The I Ching is actually an ancient divination system consisting of 64 chapters, based on 64 hexagrams that represent ‘answers’ to life. Hexagrams are determined using cleromancy, a process of producing random numbers in a limited order using a specified method. Two methods exist. The oldest method involves the use of 50 yarrow stems and is quite complex. The most common and simpler method is to use three heads and tails coins. By following the casting rules you will arrive at a hexagram that will be used to answer your question.
Asking questions
Asking the right question in the right way is just as important as getting the answer you need. Too often, clients will want to approach astrology, tarot, and the I Ching in hopes of getting an answer to a question that is inappropriate or ineffective to ask. Astrology and tarot are particularly open-ended and are ideal for questions about life purpose, shaping your career or developing your relationship. The I Ching is much more direct and tends toward more explicit yes/no or good idea/bad idea results.
First, the most common inappropriate question is one that involves obtaining information that should have been provided by an external source, without prying. Such as: “I applied for a new job, will I get it?” Or “is my husband/wife cheating on me?” The hiring person is supposed to give you the answer to the first question and hiring a private investigator would be a better use of your money trying to get an answer to the second question.
Better questions, along the same lines, which are also empowering rather than disempowering questions, would be: “If I get the job, what do I need to know?” and “how do I feel about the way my husband/wife treats me (regardless of any cheating issues)?” In either case, these questions are self-directed and may be the tools that are most helpful.
Astrology offers the widest and deepest range when it comes to understanding the timing and duration of a situation or question. Tarot is more about the present moment and concerns about the immediate future. The I Ching is mainly about what you need to know ‘now’. That’s why customers are most likely to use it when they ask something like, “I want to buy the house at 1000 New Street Lane; Should I buy it?” “My boyfriend asked me out for a romantic date, should I go?”
Toss coins for the answer
The easiest method to determine which hexagram will answer your question is to toss three coins six times in a row. I like to use half dollars minted before 1964 because they contain silver and have a nice weight. Customers collect the coins and place them in their hands. I ask them which hand is dominant and tell them to put the coins in that hand and cover them with the other hand.
To start, they say the question out loud: “My boyfriend asked me out on a romantic date, should I go?” I tell them to shake the coins and then throw them into a container I have for casting. The coins can land in one of four combinations: 3 heads, 3 tails, 2 heads/1 tails or 2 tails/1 heads. If the coins are all heads, the line is solid, but “moving”; 2 heads/1 tail is broken and repaired; 2 tails/1 head is firm and firm; and 3 tails are broken and “moving”.
Lines that ‘move’ indicate action regarding the question. If all the lines of the hexagram are fixed, there is no movement in the question and the answer is limited to the present moment. I Ching books provide a general interpretation of the entire hexagram, as well as interpretations of individual lines. If there are any “moving” lines, you will want to refer to those lines specifically for additional information about the answer.
The customer repeats the question and tosses the coins 5 more times. Lines are recorded from bottom to top. So the first roll represents the bottom line of the hexagram and the last roll is the top line.
Considering the answer
Let’s consider an answer. The client asked for the date, tossed the coins and arrived at hexagram 34: Teh-Khwang – Great Power. It consists of the trigrams Heaven and Thunder, with Heaven below and Thunder above.
Source: Wikipedia
The Oracle, from Sam Reilfer’s book I Ching: A New Interpretation for Modern Times, says: “Thunder rages above the heavens. The superior man is extremely correct, whatever he does. Improvement, if you stay the course” (p. 149). So the answer is essentially yes, go on a date. If none of the lines ‘move’, then the answer is ready and you can decide to embrace the answer or resist it.
But let’s say one line is moving; the 4e The line from the bottom is actually a solid “moving” line, meaning it will turn into a broken line and lead the questioner to another hexagram, number 11, with the sky below and the earth above: T-Hai – Peace. The first answer will lead to a second consideration due to a moving line.
In this case the Oracle is ‘Heaven descends. The earth rises. They join. Heaven and earth mingle in the person. The wise person brings this agreement to the people. Prosperous. Good luck” (p. 59). The answer is actually: “go for it!” Will these people live happily ever after, who knows? But the answer right now is almost a resounding “yes”!
Now suppose there are two moving lines; the 4e one and the 6e one, meaning the hexagram becomes hexagram 26: Teh-Khiu – Great restraint. The Oracle is ‘heaven in the mountain. The superior person stores the words and deeds of history in his/her mind to know what is right. Stay the course. Don’t collect your rewards. Don’t begrudge your debt to society. You can cross the big water.’ Although happiness may seem possible, you should not compromise yourself or your integrity towards this person.
Get your answer
What makes the I Ching especially useful is throwing the coins yourself. Whether you have a professional help you through the process, by guiding you in asking the question correctly and helping you understand the interpretation, or you do the process yourself. . It is ‘your hands’ that are tossing the coins, so it is your message through your energy and your higher self. Even if short-term joy leads to long-term challenge or vice versa, the lesson remains yours in mastering the coin toss.