Consulting the I Ching, the world's oldest oracle with its roots in China, is a great way to make sure you're going with the universal flow. Two paths are open to the questioner - the "way of the inferior man" or "the way of the superior man." But there's only one way to master the oracle: keeping notes and recording the outcome.
Tossing the Coins to Obtain a Hexagram
An answer to your question appears in the form of one of the book's 64 hexagrams. Basically, you draw the hexagram by tossing three coins six times for the six lines.
The value side of the coin represents yang and the other side yin. Two yins and a yang make a yang line (an unbroken line). Two yangs and a yin make a yin line (a broken line). Three yangs make a moving yang line. If you get a moving line, you read that as your main answer.
Ascertaining the Accuracy of the I Ching
You'll find plenty of websites that help interpret the answers you get from the I Ching, but it's rare to find one that actually traces the outcome of the hexagram, which determines the accuracy of the answer. I have always kept notes of questions and outcomes, and am glad to share them with you.
Interpreting a Hexagram
Hexagram 57- The Penetrating Wind. Moving line 6 changing to 48 - The Well.
Question: What is my future with this particular online writing gig?
Background: I have been writing for these guys for about a couple of months. It all began beautifully with the editor applauding my writing. However, the last two times I submitted my quota of articles, I was asked to clean up proof-reading errors.
Result: I sort of knew what was coming with hexagram 57 line 6 - "'He loses his axe.' Beware of losing property or your job," says one version of the I Ching.
Sure enough, a few hours after I drew the hexagram, the editor sent me a "letting go" email, saying he didn't have time to look through articles and my latest bunch was not getting any cash!
I calmed myself down and asked to be paid for the articles. And I have been paid as hexagram 48 predicted. The hexagram represents The Well from which water can always be drawn. The water is still being drawn as I now write for a better paying gig. The editors even send me appreciative comments on my articles.
So, when you consult the I Ching, remember to record the answers and results.
You might want to read a real-life interpretation and outcome for hexagrams 40 and 24.
Anita Saran - Anita Saran leads a rich life that encompasses the world of advertising and fiction writing- she has been writing copy for more than 27 ...
