As an enthusiastic student of occult history, few subjects are as fascinating to me as the I Ching. This ancient text, also known as the Book of Changes, has been consulted for thousands of years to divine the future, guide decision-making, and reveal the hidden patterns of the universe. But what is the I Ching, and how did it come to be?
The origins of the I Ching are shrouded in mystery. According to legend, the book can be traced back to ancient China, but there are several theories about how it came to be. One theory suggests that the I Ching was created by the legendary emperor Fu Xi, while another theory attributes its creation to the mythical figure Laozi, the founder of Taoism. Some scholars believe the I Ching was compiled during the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE) based on earlier divinatory texts. Regardless of its origins, the I Ching has profoundly impacted Chinese culture and philosophy, and its influence has also spread to the West.
The I Ching is used for divination in a traditional Chinese form of cleromancy, in which bundles of yarrow stalks are manipulated to produce sets of six apparently random numbers ranging from 6 to 9. Each of the 64 possible sets corresponds to a hexagram, which can be looked up in the I Ching. The I Ching is based on change, harmony, and the three potencies of heaven, earth, and humankind, highlighting the co-dependence between the natural and human realms. The sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching represent the basic circumstances of change in the cosmos. By consulting the document reverently, a person can select a hexagram or hexagrams that will guide the present and the future.
The I Ching influenced some well-known European philosophers and scientists, notably Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who used the Book of Changes to develop binary code, the basis of modern digital technology. The I Ching also inspired Taoism to create many theories of regimen based on Yin Yang, The Five Elements, and Ba Gua.
Development
It was not until the Warring States period (475-221 BCE) that the I Ching began to take on the form familiar to us today. During this time, a group of scholars known as the School of Changes began to study and comment on the I Ching, developing a system of interpretation that made the text more accessible to a wider audience. These scholars, including Confucius himself, believed that the hexagrams of the I Ching represented not just abstract concepts but concrete situations that could be applied to everyday life.
By the time of the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), the I Ching had become a staple of Chinese culture. It was used for divination, personal reflection, political decision-making, and military strategy. The I Ching underwent another transformation during the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE). The scholar and statesman Wang Bi produced a new commentary on the text, emphasizing its philosophical and metaphysical significance. According to Wang Bi, the I Ching was not just a guide to action but a reflection of the underlying principles of the cosmos.
Over the centuries, the popularity of the I Ching has waxed and waned, but it has never lost its appeal to those seeking insight into the mysteries of life. One reason for this enduring fascination is the flexibility of the hexagrams themselves. Although the basic structure of the I Ching remains the same, the meaning of each hexagram can be interpreted in various ways depending on the context in which it is used. This has allowed the I Ching to adapt to changing historical circumstances and to remain relevant to people of different cultures and backgrounds.
Another reason for the I Ching's popularity is the many layers of symbolism within its pages. Each hexagram is associated with a range of images, such as animals, plants, and celestial bodies, that are thought to represent different aspects of the human experience. For example, the hexagram Kun, which represents the earth, is associated with a mother who nurtures her children, while the hexagram Qian, which represents heaven, is associated with the image of a father who provides for his family. These images provide a rich source of inspiration for those seeking guidance from the I Ching.
The I Ching has also been influential outside of China. In the West, Jesuit missionaries first introduced it in the 17th century, who were fascinated by its divinatory practices. Since then, it has been embraced by various Western thinkers, from psychoanalyst Carl Jung to counterculture icon Timothy Leary. Today, the I Ching continues to inspire and intrigue people worldwide.
The Standard vs. Classical Sequence
The King Wen sequence, also known as the classical sequence, is an arrangement of the sixty-four divination figures in the I Ching. Each figure, or hexagram, comprises six yin or yang lines, and the sequence is arranged in pairs. The first thirty-two hexagrams form the first division, while the last thirty-two hexagrams form the second division. This arrangement was created by King Wen, who added text to each hexagram to aid in their interpretation.
On the other hand, the standard model is a more recent arrangement often used in modern translations. It was created by Richard Wilhelm, who based it on order used in the commentaries of Wang Bi and others. The standard model linearly arranges the hexagrams, with the first hexagram at the top and the sixty-fourth hexagram at the bottom.
One major difference between the two arrangements is their emphasis on pairs of hexagrams. The King Wen sequence strongly emphasizes pairing hexagrams, each representing a complete change cycle. This emphasis on pairs is not present in the standard model, which places a greater emphasis on the individual hexagrams themselves. Another difference between the two arrangements is their historical significance. The King Wen sequence has a long history and is considered classical, while the standard model is a more recent creation. This historical significance has led some scholars to argue that the King Wen sequence is a more authentic representation of the original text of the I Ching.
Getting Started with the I Ching
Here is a step-by-step guide for getting started with using the I Ching for divination:
Formulate a clear question or intention for your reading. The I Ching works best when you have a specific focus for your inquiry, such as a decision you must make or a problem you're trying to solve.
Obtain an I Ching text or book. You can purchase a hard copy of the text or use an online version. It's important to have a reliable translation, such as the one by Alfred Huang.
Decide on a method for casting the I Ching. One common method is to use three coins, assigning numerical values to heads and tails, then adding the total. Each head is a 3, and each tail is a 2. You will toss the coins six times and record the number of heads and tails each time. Another method is to use yarrow stalks, which involves sorting a bundle of 50 stalks, then using a specific procedure for selecting and counting them.
Cast the I Ching using your chosen method. While you cast, focus on your question or intention. If you're using the coin method, note which lines are changing - which had a value of 6 or 9 - as you cast them. If you're using an online version, the results page will display the changing lines for you.
Consult the I Ching text or book for the hexagram that corresponds to your cast. The hexagram is made up of six lines, each of which can be either solid or broken. The hexagram will provide a general overview of your situation and answer your question. If any lines are changing, consult the text for the corresponding secondary hexagram, which will provide additional insight.
Reflect on the hexagram and its meaning for your situation. Consider any additional insights from the secondary hexagram or the changing lines. Use your intuition and wisdom to interpret the hexagram and apply its guidance to your life.
It's important to remember that the I Ching is a tool for spiritual guidance and personal insight and should be used with respect and reverence. With practice, the I Ching can become a powerful ally in your personal growth and development journey.