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9
- The I Ching
The I Ching is a binary system of divination: the two basic units being the Yin and the Yang,
respectively, the female broken line (— —) and the male unbroken line (——). These two elements
are formed into trigrams of which there are eight:
These trigrams are then combined one with another to form 8 by 8 combinations, that is 64
hexagrams. The words trigram and hexagram (1) purely indicate the number of lines in each of these
two types of figure. It is the hexagrams which are the final product of the divinatory process and
which convey the answer to the question posited: each of these hexagrams has a commentary written
upon it, depending on the configuration of the lines and their weaknesses or strengths. These
interpretations were reputedly made by King Wen and Duke Chou in the 12th century B.C.
The hexagram, just like the Geomantic figure, is derived by a process of mechanical operations which
allegedly incorporates into it the conditions of the moment in which the sticks are thrown so as to
accurately predict the outcome of the events current at the moment of the throw.
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[1] Not to be confused with the Western hexagram or Star of David which is two interlocking
triangles.
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It is recommended that the diviner use the traditional sticks instead of using coins, a practice which
has come into use as a sort of shorthand stick throwing, but which by its very simplicity and ease
seems to vitiate this method of divination, making it such a brief and prefunctory practice that it
provides no opportunity to establish that state of mind which is the essence of the interpretation of the
hexagram.
It is necessary, therefore, to acquire a set of fifty sticks as one's magical instrument for I Ching
divination (traditionally yarrow stalks between one and two feet long). These should be stored in a
lidded box never used for any other purpose, retaining the same ritual purity as the four Elemental
Weapons. It is also recommended that the Book of Change itself should be kept wrapped in silk or
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