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introduction to i ching


ichingThe i-ching is said to represent the 8 fundamental forces of nature, which make up the 8 trigrams.  At some point they were arranged into an octagonal form, known as the Bagu, which showed opposite pairs or forces, and they were given specific names takens from nature.

A trigram, as its name suggests is an arrangement of 3 lines, with a solid line used to represent yang energies, and a broken line to represent the yin energies.  In Chinese though, the yin and yang energies are the 2 principles that underlie all of creation, the complimentary opposites, that are apparent in everything. When combined with one another, the trigrams make up the 64 hexagrams of the i-ching.

The 64 Hexagrams

1   CH'IEN
The Creative-Masculine, dynamic,inspiring.
2   K'UN
The Receptive-Feminine,yeilding,receptive.
3   CHUN                        
Difficult Begginings-Immaturity,new growth,sprouting, perseverance.
4   MENG
Youthfull Folly-Inexperience, guidance,enthusiasm,tuition.
5   HSU
Waiting-Correctness, patience, perseverance,nourishment.
6   SUNG
Conflict-Opposition, disengagement, communication.
7   SHIH
The Army-Unity,harmony,acting in concert,strength,division.
8   PI
Holding Together-Union,bonding,co-operation.
9 HSIAO CH'U
The taming power of the small-Patience,yeilding,strength,gentle action.
10 LU
Conduct-Caution,courtesy,simplicity,innocence.
11 TAI
Peace -Balance,harmony,new growth,prosperity.
12 P'I
Standstill-Lack of progress,barriers,stagnation.
13 T'UNG JEN
Fellowship with others-Cohesion,bonding,strength in numbers, co-operation.
14 TA YU
Possessing Plenty- Feminine,yeilding,receptive,gentle,providing,bountiful.  
15 CH'iEN
Modesty -Quietly progressing,steadfast,deepening,developing.
16 YU
Enthusiasm -Energy,opportunity,support.
17 SUI
Following-Acceptance,following,joy.
18 KU
Work on Corruption-Disruption,decay,disorder,spoiled,repairing.
19 LIN
Approach-Advance,waxing power,strenght,benevolence.
20 KUAN
Contemplation-Meditation,understanding,perceiving,example.
21 SHIH HO
Biting Through-Clarity,decisivness,obstacle,unity.
22 PI
Grace-Adornment,beauty,simplicity.
23 PO
Splitting appart-Strong,enduring,patient,non-action.
24 FU
Return- Change,turning point,improvement.
25 WU WANG
Innocence - Purity,innocence,sincerity,intuition.
26 TA CH'U
The Taming power of the Great-Keeping still, tension,practise,staying firm.
27 I
Corners of the mouth-Nourishment,discipline,meditation,fulfilment.
28 TA KUO
Preponderance of the Great-Pressure,regeneration,growth,cautious progress.
29 K'AN
The Abysmal -Depths,despair,danger,alertness.
30 Li
The Clinging-Dependence,passion,brilliance,creativity.
31 HSIEN
Influence-Harmony,mutual benefit,coming together,courtship.
32 HENG
Duration-Persistence,progress,indurance,stamina.
33 TUN
Retreat-Withdrawal,conserving strength,stillness,order.
34 TA CHUANG
The Power of the Great-Self posession,strength,heaven,patience.    
35 CHIN
Progress-Advancement,dawning,rising.
36 MING I
Darkening of the Light-Opression,dampening,sunset, inner light.
37 CHIA JEN
The Family- Harmony,togetherness,loyalty,health,balance,structure.
38 K'UEI
Opposition -Misunderstanding,contrary,resistance,adversity.
39 CHIEN
Obstruction-Obstacles, blockages,barriers,stuck.
40 HSIEH
Deliverance- Releif,release,growth,progression.
41 SUN
Decrease-Dicipline,simplicity,limited,drawing in,restricted.
42 I
Increase-Improvement,gain,progress.
43 KUAI
Breakthrough -Resolutness,determination,resistence.
44 KOU
Coming to Meet-Caution,awareness,temptation,tolerance.
45 TS'UI
Gathering Together-Peace,harmony,co-operation,prosperity,leadership.
46 SHENG
Pushing Upwards-Direction,ascending,growth.
47 K'UN
Oppression-Exhuastion,stretched,adversity,endurance.
48 CHING
The Well- Spiritual nourishment,counsel,guidance,wisdom.
49 KO
Revolution -Change,advance,devotion.
50 TING
The Cauldron - Growth,sacrafice,nourishment.
51 CHEN
The Arousing- Shock,movement,stimulation.
52 KEN
Keeping Still- Stillness,observing,quietness,clarity,readiness.
53 CHIEN
Development-Gradual progress, patience,steady growth.
54 KUEI MEI
The Marrying Maiden-Impulsiveness,disturbance,desire,proper conduct,dicipline.
55 FENG
Abundance-Fullness,power,wise,actions,plenty.
56 LU
The Wanderer-Moving,restless,temporary,transient.
57 SUN
The gentle- Gentle,penetrating,wind,persistence.
58 TUI
The Joyous- Inner strength,fullfilment,harmony,joy.
59 HUAN
Dispersion- Division,disoloution,rigidity,stubourness.
60 CHIEH
Limitation-Restraint,moderation,guidelines.
61 CHUNG FU
Inner Truth- prejudice,understanding,acceptance.
62 HSIAO KUO
Preponderance of the Small-Non-action,caution,patience.
63 CHI CHI
After completion-Order,awareness,balance,culmination.
64 WEI CHI
Before Completion-Caution,regeneration,potential,clarity.

Consulting the Oracle

iching coinsA physical way of constructing a hexagram is required, and the most common way to do this is to throw or cast 3 coins. Dedicating your coins for this purpose is also reccomended.The head side of the coin is considered  the 'yang'  and is given a value of 3. The tails side is the 'yin' and has a value of 2. When the coins are thrown a total of 6,7,8,or 9 is obtained. Giving lines which are either yin (even numbers) or yan (odd
numbers).

Example of throw combinations:

3 heads                 = 9 _ _ changes to _ _
2 heads,1 tails      = 8 _ _
1 head, 2 tails       = 7 __
3 tails                   = 6 _x_ changes to __

When you are ready to consult the oracle, you can do this by letting go of every day thoughts, and light some incense or a candle. When you are ready, hold the question in your mind and then drop the coins onto a hard surface, making note of the pattern to give you a number. Repeat this process a further 5 times until you have 6 totals. The hexagram is then constructed upwards, so that the first total makes up the bottom line.

Changing Lines

A line totalling 6 (old yin) or 9 (old yang) changes to its young opposite. The changing lines give deeper insights into a reading, being used to produce a second hexagram. The initial hexagram relates to present conditions, whilst the second hexagram relates to the future or outcome of a situation. Alternativly, it can be used to clarify the origonal question.

The 8 forces of the I-Ching

Ch'ien/Heaven: The creative
Chen/Thunder: The Arousing
K'un/Earth: The Receptive
Sun/Wind: The Gentle & Penetrating
Li/Fire: The Clinging
Ken/Mountain: TheStillness
Kan/Water: The Abysmal
Tui/Lake: The joyful.