I Ching for Beginners

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: I Ching for Beginners by Kristyna Arcarti published by Headway. 

The I Ching is an ancient method of divination, sometimes called The Book of Changes. It was written about 5000 years ago and is one of the oldest books in the world, and contains wisdom provided in old Chinese poetry of the feudal Mandarin era. Though highly complex, this book presents the matter very simply. The philosophy relates to the opposing energies that exist in the world, but shows that within every polarity is a part of the opposing force that creates eventually balance and harmony. ☯️

 

The oracle is for open questions, not the sort of question that requires a ‘yes or no’ answer but more of a dialogue, a learning experience! Oracles are based on the psychologist Carl Jung’s understanding of synchronicity, that when the time is right, something occurs to add greater understanding if we are ready to receive it. 

Though the oracel doesn't tell you what will happen in the future, the text is read, meditated upon, and the decision is made in the light of options. Tortoise shells were originally used and grains of rice were used in ancient times, yarrow sticks were used because yarrow grew on the grave of Confucius who was beloved of the I Ching.  

When using coins, the side with the design is yang, solid line, and has a value of 3. The side with little design is yin, a broken line and has a value of 2. If using modern coins, the heads is yang and the tails is yin. 

Shake 3 coins and throw them. Count up the values. Start creating the hexegram from the bottom. 

3 x 2 is a moving yin. 3 x 3 are a moving yang. 

Review by Wendy Stokes  https://wendystokes.co.uk