I Ching

'I Ching' is the Chinese 'Book of Changes', one of the classic documents of ancient Chinese philosophy. It codifies thoughts which developed from the 11th century BCE to the time of Confucius ( ), who very likely made his own contribution. He seems to have had opinions about most things! The basic principle is that all things are continually changing as we move along our chosen path. The purpose of casting the I Ching is to help us find that path. One Chinese religious sect call this Tao, The Way. Taoists believe that we are always passing through a gateway, never before; never beyond. It develops philosophical ideas based on an understanding of Yin and Yang (aspects of the universal energy) and their combination into symbols called Hexagrams (six lines). I Ching, like the Tarot and Runes, is a tool of divination. This is not to say that it can be used to foretell the future, merely that it can point us in directions we may wish to go. Although readings are traditionally made with yarrow sticks (hard to find), or the tossing of coins, card decks, based on the Tarot idea, have recently become popular. Some are quite attractive. For ease and convenience, I use, and suggest the use of, coins. I make readings using I Ching (I'm now learning the Tarot) but do not believe in the ability of my mind to control the fall of a card or the toss of a coin. Neither do I think one can foretell the future with these tools. I do believe it is possible to use these methods to pose questions and to construct responses to help us analyse a situation with a view to finding a way forward, and thereby influence the future. I suppose I am a sort of esoteric agony aunt.

Gra Warrior

If you have a question for me or the Iching then do get in touch.