The I Ching (translated: Book Of Change(s)) was authored approximately 5000 years ago by Fu Hsi, King Wen, the Duke of Chous and Confuscious. It is still a widely used form of "reading" in many cultures. The I Ching is best used for answering deep questions where you will get answers to contemplate...asking yes or no questions will be useless with the I Ching.
The ritual used in the I Ching consists of tossing three coins (if you are using pennies they are deemed to be the luckiest coin) six times while concentrating on your question and recording the results. There are 64 possible hexagram outcomes. The recorded results will be based on the following coin tosses:
Two heads = results in a solid line
Two tails = results in a broken line
Three heads = results in a "changing solid line"
Three tails = results in a "changing broken line"
Each throw results in a line that is stacked one on top of the other until you have something like this:
 |
| Not necessary to actually tattoo the results...sheesh! |
_ _sixth toss
___fifth toss
___fourth toss
_ _third toss
___second toss
___first toss
This will be your hexagram. If any of the tosses results in a "changing" solid or broken line, you will need to draw a second hexagram changing the solid or broken line for that toss to its opposite i.e. a changing solid line would show as a broken line in the second hexgram. All other lines would remain the same in the second hexagram. The reading will then be a combination of these two hexagrams.
You will need to invest in a book on the I Ching to have pictures and meanings of all the 64 possible combinations of hexagrams. Once you have built your hexagram that will be the answer to the question you were concentrating on while throwing the coins. That's all there is to it.
As far as relating to 2012, the I Ching hexagrams were dissected and plotted back in the 70's and then graphed. The researchers related the I Ching to 2012 in a new way. Extending their graphs over a period of time showed some unique alignments: when the "new world" (a high on the graph) was discovered and lows when the Roman empire fell and the world wars took place. The researchers were unaware of the Mayan calendar at the time but their graphs ended in a low and it was late in 2012!
Who knows, maybe there is more to this than first thought.
May the I Ching answer all your burning questions...
14 comments:
Complicated. I read this twice, and I still don't quite understand. I'd love to have a reading done someday, though!
I am believer that yes, there are patterns that have shaped the world that we live in. Do I think the world we now know will change drastically by the end of the year, yes.
Am I going to toss my own pennies & tattoo myself, no. Not today anyway.
You did your research for this one, Chuck!
Wow! I'd always been curious about the I Ching (including pronunciation--thanks for that!). You did a great job of explaining it. Thank you!
It's fascinating and humbling to realize how ancient cultures were so much more spiritual and enlightened than today's Western world. That's to say, my brain hurts after reading this, though I appreciate the education. Thanks, Chuck.=)
xoRobyn
Not going to lie, that sounds complicated.
Fellow A-Zer: http://libbyheily.blogspot.com/
I have so many questions. Does I Ching grant wishes too?
Anyway, that's actually a pretty cool technique. I may have to go get my one of them books.
Stephanie: One of my curses is to make the simple sound complicated...it really is fairly simple when it comes to the mechanics of it, deciphering the meanings might be the complicated part.
Jenn: Fibonaci, chaos theory, numerology, patterns shape our world and yet so few understand or can read them.
Alex: I have always been intrigued by eastern mysticism and culture. I admit I don't know much about it but I am always looking to increase that knowledge.
Guilie: Glad you enjoyed this post, tell me, do you pronounce you name like Julie? Interesting.
Robyn: Take two chocolate bunnys (small) and call me in the morning. It is simpler than it sounds...try it.
Libby: Thanks for the A-Z stop over. It really is easier than I make it sound. I used too many words maybe. Sorry.
Chiz: You are confusing I Ching with the genie in the lamp. First clue: no rubbing out a parachute panted spirit with the I Ching. So the answer would be no I'm afraid. Amazon has the book.
Dude, you know I'm too friggin A.D.D. to even come close to figuring this shizz out! I do love chinese food though...
I think it's a complicated way to make a decision. Me, I often don't have a lot of time to make decisions. However, I know there are many who look for ways to make good decisions.
At least the I Ching requires some real work and not just the shaking of a black eight ball to get some possible answers to consider. In today's micro-speed world, not enough of us would have the patience if it requires contemplative consideration and not just "yes" or "no".
I found it interesting how it - unknowingly - had some results in close alignment with the Mayan calendar.
I like how you ended with "that's all there is to it." Sounds a bit complicated!
Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z
Pat: it is waay more simple than I explain...believe me. But I understand your condition.
Clarissa: Hey maybe you could use it in a book sometime...as an analogy maybe.
Angela: Feel free to try it out and report back! It's what the A-Z is all about!
Shannon: I am sorry I have a complicated way of explaining simple things. It really isn't that bad.
I'll stick with Tarot.
They have pictures.
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