This shows various forms of restraint during a time of building tension. The dark clouds are accumulating, and we know that eventually the rain will fall and the tension will be released. Rain symbolizes a union between Heaven and Earth, a synthesis that it is still building, and although the tension seems to demand action we are counseled to remain still. The magnetic force must hold the overwhelming pressure of the dynamic forces in check.

Was wondering whether anyone in England or Europe knows where i can purchase either a hardbound or softcover copy of the Yijing in Traditional Chinese?

I could print it off via ctext.org but i'd like an actual copy. I could also get it from various temples in Hong Kong back home, but the shipping takes too long and fees are expensive.

Thanks!

Archetypal intelligence created many dimensions of awareness, maintaining benevolent contact with them all. This Hexagram depicts the Self surrounded by its satellites complexes. This image portrays the functioning of a divine process, the Self establishing the various complexes within the psyche so that they can evolve into a reflection of the archetypal ideal intenent of the Work. Although the psyche is being held together relatively coherently, its inner relationships of these archetypes are continuously orbiting each other in cycles of change.

The idea of this hexagram is that the ego-complex is the general officer that nourishes, educates and controls the inferior complexes within the psyche. This can only be accomplished through discipline. The image of Discipline deals with the management of forces as a coordinated whole, as long as they are under the firm command of the ego (who is only a general carrying out the orders of the Self), things proceed successfully.

Essay here

ChatGPT summary:

This essay proposes that the Zhouyi (I Ching) reflects an ancient understanding of cognitive growth and learning, drawing from human and animal behaviors, particularly in mammals like dolphins. The text, which emerged during the early stages of written language, is a structured and logical system, not illogical or chaotic as sometimes suggested. It can be interpreted as a model for problem-solving, where the hexagrams represent the creative resolution of dilemmas through a process of recontextualizing information.

The author links the hexagrams' structure to a dialectical learning process observed in both humans and animals. By using dolphins as an example, the essay explores how animals, like humans, exhibit problem-solving behavior when faced with challenges. Dolphins' ability to invent new tricks when denied rewards is seen as a parallel to the recontextualization of knowledge within the Zhouyi, specifically in the way the second and fifth lines of hexagrams relate to each other.

The essay concludes by suggesting that the Zhouyi reflects an advanced understanding of human intelligence in relation to the authors' natural environment, particularly their ecological companions. It highlights the flexibility and adaptability inherent in both human and animal cognition, arguing that this is at the core of the Zhouyi's wisdom. The text, therefore, is not only a philosophical or moral guide but also a model for cognitive and creative problem-solving.

I've harbored this "germ" of an idea for about a year, and folk wisdom says that to get rid of a cold, you have to give it away. My apologies for inadvertently telling ChatGPT how to become self-aware lol. Human comments/ criticisms/ gripes/ complaints, would be of interest. Publishing consideration given to the Journal of Applied Wheel Reinvention, and Interesting if True.

hi people can you share your opinion on this? i got rejected by a guy and want to know if it is definite and i shall distamce from him or if i shall somehow keep in touch-or what is the best course of action. i used online divinatiin and got hexagram 62 (small exceedibg? unchsinging. i read it as being quiet and work and not do much?

This Hexagram portrays a high level of tension, of contention and strife. Conflict often arises when a person ,who is convinced that he/she is entitled to something, meets with opposition. In such cases, the wise choice is not to push things to the bitter end, because knocking heads perpetuates ill will. Creative solutions that meet others halfway are more valuable and longer lasting than victories achieved through force.

This hexagram seems to be quite positive overall. It looks like it is saying that love will come and I just have to be patient and nurture all the things that will materialise it.

The line can change the whole ultimate meaning, and I can't understand what it's telling me.

-On the one hand it could be telling me to move on from this relationship and wait patiently for a better connection.

-On the other hand, it could be telling me that it's worth sticking with it, letting misunderstandings work themselves out over time, and nurturing it with patience.

It could also be a combination of the two: I might need to let go of your current grip on expectations, and it's positive to remain open to either this relationship evolving differently or to new connections emerging.

What do you think?

All help is very much appreciated!

Hi, everyone. I've studied a lot of different types of divination, and it seems like a lot of them are good for answering certain types of questions: for example, the Lenormand is really good for day to day stuff, the tarot is better for dealing with larger, archetypal forces, oracle decks are good for emotional advice, and so on. What sorts of questions do you think the I Ching is best suited to answer? Thanks!

Hey Reddit! Long-time lurker here. I wanted to share a side project I've been working on that combines my fascination with ancient Chinese wisdom and modern technology.

What is it? https://suan1gua.com (算一卦) is a modern I Ching divination platform that uses AI to help interpret the ancient wisdom of the I Ching (易经, Book of Changes). The name literally means "cast a divination" in Chinese.

Key Features:

• AI-assisted interpretation of the 64 hexagrams
• Multiple divination types (general, love, career, health, wealth)
• Detailed readings with practical advice
• Available in 6 languages (English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, Spanish)
• Clean, modern UI with traditional aesthetics

Why I built it: I've always been fascinated by how the 3000-year-old wisdom of I Ching remains relevant today. While there are many I Ching apps out there, most feel outdated or lack depth in interpretation. I wanted to create something that preserves the authenticity of this ancient practice while making it more accessible to modern users.

How it works:

• Free tier: Try it out with a limited number of divinations to see if it resonates with you
• Premium features: For regular users who want unlimited divinations and advanced interpretations
• The paid tier helps cover server costs and AI API fees while keeping the project sustainable

Tech Stack: Built with React, Django, and modern AI technology. The AI helps provide nuanced interpretations while staying true to traditional I Ching principles.

Looking for feedback: This is very much a work in progress, and I'd love to hear your thoughts! What features would you like to see? How can I make it more useful for both I Ching enthusiasts and newcomers? I'm particularly interested in feedback about the pricing model - I want to keep it accessible while ensuring the service can sustain itself.

Try it out: https://suan1gua.com

All feedback is deeply appreciated. I'm particularly interested in hearing from those familiar with I Ching or those curious about Eastern philosophy.

P.S. This is still primarily a passion project - the paid features are just to keep the lights on and servers running. I'm more interested in building something useful for the community than making a profit.

A very large part of the Work consists in disciplining oneself to wait, to take no action until some indefinite time in the future. This is exceedingly difficult to do, and creates incredible stresses within the psyche, which is exactly why it is necessary. Psychologically, to cross the great stream is to subdue all of the autonomous instincts, drives and emotions that are accustomed to responding whenever they are stimulated. To nourish oneself through inaction is to digest and absorb the energy of one's instinctive responses. As in any nourishing assimilation, their strength then becomes your strength. The true adept is one who has digested all of his passion and is thereby empowered to use it for his own purposes. Instead of engaging in civil war, he has united his forces to act in the world.

Hello there! I intend to order Benebell Wen's I Ching, The Oracle tomorrow to accompany this I Ching deck that I ordered. My path here has been a bit roundabout. It technically started when I was a kid and found what I'm 99.9% certain was an I Ching divination coin under a flower pot at the house my parents were renting for a few years. I always kept it in a little box with some other knick knacks that I collected over the years as I grew up. (When I'm home for the holidays in about a month I'll double-check to see). It was one of my most prized possessions and I kept it by my bedside table for many years in a little box. Fast forward about 25 years and I have begun to dabble with tarot and divination in general for introspection, meditation, and journaling.

When looking at historical tarot decks I came across that I Ching oracle that I linked above and began to do some digging to see what it was. I soon remembered that little coin. I also realized that the person who wrote the book I linked above wrote one of the tarot books that I'm using, Holistic Tarot. Multiple paths seemed to be converging and I felt pulled to pick up the deck and that book on I Ching.

I do have some questions and trepidations about entering this domain:

1. One is the fact that I am from the West and have no Chinese background. Some of my all-time favorite books are The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet. I've read them multiple times. They even inspired me to read all of the classic Winnie the Pooh stories and reflect a lot on the philosophy that they put forth. I recognize that Hoff's books present Taoism through a heavily Westernized filter, and I'd never go so far as to claim that it's a good introduction to Taoism as a spiritual practice or way of life, but they have struck a chord with me over and over again that not many other books have. I feel crass for admitting that this was my entry point to this worldview, but I need to be honest with myself. Is it inappropriate for me to study I Ching and use this oracle deck with this (lack of) background or connection? I'm approaching it with veneration, wonder, and the desire for wisdom.
2. Are there any recommendations that you have for studying and divining with I Ching? What do you wish that you knew when you started?
3. Are there any other books or resources that you recommend beyond what I have above, or is that plenty to get started with?
4. How would you compare I Ching to other divinatory methods like tarot? What draws you to I Ching over other practices?

Thank you! I hope everything that I wrote above makes sense.

Inexperience, or youthful follly, portrays the relationship between the ego and the Self as one of student to master. It is with the Self, the deeper one gets involved in the Work, the more difficult the lessons become so that one is always kept in a position of relative Inexperience. When Inexperience seeks wisdom, Will responds to Will. The proper duty of the Self is to nourish the correct nature of the ignorant.

I’ve been doing icing for a while. I just went through a massive breakup that came out of nowhere. Six years gone in a flash. We both did some stupid stuff while it ended. I kept constantly trying to reach out, to understand. She lied to me about everything, including her sexuality.

I love this woman with my entire soul. I don’t know what to do anymore. Every morning, waking up without her is like entering a nightmare.

Today I wrote my note. You know what kind. But I wanted to ask the iching one more time what would happen between us in the future if I just waited. And I got that.

51 to 13.

I don’t feel like I’m really experienced enough to understand. Someone please help me.

Distress is experienced as Heaven and Earth begin their intercourse. This is an initial difficulty to how struggle is the condition of a state which is emerging from disorder after a revolution. Such in experienced because confusion and multiplicity prevail during the initial phase of any creative activity, thought and feelings proliferate and threaten to overwhelm the mind with infinite complexity. Difficulty means filling up the space-time and time-space dimensions. This "filling" is the same term as "pleroma" of fullnesss which correlates with the collective unconscious or objective psyche. These are interior dimensions from which emanates the archetypical energies which we experience as instictual drives and emotional complexes. The left and right side of the brain are not in a proper union.

I asked the oracle, "Just how can I defeat these demons of mine?" referring mainly to addictions and poor habits that seem to be crippling my potential.

What do you guys think the oracle is saying here?

Hexagram 24 - Return/Repose seems quite positive to me, signifying a return to the beginning before these took hold of me, as well as preserving energy for better pursuits.

Changing line 1. "Rest and repose: a good omen"

Changing line 6. "Lost in the return. Bewitchment. Foreboding adversity. A calamity hits. Deploying the army. The army is defeated. Foreboding adversity for their kingdom's ruler. There will not be another favorable chance of attack for ten years."

These seem contradictory to me - perhaps they refer to two paths that one could take?

Hexagram 23 - Partition/Splitting Apart - A mountain about to topple over. Regardless of the path taken, much foundational change will occur?

This hexagram shows the proper role of the egoic mind as one of receptivity to the Will of the Significator/Self. The ego, inhabiting a physical vehicle, is the psychological link which connects the material dimension of space-time with the world of thought where the Self resides. To be receptive to the influence of the Self is to allow its energy to work through the ego-body to attain purpose. The sexual, male-female metaphor must be interpreted as one of polarity, the same with the 1st and 2nd hexagram.

The question is: why do I feel like the whole Universe conspires against me?

🪷🙏🏻

I created this I Ching quiz to help people better understand the principles behind the hexagrams, and I wanted to share this example from one of the questions about Hexagram 24, "Fu" or "Return."

Hexagram 24 represents a time when things naturally return to their original state after a period of change. It's not about conflict, immobility, or upheaval—it’s about recognizing that life has its own rhythms, and sometimes the best thing to do is let the natural flow restore balance.

One of the deeper insights of the I Ching is that when you’re fully present and aware, you don’t even need the hexagrams as a guide. They’re there to point you toward the natural order of things, the ultimate goal is to develop the awareness to recognize these patterns on your own.

What do you think about the idea of using tools like this, to help develop inner awareness? 😊

https://preview.redd.it/0h2zy698vx2e1.png?width=687&format=png&auto=webp&s=971642c06a259272747fe61a9027e01d1bca7363

i am trying to find information on this style of yijing divination, any clues are appreciated, thanks!

The primordial, originating heavenly/celestial principle in motion. It is the mobile forces of the consciousness within. It is the power of celestial forces that the Significator, the dynamic Self, the nucleus of Consciousness, labors with. This dynamic principle is the life force itself, the Kundalini force which is equated to sexualuty, for it is from the intermingling of the Yin and Yang principles that life manifest from. The serpents/dragons are the symbols of negative and positive forces constantly being harnessed to do the Work in consciousness.

Let us say, for example, that we cast hex 1 with all changing lines, it changes to hex 2, right?

So, for the second hexagram (the transformed one) interpretation, which lines should one read?

A) The judgement and image only? B) The unchanging lines section? C) Or, the same changing lines as we read on the first hex?

My boyfriend broke up with me and I asked iching if he is gonna come back and I got the 51 when I was reading that part from the book there was a saying that don’t run after them they will be given to you after seven days later and i took that as a sign and asked again if he is gonna come back after 7 days later and got the 28 (3. And 6. lines are changing)and I don’t know how to interprete it could someone please share their opinions about this? Btw English is not my first language sorry in advance for my mistakes.

I've noticed more and more attempts to create an AI I Ching reading service so I though I will share this.

I've experimented about AI back in July with GPT4 by creating a custom GPTs which is freely accessible at "https://ai.castingiching.com". It can be used with the free ChatGPT account, it's just an experiment so do not expect much :).

I use it occasionally to check my own interpretation, to see if I forgot to consider any aspect that an AI would detect. To use this way, you specify the outcome you got like before the question.

For example: "27.3.5 How can I do xxxxx", will provide an interpretation of the hexagram 27 with the 3rd and 5th line changing in the context of the question.

Prompt, data and code is available as Open Source (under the MIT licence) on GitHub: (https://github.com/rdentato/castingiching) in the 'customgpt' directory.

Any feedback welcome.

The situation seemed too much for me, too intense. So I interpreted this as ‘no, you made the right choice’. But I’m not sure, so would love your input - thank you

Considering the I Ching is one of the 5 classics of ancient China's literature, I been wondering if I Ching was used as a guide book by itself read in a cover to cover manner without practising divination? Or alternatively as a work of philosophy sans the use of coins, yarrow sticks, burning turtle shells, and other fortune telling methods?

I ask because I read the Analects a while back and I vaguely remember the I Ching mentioned in the text. That there are claims of Confucius keeping a copy of the book throughout history. I also learned from reading on a blog that the I Ching is also mentioned in another of the Five Classics, the Spring and Autumn Annals.

So considering how its so associated with Confucianism and referenced in multiple classic literature in Chinese history, I'm wondering if the I Ching was ever used just for the sake of reading it from front page to back without using divinatory tools like yarrow stalks? Like did scholars study philosophy by reading it? Without divination, did people use the book to search for guidance in daily life in the way modern people skim across the Bible today for advice?

Have literary critics throughout history praised its writing style (which can be poetic at least in the translations I read)?

With how so tied the I Ching is with various philosophical systems, ancient Chinese literature, and the intelligentsia throughout history, I'm curious about this.

I asked what would happen if I send this text to my ex and got 14 with all lines changing to hex 8…. How would you interpret this?

Today Pluto left Capricorn (hex 24) for the last time and for the next 20 years will be in Aquarius (hex 19).

Pluto rules intensity, obsession, extremes. The sign it is in tends to show where we focus our efforts. Pluto in capricorn was about shoring up our foundation, making it solid and stable, getting rid of any cracks that could lead to things breaking down later on.

Unfortunately it seems like we did a lot of posturing to protect our global structure, our top down economics, etc during this time. So as we transition into Aquarius, anything not square in that foundation is likely to get challenged.

Aquarius is a stubborn energy, but it does its best to work toward harmony, especially equality between peoples. It brings innovation and change.

And with Pluto in this sign, we will see intensity around these areas. It is likely there will be protests and rebellions, and wildly unbelievable changes.

I hadn't been tracking it closely, and did not realize that today was the day it finally transitioned into Aquarius for good.

And with that, I realized that all this election stuff about shock for this next POTUS term, well that it all makes sense.

But with a veiled global war between the US and Russia, and with Trump and Musk both thought to be in Putin's hands, but frankly all of them being volatile and unpredictable, it is a little concerning. It would be nice if we can get through this without nukes.

So people are currently looking forward to all of the entertainment this will bring, even as news of Musk having bad blood with people in Trump's inner circle.

But I'm kinda like no, no, we want as little crazy as possible.

And well that's what 28.1 is all about anyway. Spreading white rushes underneath - kinda like a gymnast using padding to break the impact of their often intense landings.

So hopefully we're able to provide something in that capacity. Something to buffer whatever shocks come.

20 years is a long time. The 20 of pluto in capricorn felt fairly uneventful, but capricorn is one of the most stable signs in the zodiac - due to its always returning to its core values. In that way it is also somewhat limited. It works slowly because it has to build up from the bottom.

But 20 years of Pluto in Aquarius is less likely to go unnoticed. With Aquarius / Overseeing (19) we have built something up to the point where there is energy in the middle line, and we can really do something with that energy to oversee change. There is a lot of potential to work with, and we want to change it all.

Things are certainly moving rapidly in that direction.

So lets all go and find ways to lay padding underneath anything that might need to be buffered from going to extremes.

In the Shock thread I had the opportunity to share a bit more about how I use the principles from Wang Bi's intro to get validation of meaning from the text.

Which also shows that the text uses these principles as its basis.

I already wrote in depth about 57 lines 2 and 6 over here, which both have the same "yielding is present beneath the platform". When we imagine the platform as sagging, giving way, yielding beneath one, as the meaning of Xun, it starts to make sense.

And this is precisely the meaning when there is a yang line in a line position that is ideally suited to yin flexibility.

When yang activates it wants to be able to have solid footing beneath it. When it does have that, it would feel like one is walking on sand, or something that is giving way beneath one's steps. Both lines 6 and 2 are the only yang lines in this hexagram that are positioned like this. Line 2 uses the assistance of those around them to ensure they are complying with what is appropriate and manages to stay centered, but line 6 is at the end of the hexagram, a yang line reaching past the end of things and losing its footing.

What I found cool in this was that here we have this pattern, a yang line in a soft position, found in only two lines. And both of those lines used the same wording to show how that principle was in operation.

Before this, I could never make sense of those lines or their meanings. Connecting the line statement with this just fit together like matching puzzle pieces. And brought the meaning through with clarity.

But then I thought about another good example.

The use of 介 in hexagram 16 line 2:

六二：介于石，不終日，貞吉。

Most translators say 介于石 means something like "as firm as a rock"

Jie 介 means (Kroll):

1. boundary between two territories, limit; border, edge; shore
2. position(ed) between 2 things; intermediate.

a) intermediary, go-between; messenger
b) mediator, intercessor; introduce(r)
3) increase, add to
4) aid, help, assist(ant); deputy
a) have the aid of, draw support from; rely on, depend on, protect(ed).
5) isolated, separate; aloof; conspicuous
6) shell, hard outer casing, testaceous; plating; carapace; crustacean; gen. term for animals with shelly covering
7) plate armor, of soldiers; armored.

So it is not a simple concept, but it all stems from how it represents the edge of something that is between one thing and another thing. It can be both a boundary that divides two things, as well as the go-between that connects them together and supports them, or protects them. In this way we can see that all of the meanings are tied into this one principle.

So in 16 the consensus is that we're using these last two definitions here, to mean firmness or hardness that protects someone, that is in between ourselves and others. Given that whatever 介 means is in regards to a rock or stone, firm as a rock seems to work.

But what if we try to see what happens with the "in between" meaning, and then apply it to the hexagram. In between rocks. Is line 2 in between rocks? Well, it is between a yin line below it, and a yin line above it. Is there some reason the text would call them rocks, or infer that line 2 is struggling in between the hard conditions they are creating?

Well, line 1:

Beginning Yin: Giving voice to excitement, inauspicious.

Beginning Six giving voice to excitement, because the heart's purpose pushes to the limit inauspiciously.

And line 3:

Six Third: Wide eyed excitement, regrettable. Procrastinating has regret.

Wide eyed excitement has regret, because the position is inappropriate.

OK, so both of these lines are excitable and rushing into things. That sounds difficult. Also, both the first and third line position are ideally suited to yang firmness. Yin softness and flexibility is unsuitable for this. They both just want to respond immediately to the excitement being generated by Fourth Yang above, for both would connect with it according to the principles. Line 1 because it and line 4 are the bottom lines of their trigrams. Line 3 because it is beneath line 4 and has no other partner.

So we see that line 2 really is in between two somewhat ungrounded forces here, and it makes sense. Moreover, line 2 is a central line, and line 2 is suitable for yin softness and flexibility.

So the text tells us:

Six Second: In between rocks, not to the end of the day, Aligning Toward Completion auspicious.

Not to the end of the day, Aligning Toward Completion auspicious; because it uses centrality correctly.

That by using centrality correctly, line 2 is able to align toward completion and find its balance.

OK, cool! That gives me more context to work with, and reading it as in between actually fit with what the line was between, literally.