Regarding the I Ching
I think the I Ching is best regarded as an elegant system of divination. It is a very broad subject, but mostly today and in general use, the I Ching is a system of divination put into motion by the mechanics of throwing three coins six times. This gives us a hexagram to study in response to our “karma” of having a situation or milieu we are unclear about, and then seeking a Revelation in the form of the hexagram response.
After a long study of the subject, all information in response to our query can be gleaned from examination of the hexagram as it is revealed. If a person has not so deeply penetrated the patterns of the I Ching, then the text related to each hexagram may be helpful. This “text” which was written by human beings, is meant to throw light onto the affairs of mankind, but only inside the context in which the text was written.
An example of this could be the Wilhelm-Baynes version, which has the structure of assigning the individual lines of the hexagram to meanings relevant to the social structure of China at the time the text was written. The lines 1-6 relate to the social structure and position of individuals inside this human social structure. The practical aspect here is that other humans often have the greatest impact on our lives, so understanding the dynamics and outcome of interactions can be useful knowledge.
The individual lines of the hexagram also have a deeper meaning than the structure imposed by any written text due to the limitations of words. It is important to understand that there is a relationship between all of the lines of the hexagram and the even the individual who cast the coins. The particulars of any situation can all come to Light by understanding these relationships.
If an individual asks a question, not taking into consideration the limitations of the TEXT of the I Ching, the corresponding wording for the hexagram may prove to be enigmatic. This is in no way a defect of the I Ching itself, it is a misunderstanding of the limitation of the written text. The only solution here, is a much deeper study of the I Ching itself, or much more easy, learn to ask the correct question.
As a guideline, the number one requirement for the “question” is that we must have a compelling “need” (not want) for light to be shed on the situation regarding the consequences of our actions. Thus, if we are trying to make the I Ching speak to us in terms of a text written by fellow humans; we would be well advised to understand that the written “text” may be less than “Divine,” but the process of causing the Divine to reveal its’ Light inside the context of words written by others is indeed a Holy act of Divine Magick.
If we are limited to an evaluation of the generated hexagram based upon the text of the I Ching, we would do well to limit our question to the specific outcome of an action we are considering undertaking, but are unclear about the result or outcome. If the result of the intended action is of little consequence to us personally, why might we be seeking advice?
Also, if we are going to take the action no matter what the result; an act of Will, what is the Folly or intention of our Query? If this is the situation, one is asking the wrong question and likely to receive a leg pulling response. This leads nowhere except to further confusion and doubt.
For example, inside the context of the Wilhelm-Baynes edition, almost all hexagrams are defined as auspicious or inauspicious. Further, the individual lines of the hexagrams, as pointed out as important by their being moving lines; which may be found in the hexagram cast, can also reflect clear aspects of success or failure. All of this can be found in the text for the hexagram and more information can be found in the “Great Treatise” on the I Ching in the middle of the book which is likely to be the clearest treatise on Magick (Change and Transformation) available publicly.
An example of a “good” question might be a form along these line. That is, I was compelled to take a certain action, but unclear what the effects or outcome would be. In this case I would ask something like:
Would it be auspicious for Kapilnath to XXX XXX? and cast the coins. The “formula” is roughly … (implied intention-personal identification-action-subject of action =OUTCOME/hexagram) … i.e. auspicious, inauspicious, success, failure, etc.
The Divine is constantly communicating to us in so many ways. That we may not see or understand the patterns is our personal limitation. A Sage is often defined as one who makes the will of the cosmos known to those who find the correct correspondence or relation. The idea of the Divine speaking or communicating through a medium where the final medium is human, is older than history. Each medium is different and each has its own requirements for correspondence.
If one is less than a Sage, then it is ever more important to create the proper relation and correspondence with the “Emissary” in whatever form it appears. The concept of the Guardian Spirit is useful in terms of a step by step approach to a personal and progressive alignment with the Divine Cosmos or Cosmic Spirit.
On Cosmic levels, the following idea may be useful if examined in the proper Light. “Ask the right question in the right way and you will get the right answer.”
Kind Regards All,
Kapilnath
