I Ching Plain & Simple: The Only Book You'll Ever Need

ISBN-13: 9781571747792

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing Company - Inc.

Publication Date: 05-01-2017

Pages: 192

Product Dimensions: 5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)

Series: Plain & Simple

Kim Farnell has been a professional astrologer since 1990 and has taught astrology and lectured extensively in the UK and overseas. She has an MA in cultural astronomy and astrology and is the author of several books.

Read an Excerpt

I Ching Plain & Simple

Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc.

Yin and Yang and the I Ching

Yin and yang are mutually dependent opposites. Looking at the world in terms of yin and yang gives one a real sense of how fluid the universe is, and no matter how you are feeling today, things are bound to change. As the Chinese say, you can never step into the same river twice. Yin originally meant "shady, secret, dark, lunar, mysterious and cold" like the shaded, north side of a mountain. Yang meant "clear, bright, solar and hot" like the lighted south side of a mountain. From these basic opposites, a complete system of opposites developed. Yin represents everything about the world that is dark, hidden, passive, receptive, yielding, cool, soft and feminine. Yang represents everything about the world that is illuminated, evident, active, aggressive, controlling, hot, hard and masculine.

Everything can be identified as either yin or yang. Earth is the ultimate yin object and heaven is the ultimate yang object. Although yin is feminine and yang masculine, most things (and people) are a mixture of the two. The familiar diagram of yin and yang flowing into each other shows the yin side with a yang dot within it and vice versa. This symbolizes the fact that each force contains the seed of the other and that under certain circumstances they can actually become the other.

Yin and Yang Characteristics

Trigrams and Hexagrams

The I Ching contains trigrams and hexagrams. A trigram is composed of three lines, and a hexagram is composed of six lines.

Some of the lines are complete:

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Other lines have a small break half way along.

A trigram may contain three unbroken lines, three broken ones or a mixture of both. Here is a typical trigram:

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Each hexagram, which is actually two trigrams that have been placed one above the other, is made up of six lines. A hexagram can have any combination of unbroken or broken lines. Here is a typical example of a mixed hexagram.

There are eight trigrams and 64 hexagrams (eight times eight) in the I Ching. Interestingly, the German philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who invented the binary system later used in computers, derived his inspiration from the I Ching: the binary instructions given to a computer consist of a mixture of ones and zeros, echoing the unbroken and broken lines of the I Ching.

The lines in the hexagrams represent the principles of yang and yin: the unbroken lines represent yang, while the broken ones represent yin. In the West, we are accustomed to writing across a page or by making a list that goes down the page, but in the I Ching, we create the hexagrams by starting at the bottom and working upward.

Casting the I Ching

The I Ching can't be used to give an overview of the future in the general way that the tarot can; it is designed to give an answer to a specific question. It is worth spending some time defining your question, perhaps noting it down in order to clarify it in your own mind.

Need a Quick Answer?

The full I Ching is extremely complex and its philosophies link to all aspects of life. The I Ching underpins Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, face reading and even Chinese palmistry! Despite the complexities, the point of this book is to make things as plain and simple as possible, so that an absolute beginner can use the system right away.

What if you are at work and you need a quick answer? Use this quick method because it doesn't require any equipment or preparation. Open this book at the pages that show all the hexagrams (pages 18–19) and then focus mentally on your question while drifting your fingers lightly over the page. You don't need to touch the page, just allow your fingers to wander over it until you find one or two hexagrams "drawing" you toward them. Some people will feel a slight change in temperature as though one of the hexagrams heats up slightly, others will just feel drawn to one or two hexagrams for no logical reason.

A variation on this theme is to use a pendulum. The best form of temporary pendulum is a necklace, especially one that has a pendant dangling on it. The only thing to mention is that this must be your own necklace and not one that you have borrowed from a friend or you might get your friend's reading instead of yours!

If you are using this quick and easy method, find your hexagram then skip to chapter 6, "Quick Interpretations" to find your answer.

To be honest, these quick methods are not the correct way to consult the I Ching, as preparing to read this ancient text is in itself a form of meditation that takes you from the workaday world and puts you in the right frame of mind to accept the advice this ancient text provides.

Casting

The simplest form of casting is to use three coins. You can buy copies of ancient Chinese coins in a gift shop and keep these for your I Ching readings, or you can ask your bank to give you three shiny new coins. It is best to use three coins of the same denomination, as they will be the same size and weight. If you use Chinese coins, you will need to choose which side will represent "heads" to you and which will be "tails."

* * *

Whatever coins you use, keep them aside and use them specifically for your I Ching readings. The Chinese say that anything that you use for divination creates a link with the gods so keep your tools above head height, as this is closer to the gods. This also keeps them out of harm's way. It is nice to give your readings a touch of ceremony, so you might want to use a decorative cloth and keep it with your coins.

Now practice for a while. Throw your three coins gently onto your special cloth and see how they fall. They may all land the same way up or two will land one way up and the third will land the other way. If the majority of coins land as heads, this will be yang, but if the majority are tails, this will be yin.

Making a Start

Always have pen and paper on hand so that you can note the outcomes of your castings. Throw the coins gently while thinking of your question and then leave your coins on the table for a while. If the majority of coins are yang (heads) draw a straight line.

If the majority of the coins are yin (tails) draw a line with a break in it.

If you have thrown three heads or three tails draw a little cross in the middle of your line.

This special line is called a "changing line," and its importance will be discussed later.

After you have drawn your first line, pick up and throw your coins again, but draw your second line above the first. Then do the same again, drawing each new line above the last, until you have six lines.

Your result will look something like the example below.

Now you can read on to discover what your hexagram means. Don't forget that all hexagrams are made up from two trigrams, and each trigram has information to offer in addition to the information contained in the whole hexagram. The lower three lines contain the first trigram and the upper three contain the second trigram.

Finding Your Hexagrams

Now that you have drawn your lines, look at your illustration and compare it to the table below to find the hexagram that matches yours. For the time being, ignore any crosses that you may have marked. Finding your hexagram in the chart is a procedure takes a little time and patience but that alone makes it act as a form of meditation that takes you away from the rush and bustle of daily life.

If you're using the quick and easy method, go straight to chapter 6, "Quick Interpretations" to find your plain and simple answer.

The Lines

Hexagrams With No "Changing" Lines

After six throws of the coins, you will end up with six lines. You will recall from the discussion on page 14, when you throw three of a kind — all heads or all tails — the result will be a "changing" line. If all six of the lines in your hexagram were arrived at by throwing coins where two were of one kind and one was of the other kind, you will not draw a little cross on any of the lines, which means none will be "changing" lines.

All you need to do now is to find the hexagram in the illustration, and look it up in the interpretation section in this book (chapter 5, "Interpreting the Hexagrams"). A hexagram that has no changing lines suggests that your current situation or problem is almost at an end.

Each hexagram comprises two trigrams. The lower trigram indicates your own actions, while the upper trigram refers to the actions of others. The trigrams also offer further information about direction, time of the year, and so on, as you will see in chapter 4, "The Trigrams."

Hexagrams With Changing Lines

If one or more of the lines have been created as the result of a three-of-a-kind throw — three heads (yang) or three tails (yin) — you must mark the lines or lines with a small cross in the middle.

This shows that the situation you asked about in your question is ongoing, and your reading will show whether you have to live with it, you can improve it, or you should walk away from it if you can. In the case of a hexagram that contains one or more changing lines, after you have read the interpretation for the hexagram, you must read the interpretation for any of the lines marked with a cross.

The Changes in Action

Once you have read the information and the information on each of the changing lines, alter the marked lines so that an unbroken yang lines becomes a broken yin lines and vice versa.

As you can see, the marked lines have now changed from yang to yin or vice versa and you now have a new hexagram to read. The second hexagram will offer further information on the current situation and its outcome.

The Trigrams

You can pull your hexagrams apart to make two trigrams. As always with the I Ching, you must start with the bottom line and work upward. Draw the lower three lines on a piece of paper and mark this "inner trigram." Then draw the upper three lines and mark this "outer trigram."

There are eight possible trigram patterns. In addition to the interpretation you will find for each hexagram, you will discover that there are many ideas that are linked to each trigram, in much the same way that many different things are linked to the signs of the zodiac in Western astrology. Here is a list of a few basic topics that might help you to make more of your I Ching reading.

For instance, a particular family member (father, mother, sister) might be involved in your reading. If family figures don't apply in your life, the person might be similar in some way to a parent figure, brother or sister figure, and so on. For example, your boss might be represented by a parent figure and a colleague or friend could be symbolized by a brother or sister figure.

A certain direction may be important to you, such as north, south, northeast and so on. Or perhaps a time of the year or a time of day may be significant. A color might have some significance, as might a number. For instance, the trigram might forecast the color of the front door or the number of the house, the time of day that you enter it and so on.

This chapter will review each of the eight possible trigrams, providing you the keywords and concepts associated with each so you can explore the ideas embedded in your hexagram.

A Recap

• Read your hexagram as a whole.

• If you have marked any lines with a cross, read these.

• Split your hexagram into two trigrams.

• First read the trigram formed by the lower three lines. This signifies the things that you want, what is going on in your mind, or the effect of the action that you might take.

• Now read the trigram formed by the upper three lines of the hexagram. This trigram suggests outside influences that may bear on your question.

• Now take the lines that you have marked with a cross (changing lines) and alter them over so that any yang lines are now yin and vice versa. This creates a second hexagram.

• Read the new hexagram and the trigrams that it makes.

The Trigrams in Detail

When a hexagram is formed by a double trigram (that is, the same pattern above as below), the meaning of the hexagram is intensified. This configuration suggests that you need to pay extra heed to the guidance given or the situation that is depicted.

Here are the interpretations for each of the eight trigrams, and their correspondences. The trigrams are always listed in the order that follows.

This pure yang trigram is one of the two most powerful of all the trigrams. It is entirely masculine and it represents action, drive and energy. Chien represents the power of heaven or the power that is held by the head of a family or organization. It represents authority, power, strength, creativity, logic and courage. Chien suggests a time when you must focus your mind and energies on a particular goal in order to achieve your ambition. While the trigram can symbolize any part of your life, the chances are that this trigram concerns your career, working for an exam or achieving any goal that you have in mind. Chien shows a desire to be in control and to put things in order.

This entirely feminine trigram is one of the two most important trigrams. The three broken lines of K'un symbolize earth as a support for human life as well as the burial ground for death. The earth is soft and receptive and it can take punishment with a high degree of tolerance. K'un seeks to leave things as they are. Loyalty and practicality combine with inner strength, so that a K'un person is the one who you can turn to in a crisis. The most feminine of the trigrams, K'un represents the attributes of care, nurture and consideration for others. It relates to feelings and emotions as well as intuition. The key ideas associated with K'un are receptivity, endurance, acceptance, patience and docility.

The two broken lines on top convey the image of a lightning strike and the bottom solid line symbolizes elevation. Thus, the image is that of lightning striking the top of a mountain. Chen symbolizes the birth of an idea and the independence and assertion to act on it. Shock tactics can be used to gain effect and it can produce revolutionary results. Chen is associated with regeneration. It represents male arousal and sexuality, fertility, initiative, action and energy.

A solid line between two broken lines symbolizes water. The two broken lines represent riverbanks with a river running between them. The solid line in the middle represents motion, so this creates the image of water flowing in a river. K'an is independent and self-reliant as it believes in doing things for itself. The masculine line in the midst of two feminine lines represents a form of transition or changes that can bring danger.

K'an represents turning points or times when you are not in control of events. Uncertainty, unpredictable times, danger and stress are shown by this trigram. In favorable circumstances, the change can be a challenge; at other times it is something to be feared. It shows hard times and desires that are unlikely to be fulfilled for the time being.

A solid line above two broken lines symbolizes a mountain. The solid line represents height and the bottom two broken lines represent earth as a base. Thus this image is a mountain elevated above the earth. It represents keeping still and holding onto the past to keep things as they were. Ken represents a time of retreat and reflection when spiritual issues take precedence over worldly ones. Earthly concerns can be forgotten while one concentrates on religious or philosophical ideas. It shows a time of silence, isolation and withdrawal. Those represented by this trigram seek seclusion or they may find themselves temporarily secluded, hospitalized or otherwise cut off from life.

The two solid lines above a broken line symbolize wind. The two solid lines represent the sky while the broken line represents earth. The wind is invisible and we can see its existence only by observing the moving treetops. Sun represents evolution, slow growth and gradual change for the better. It represents feminine virtues of endurance, gentle determination, adaptability and fair play.

A broken line between two solid lines symbolizes fire. The two solid lines show the movement of a fire while the broken line is the unmoving center of the fire. Li represents mutual support, welfare and helping others. It also relates to illumination and inspiration, clarity and knowledge. It represents those who are generous and big hearted.

A broken line on top of two solid lines symbolizes a marsh. The top broken line represents water and the bottom two solid lines symbolize the sky. If we look down at a body of water we see the reflected sky below. Tui is inventive, entrepreneurial and always ready to do business. Tui represents the psychic world and it is associated with healing, magic, joy and pleasure. It often refers to women who are fun to be with but who have no power within the family — such as mistresses or friends.

Seasons, Time, and the Trigrams

The trigrams can be quite helpful because each refers to a specific time of year, so it is easy to see how a certain season might be relevant to your question.

The trigrams also relate to specific times of day and to certain times. As usual, the first two trigrams (Chien, heaven and K'un, earth) are the most important and each of these two has three possible meanings.

---

Excerpted from I Ching Plain & Simple by Kim Farnell. Copyright © 2017 Kim Farnell. Excerpted by permission of Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

<

Table of Contents

Introduction: What Is the I Ching? 1

1 Yin and Yang and the I Ching 7

2 Casting the I Ching 13

3 Finding Your Hexagrams 19

4 The Trigrams 25

5 Interpreting the Hexagrams 41

6 Quick Interpretations 171