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 Scroll 16
Using the I Ching

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Scroll 16 contains :

The Method of Use of the I Ching

The I Ching can be used for
Divination

The I Ching is an ancient system of Divination.

It can be consulted for essentially any purpose. That is, any question that you can formulate, or any situation that requires an external input of wisdom or guidance, can be submitted.

The following instructions set forth a method for consulting with the I Ching:

Tao

1. Tao focuses itself as a point.

2. Tao d1rects itself within the realm of wisdom and becomes the Male Force. He is called YANG, the first dimension. His symbol is a solid Line:

3. Tao expands into the realm of understanding and becomes the Female force. She is called YIN, the second dimension. Her symbol is a broken line:

4. These three: Tao, Yang & Yin, bring forth heaven & earth, the third dimension, and all contained therein.

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The Apparatus

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5. Obtain six coins. Five must be of one metal and the sixth of another (this is the special "Moving" coin or "Moving" line).

7. One side of each coin you will call Yang, and the other Yin (Heads & Tails).

8. These coins should be kept in a wrapped black cloth of silk or wool, and no other person should lay his hand upon them, for they expand with your aura when used with sincerity and repetition.

 

 

9. Hast no coins? Six sticks will serve. Paint one side solid (blank) and the other side broken (striped).

One of the six is special: It is made unique by painting one end on both sides.
This is called the "moving line."

Four solid (yang) sticks and two broken (yin) sticks >
the second stick up from the bottom is the "moving line."

Care for your sticks as though they were coins.

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The Method

10. When a situation arises and you would seek an oracle, do thus:

Go and take out your coins or sticks.

11. Face East; and make your mind clear, so that no thoughts intrude,

12. Focus your mind on a fixed image of the situation into which you inquire.

13. Then, gently toss the sticks or coins toward the East; they will fall into a certain pattern which you will arrange into a Hexagram - the unit of Divination of this book: I Ching.

The Pattern is determined by:

Moving (up) the farthest coin or stick from you into the 6th (highest) line position.
Moving (down) the closest coin or stick to you into the 1st (lowest) line position.
Moving the other coins or sticks into the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th line positions.

If coins or sticks fall upon each other,
or are otherwise difficult to determine which is farthest or closest,
then choose the one whose center is highest to move up,
or simply disregard the pattern and throw it again.

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The Hexagram

14. A Hexagram is made up of six lines; each line being Yang or Yin. The special stick or coin called "The Moving Line" will be one of these lines.

15. Each line of the Hexagram is numbered: The line nearest to you is number One; the farthest away is number Six.

An Example

You concentrated upon your situation, and your sticks have fallen thus:

Line 6
Line 5
Line 4

Line 3
Line 2 ... (the Moving Line)
Line 1

^ This is the pattern shown above (#33 - Retreat) as derived from either the coin or the stick method

In this example, Line 2 is the Moving Line. It is the special coin of a different metal, or the stick with the painted end. It has a particular meaning, and will be discussed below.

Note that the Hexagram is divided into two Trigrams: An upper Trigram & a lower Trigram.

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The Interpretation

16. Take the Key and find the Upper Trigram along the top of the squares.
. . . . . . . In the case of our example, the Upper Trigram is "Chien" (Heaven).

17. Next, find the Lower Trigram along the left side of the Key.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In the case of our example, the Lower Trigram is "Ken" (Mountain).

18. Follow the Trigram lines into the grid - Behold the number 33 !

Now it's time to get out the Book !

19. Thus, you will read the thirty-third Hexagram in the Book of Changes.

20. The first paragraph refers to the Hexagram as a whole, showing you the general nature and direction of the matter.

21. Next, six lines of text appear. The first text line pertains to line number One in the Hexagram. The last text line is for line number Six (the one farthest from yourself).

But you won't read all six lines - Read only your Moving Line.

22. The Moving Line (in this case, line number Two) is the specific line which pertains to your situation: The corresponding answer to your question from the Tao.

Carl G. Jung, M.D.,
the pioneer psychologist,
coined a word for what should happen with the I Ching;
He called it Synchronicity, and defined it as
"Meaningful Coincidence"

If the chapter and line in the I Ching text make sense to you,
then congratulations ! You have established a working link
with one of the oldest divination systems on the planet.

If your divination really doesn't make much sense,
then forget it, set the I Ching aside,
and continue with your life as if it never happened.

Some people are never able to make this system work for them

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