Before you cast your first coins to consult the I Ching, taking a few moments to prepare can significantly enhance the quality and clarity of your divination. This preparation involves selecting your tools, understanding their values, cultivating the right mindset, formulating your inquiry, and creating a suitable environment.
The beauty of the three-coin method lies in its simplicity. You'll need three identical coins.
- Traditional Chinese Coins: Many practitioners prefer to use old Chinese coins – the round ones with a square hole in the center. These are rich in symbolism: the round shape represents Heaven (Yang), and the square hole represents Earth (Yin). Typically, the side with four Chinese characters is designated as Yang, and the side with fewer (often two) or Manchu script is Yin. However, if these are unavailable, don't worry.
- Regular Currency: Any three identical coins from your local currency will work perfectly well. Pennies, dimes, quarters, or any coins of the same size and weight are suitable. The key is consistency.
- Symbolic Consideration: If not using traditional Chinese coins, you simply need to decide which side will be "Heads" (Yang) and which will be "Tails" (Yin) before you begin. Make a clear choice and stick with it throughout your casting.
This is a crucial step for the three-coin method. The most common and widely accepted convention for assigning numerical values to the coin faces, which then determine the type of line cast, is as follows:
- Yin Side (e.g., "Tails" or the less ornate side of a Chinese coin): Assign a value of 2.
- Yang Side (e.g., "Heads" or the character-heavy side of a Chinese coin): Assign a value of 3.
When you toss the three coins, you will add up these values. The possible sums will be:
- Three Yin sides (2+2+2) = 6
- Two Yin sides and one Yang side (2+2+3) = 7
- One Yin side and two Yang sides (2+3+3) = 8
- Three Yang sides (3+3+3) = 9
We will delve into what these numbers (6, 7, 8, and 9) mean in terms of line types in Article 4, "Understanding Your Result." For now, just be clear on this 2/3 value assignment.
Consulting the I Ching is more than a mechanical process; it's an act of introspection and connection.
- Stillness and Calm: Find a quiet moment when you won't be disturbed. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and clear your mind of daily clutter. The aim is to approach the oracle with a calm, receptive, and respectful attitude.
- Focus and Intention: Hold your question clearly in your mind. Your intention is to seek genuine guidance or understanding, not to idly test the oracle or ask frivolous questions. Some people find it helpful to light a candle, burn incense, or sit quietly for a few minutes in meditation before beginning.
- Receptivity: Be open to whatever answer the I Ching provides, even if it's not what you expect or wish to hear.
The clarity of your question significantly influences the clarity of the guidance you receive.
- Be Specific but Open: Avoid overly broad or vague questions. Instead of "What will my future be?" try focusing on a specific situation or decision: "What is the best approach to my current career challenge?" or "What will be the outcome if I pursue X course of action?"
- Avoid Yes/No Questions (Usually): While the I Ching can sometimes give clear affirmations or negations, it often provides more nuanced guidance. Questions starting with "What if...?" "How should I...?" or "What is the outlook for...?" tend to yield richer responses.
- Focus on Your Role: Frame questions in a way that empowers you. "What can I learn from this situation?" is often more helpful than "Will X person do Y?"
- One Question at a Time: Focus on a single, clear inquiry for each casting. If you have multiple unrelated questions, perform separate consultations.
- Write it Down: It can be helpful to write your question down before you begin. This helps solidify your focus.
- Quiet Environment: Choose a place where you are unlikely to be interrupted.
- Flat Surface: You'll need a flat, stable surface on which to toss the coins – a table, a clean floor space, or a tray. Some people use a silk cloth or a special mat.
- Recording Materials: Have a pen and paper (or a digital document) ready to record the result of each of the six coin tosses. You will be building your hexagram line by line, from the bottom up.
Once you've attended to these preparations, you are ready to move on to the actual casting of the coins, which we will cover in our next article: "Casting the Coins & Building the Hexagram."