The Consultation Process

Overview

So, how do you actually receive one of these hexagrams when seeking guidance from the I Ching? While detailed methods exist, the basic idea involves a process designed to bypass the rational mind and tap into synchronicity. Here's a conceptual overview:

Formulate Your Question

Begin by holding a specific situation or question clearly and sincerely in your mind. It's less about predicting the future ("Will I win the lottery?") and more about understanding the dynamics of a current situation or the best way to approach something ("What is the appropriate way to handle this conflict?").

Generate the Lines

Use a randomized method to determine each of the six lines of the hexagram, starting from the bottom (Line 1) and working your way up to the top (Line 6). Common traditional methods involve:

• Yarrow Stalks: A complex and meditative procedure using 49 stalks.
• Coin Method: A simpler and more common method involving tossing three coins six times. Each toss determines whether a line is Yin or Yang, and whether it is "changing" or "stable."

(Note: We will explore specific methods in detail later. The key principle now is using a chance-based process.)

Build the Hexagram

As each line is generated, you draw it, building the hexagram from the bottom up. This resulting six-line figure is your primary hexagram, representing the core situation related to your question.

Identify Changing Lines

The generation method may indicate that some lines are "changing lines." These are lines in a state of transformation (often represented as an 'X' for a changing Yang line or an 'O' for a changing Yin line). These lines carry specific advice and are particularly important.

Determine the Resulting Hexagram

If there are changing lines, they transform into their opposites (Yang becomes Yin, Yin becomes Yang). This creates a second hexagram, often called the resulting or future hexagram, which indicates where the situation described by the primary hexagram is heading or how it might resolve.

Interpretation

You then read the texts associated with the primary hexagram (its name, judgment, image) and the specific texts for any changing lines you received. If a second hexagram was formed, its texts are also considered. This involves reflection, intuition, and understanding the symbolism.

Conclusion

This overview provides a glimpse into the practical interaction with the I Ching. It's a dialogue – you pose a question sincerely, and through a process rooted in chance and synchronicity, the I Ching offers a symbolic response in the form of a hexagram (or two) for your contemplation.

This completes the section on "Core Symbols, Structure, and Consultation." We've covered the Bagua, how hexagrams are formed, and a conceptual overview of the consultation process.