hand.Divide the remaining 49 sticks into two random groups, left and right.The reason for this is lost in antiquity, but some call this stick 'The Witness'. Place the 50 yarrow sticks in front of you.There are also other preparations that can be made, such as washing your hands, lighting incense, and facing South 3.Ĭonsulting the I Ching: Yarrow Sticks Method Typical questions can be "What will happen if I.?" "Should I.?" "What lies in my immediate future?" "What should my attitude about. ![]() Clearly defining your question will help the reading be relevant to your situation. The most important preparation for consulting the I Ching is framing the question you wish answered. They are the use of 50 yarrow sticks, or the use of three coins. There are two traditional methods for consulting the I Ching as an oracle. They include such things as a commentary on the Images (Third and Fourth Wings), discussion of the trigrams (Eighth Wing), and note on the hexagrams (Tenth Wing). Confucius wrote what is known as "The Ten Wings", a detailed treatise on the I Ching as it existed in his time. The last great contribution to the I Ching came from the legendary philosopher Confucius 2. The Duke of Chou completed the commentary by writing the Decision, which clarifies the Judgement and explains the philosophy behind the prediction. King Wen wrote his commentary on the Hexagrams of the I Ching which became known as the Judgement and the Image. Each of these changing lines also had its own meaning, bringing the total number of answers the I Ching can provide to a whopping 4,096! An old Yang line would change into a new Yin line, and an old Yin line would change into a new Yang line. This is a line that is in the process of changing. King Wen, and his son, the Duke of Chou therefore conceived of the concept of a changing line. Sixty-four possible answers to any given question is better than what you would get with a Magic 8 Ball but when it comes down to it, its not a lot of answers for every concievable question. Each of these hexagrams took their image and meanings by the two trigrams that made it. Some time later, an unknown sage got the bright idea of combining the eight trigrams with each other, creating the sixty-four hexagrams that make up the I Ching. The trigram K'un on the other hand made up entirely of broken "Yin" lines symbolizes earth, the female, and passivity. For example the trigram Ch'ien which is made up entirely of unbroken "Yang" lines symbolizes heaven, the male, and activity. He is also credited with naming each trigram and giving them an associated image. Legend has it that Emperor Fu Shi 1 discovered the eight trigrams on the side of a dragon. The origins of the I Ching are lost in antiquity. With six lines there are sixty-four possible combinations, and therefore sixty-four hexagrams which make up the I Ching. When two trigrams are placed one on top of another, it becomes a hexagram. As there are eight possible combinations, there are eight trigrams. A line can be unbroken (a Yang line) or broken (a Yin line). The I Ching uses a set of symbols that represent the process of change. Furthermore, the very lines themselves have unique meanings if they are a "changing" line. These readings can be used for insight into whatever question that is before you. Each Hexagram has its own unique meaning. It utilizes symbols comprised of six broken and/or unbroken parallel lines known as hexagrams. For a better understanding of the philosophical and cosmological underpinning the history of Chinese philosophy, the I Ching is an invaluable starting point.The I Ching (pronounced yee jing) is an oracle or divination device, as well as a book of wisdom based on the principle of change. Introduced by Hon Tze-Ki, an esteemed scholar of the text, this up-to-date translation uncovers and explains both the philosophical and political interpretations of the text. ![]() As well as depicting all possible ethical situations, this new translation shows how the hexagram figures can represent social relationships and how the order of lines can be seen as a natural metaphor for higher or lower social rank. Complemented throughout by insightful commentaries, the I Ching: A Critical Translation of the Ancient Text simplifies the unique system of hexagrams lying at the centre of the text and introduces the cultural significance of key themes including yin and yang, gender and ethics. This new, accessible translation of the entire early text brings to life the hidden meanings and importance of China's oldest classical texts. The I Ching has influenced thinkers and artists throughout the history of Chinese philosophy.
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