I Ching, book of changes

Serkanner · Post by **Serkanner** » 19 Sep 2008 08:41

A very long time ago I bought a Dutch translation of the book of changes. I bought it after reading "The man in the high castle" by Philip K Dick.

I am wondering whether any of you have ever asked the book of changes for advice and how did you interpret the outcome of the oracle.

A second question is a bit more practical. On the cover of the book this symbol is printed:

My questions is: does anybody know what this symbol stands for. I have always assumed it means "change" but it is doubtful I was right about that. Any info about this is most welcome.

Post by **Omphalos** » 19 Sep 2008 10:58

Actually, it looks more like a cylon, toaster variety.

SandChigger · Post by **SandChigger** » 19 Sep 2008 11:44

Normal response from Omph, but Bryan's reveals issues.

It's a version of the character called yi (in Pinyin), what put the "I" in "I Ching", in the older romanization. It means a lot of things, but yeah, it's the "Change" part of the title. (Ching, or Jing in Pinyin, means "classic" or "scripture" or even "Sutra".) I'm not sure which of the many (seemingly infinite) character styles it's done in. Looks a bit like the very old bone and shell oracle style, but that cum grano salis.

I messed around with it in my younger, more experimental days, usually using the three-coin method, but I also got a hold of some yarrow sticks and learned the much more complicated divination method using them. (Have completely forgotten it by now, unfortunately.)

The PKD novel is one of my favorites ever, btw. I love the way he incorporated the Asian elements. (The Eki Kyou, as it is known in Japanese, plays a much smaller role in real Japanese society than in that of Dick's alternate universe, of course.

)

I think you might easily make a connection with Dune prescience. The universe is a vast, interconnected unfolding, all of its elements affecting and being affected by every other. The coins as thrown and how they land is just one part of that Whole (or hole?

), the Macrocosm in micro.

Pure bollocks, of course, but fun to play around with, anyway.

The method using the yarrow lends itself to a more contemplative interpretation. The counting of the sticks, and shuffling of them from one pile to another, perhaps acts to still the conscious (worrying) mind and to allow the subconscious to grind on things a while. Looking up the text for whatever hexagram emerges is a just a more focused variation on the ole "open any book at random and look for an answer to your question" thang.

This is, at least, the understanding of the thing which nearly a half century has brought me to. It works for me. Your mileage may vary.

A Thing of Eternity · Post by **A Thing of Eternity** » 19 Sep 2008 12:39

I used to have a magic 8 ball but I broke it.

Post by **Freakzilla** » 19 Sep 2008 13:17

I used to read tarot cards.

Serkanner · Post by **Serkanner** » 19 Sep 2008 13:35

SandChigger wrote:Normal response from Omph, but Bryan's reveals issues.

It's a version of the character called yi (in Pinyin), what put the "I" in "I Ching", in the older romanization. It means a lot of things, but yeah, it's the "Change" part of the title. (Ching, or Jing in Pinyin, means "classic" or "scripture" or even "Sutra".) I'm not sure which of the many (seemingly infinite) character styles it's done in. Looks a bit like the very old bone and shell oracle style, but that cum grano salis.

I messed around with it in my younger, more experimental days, usually using the three-coin method, but I also got a hold of some yarrow sticks and learned the much more complicated divination method using them. (Have completely forgotten it by now, unfortunately.)

The PKD novel is one of my favorites ever, btw. I love the way he incorporated the Asian elements. (The Eki Kyou, as it is known in Japanese, plays a much smaller role in real Japanese society than in that of Dick's alternate universe, of course. )

I think you might easily make a connection with Dune prescience. The universe is a vast, interconnected unfolding, all of its elements affecting and being affected by every other. The coins as thrown and how they land is just one part of that Whole (or hole? ), the Macrocosm in micro.

Pure bollocks, of course, but fun to play around with, anyway.

The method using the yarrow lends itself to a more contemplative interpretation. The counting of the sticks, and shuffling of them from one pile to another, perhaps acts to still the conscious (worrying) mind and to allow the subconscious to grind on things a while. Looking up the text for whatever hexagram emerges is a just a more focused variation on the ole "open any book at random and look for an answer to your question" thang.

This is, at least, the understanding of the thing which nearly a half century has brought me to. It works for me. Your mileage may vary.

Thank you VERY much for your explanation. I am baffled by the sheer un-ending sea of knowledge you seem to have.

I have tried to experiment a bit with the oracle of I Ching but because I didn't have authentic Chines coins my mind refused to acknowledge the outcomes of the oracle.

I have to find some real coins one of these days. The book itself contains a very decent introduction written by Jung. That introduction alone is worth having the book.

The man in the high castle is a book I read when I was in my teens and made a strong impression on my in-mature mind. Unfortunately I haven't managed to lay my hands on an English copy yet, but I am keeping my eyes open when I visit the local second-hand book stores. One day I will find one

SandChigger · Post by **SandChigger** » 19 Sep 2008 15:41

One is pleased to be of service. When one may.

Post by **Omphalos** » 19 Sep 2008 16:01

SandChigger wrote:Normal response from Omph,

Hey!

It could have been a Nunavut Cylon!

SandChigger · Post by **SandChigger** » 19 Sep 2008 22:22

Hence the toaster bit, to help it keep warm?

Bah! I'll hear NONE-of-it!

Post by **Omphalos** » 20 Sep 2008 03:19

Wah-Wah-Waaaaaaaaaaa.......

GamePlayer · Post by **GamePlayer** » 20 Sep 2008 18:55

SandChigger wrote:Bah! I'll hear NONE-of-it!

That's my line, tick!

SandChigger · Post by **SandChigger** » 20 Sep 2008 22:12

I wondered when you were going to notice!

GamePlayer · Post by **GamePlayer** » 21 Sep 2008 02:23

I'm always watching my chigga.

*twilight zone music plays*

Sadly, I don't know much about the I Ching. I know a quote about it in a Michael Mann film, but that's about it

"Now we have to make the best of it. Improvise. Adapt to the environment. Darwin. "Shit happens." The I Ching...whatever man. We gotta roll with it."

SandChigger · Post by **SandChigger** » 21 Sep 2008 06:06

The active (wind) moves about the solid (earth), forming the condition for Rapid Change (run to the potty).

It's amazing how accurate it can be.

Uph...coffee just activated those beans I had last night...GOTTA RUN!!!!