I Ching Oracle

I Ching is mainly used as oracle since its very beginning. It was consulted by the Chinese sovereigns and princes and reviewed by Confucius himself. It is the oldest known oracle in the history of mankind.

Yarrow Stalks used in oracle consultation

The oracle functions on the basis of 64 hexagrams that points to basic topics (see our section explaining the hexagrams). One has to phrase a question abut a specific issue and consult the oracle in order to be given an advice. Please note that the I Ching oracle doesn’t limit itself to answers such as yes or no. It may offer further indications in order to help us succeed and avoid unknown perils.

There are currently two methods of inquiring the oracle: with coins or yarrow stalks.

The yarrow stalks is the classical method and the most accurate because resorts to spirit-like entities through the stalks. Also it is more difficult to handle and takes a lot of time to complete.

The coins method is the easiest. It consists in throwing three coins, six times, in order to shape the six lines that form a hexagram.

Each coin is assigned a number value, that is, the yang side (usually the head) is assigned number 3 and the yin side, (usually the tail), number 2. Thus if we throw the coins one time we may obtain the following score:

2 + 2 + 2 = 6 (yin __  __)
2 + 3 + 2 = 7 (yang ____)
2 + 3 + 3 = 8 (yin __  __)
3 + 3+ 3 = 9 (yang ____)

Number 6 and 9 are changing lines, that is, they change in their opposites.

Chinese I Ching coins used to consult the oracle

This hexagram obtained after the consultation is the response to our question. One should read the Judgment of the hexagram and the texts of the changing lines (if any).

The Judgment is explained in our section on hexagrams. The lines are those that made the hexagram. They may be yin or yang. Also they may change the way we already saw. WE should read the texts assigned to these lines if they changed.

Let’s give an example.

Let’s say we just throw the coins and obtained the hexagram 38 – Opposition –  with two changing lines, on places two and four. It looks like this:

_____
__  __
_____ 4
__  __
_____ 2
_____

We need to read the Judgment text that says:

OPPOSITION. In small matters, good fortune.

Also we’ll read the changing lines texts as well:

Nine in the second place means:
One meets his lord in a narrow street.

And:

Nine in the fourth place means:
Isolated through opposition,
One meets a like-minded man
With whom one can associate in good faith.
Despite the danger, no blame. (Richard Wilhelm’s translation)

We already were given a lot of information about the problem our question pointed to. All we have to do next is to ask someone well-versed in I Ching, to explain the meaning of the answers. For instance, what is the meaning of this statement: In small matters good fortune? Or what is the meaning of this instance: One meets his lord in a narrow street?

The meaning of the answers is very difficult to grasp unless you resort to a specialist or learn yourself, further the art of interpreting the oracle’s answers (see our PDF section on this site).

Online devices.

Nowadays we may resort to several online programs to help us consult the oracle without having to handle yarrow stalks or coins. Please note that these programs are less accurate. More about these programs may be found in our section of Oracle Online.