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I - C H I N G T H E B O O K O F C H A N G E S
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I - C H I N G T H E B O O K O F C H A N G E S
I-CHING.COM, Y-CHING.COM and CHANGES.TXT
copyright (c) 1987
by Dragon Tree Press
1085 14th St - Suite 1502
Boulder, Colorado 80302
- all rights reserved -
- 1 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Index
Registration and Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
The Ancient Oracle and Modern Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction To The I-CHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Notes On The Translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The I-CHING In Theory And Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Methods Of Casting Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
On Consulting The I-CHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Traditional Casting: The Yarrow Stalk Oracle . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Casting The Yarrow Stalk Oracle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Traditional Casting: The Coin Oracle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
INSTALLATION
The Book Of Changes is provided as User-Supported software (ShareWare)
in two versions:
I-CHING.COM and Y-CHING.COM
for IBM-PC, AT and clones | for all MS-DOS computers
(graphics capability required) |
- 2 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Registration and Distribution
This translation and computer version of the I-CHING are offered as
Share-Ware for general distribution and may be copied directly for
transfer to other individuals, uploaded to computer network systems for
further distribution or otherwise duplicated for use by computer systems
without direct charge.
Users are granted a limited license to copy these programs for trial
use by others subject to the following limitations:
-- These programs must be distributed in complete, unmodified form.
-- No fee or other consideration may be accepted.
-- These programs may not distributed in conjunction with any other
product for fee or other consideration.
If you intend to use The Book Of Changes on a regular basis, please
register and show your support for the programmers/translators. A
contribution of $25.00 is requested and, as a registered user, you will
be notified of future updates and enhancements.
If you do not register but continue to use the I-CHING, please
remember that The Book Of Changes is always just and we trust that you
will find the advice offered of value accordingly.
If you have received an incomplete or incompatible copy of The Book
Of Changes or would like an updated version, send a blank, formatted
disk with an addressed, postage-paid return mailer to Dragon Tree Press.
If you are not already a registered user, please enclose your check or
money order for $25.00.
To: DRAGON TREE PRESS
1085 14th St - Suite 1502
Boulder, Colorado 80302
NOTES FROM THE PROGRAMMER:
The Book Of Changes is distributed in two versions: I-CHING.COM and
Y-CHING.COM. I-CHING.COM is written and compiled for use on IBM and
other PC-DOS computers while Y-CHING.COM is provided for all true MSDOS
computers. The accompanying text file, CHANGES.TXT, used by both
versions has been encoded to save disk space. WARNING! Any attempt to
edit or otherwise alter this file may easily result in corrupting the
entire contents. Examine with care.
Also, the graphics and text displays used in each version have been
carefully timed for a deliberate psychological effect and operate inde-
pendently of your computer's clock and CPU speeds. If you experience
any difficulties with this program, please notify us and - please -
include full details.
- 3 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
THE ANCIENT ORACLE
and
MODERN COMPUTERS
Not by its rising is there light,
Nor by its sinking, darkness
Unceasing, continuous,
It cannot be defined,
And reverts again to the realm of nothingness.*
Preparing a computer-handling program and modern translation of the
ancient and venerable Book Of Changes was not a task which we undertook
blithely nor lightly. The I-Ching has been a friend and consultant for
many years and, with all due respect, we have long stood somewhat in awe
of its wisdom and power.
Thus, before undertaking a task of such magnitude, we asked - with
all respect and sincerity - the advice of the Book of Changes (or, if
you prefer, permission) on preparing a modern, computer-version to be
distributed through public channels.
We received the following response:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ching / The Well Lin / Approach
====== ====== ====== ======
========X======== Abysmal Receptive ====== ======
====== ====== which ====== ======
========X======== becomes ====== ======
================= Gentle Joyous =================
====== O ====== =================
WOOD ABOVE THE WATERS - Like the waters of the well, the superior
man comforts the people and stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.
The waters vanish not nor do they increase,
Yet all may come and be nourished.
If the bucket be broken, this is evil.
At the beginning,
The well is so muddy that none will drink;
Or an old well to which none will resort.
Many in authority are like such a well; corrupt, useless and
unworthy of regard - such are forsaken in the course of time.
* from THE BOOK OF TAO - Laotse
- 4 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
In the third line, the well has been cleaned but not used.
Our hearts are sorry, for the water might be drawn and used -
Were the king intelligent, all might receive the benefit.
Here is one of value and virtue but neither recognized nor made use
of. One wishes that such abilities were properly employed.
In the fifth line,
A clear limpid well whose cold waters are freely drunk.
Wisdom and virtue are available to be freely drawn up and perform
their useful work.
--- which becomes ---
WATERS BELOW THE EARTH - The superior man has his purposes of
instruction which are inexhaustible and nourishes and supports the
peoples without limit.
There will be progress and success,
It furthers one to be firmly correct.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
. . . in effect, our orders were clear!
Accordingly, interested users are invited to consult the Book of
Changes and to copy these programs for others' use as stated.
* * * * *
Finally, on completing the present version (both the program and the
translation), we cast the Changes asking: "Is this ready for release, is
it acceptable?"
The answer we received was:
THE GENTLE, PENETRATING WIND - The wise man reiterates his orders
and secures the practice of his affairs . . . The king repeats good
commands / In each language of the people / Harmoniously, they obey
. . . No repeated deliberation, but action . . . The endeavor has
been successful in full and proper measure, the auspices are well.
Which, changing in the first and fourth lines, becomes:
THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN OVER THE CREATIVE - All that is great and orig-
inating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm. Its essence
is power and energy unrestricted by space and, therefore, in motion;
here also, the power of time and duration in time governing the ac-
tions of the universe and the world of men; both the creative action
of the Deity and the responses of men.
We did not ask further . . .
- 5 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Introduction To The I-CHING
Therefore, the Sage embraces the One
And becomes the model of the world.
He does not reveal himself,
And is therefore luminous.
He does not justify himself
And is therefore far-famed.
He does not boast of himself
And therefore people give him credit.
He does not pride himself
And is therefore chief among men.
It is because he does not contend
That no one can contend against him.*
The Book Of Changes (the I-Ching or Y-Ching - pronounced Yee Jing)
originates in China more than three thousand years past and, in the days
of Confucius (500 BC) was already ancient. Various authorities date the
genesis of the I-CHING as early as the 33rd century BC, others as late
as the 12th century A.D.
The I-CHING was not conceived as a single work but rather resembles
a pearl in structure with successive layers of growth building on a
single seed until the final product is created. Thus, during centuries
of evolution, the I-CHING has become a distillation of the wisdom and
genius of many scholars; a pearl produced by many minds and, in result;
a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Over the millennia, the I-Ching has been used for divination and
advice and, for those who have sought the I-Ching's advice, consulting
the Book Of Changes is rather talking with an old and trusted friend . .
Thus, if the advice offered is not always what we would like to hear or,
sometimes, seems to be more in response to what we should have asked but
did not, we have come to expect no less of our advisor and confidant.
The process by which advice is offered is obscure - many theories
have been offered but none have satisfactorily explained how these
sixty-four hexagrams, each with six changes, can so vividly advise and
counsel nor do so with such uncanny accuracy . . . but . . . still it
works.
We have spoken with The Book Of Changes for many years and yet, we
can offer no other proof than this pragmatic observation - the results
are real, the results are valid and, whether by mysterious cosmic
forces, through the shades of long-dead scholars, the mystic overmind,
psionics, telepathy or such other buzz-word or label as you like, these
results remain, firm and unshakable.
* from THE BOOK OF TAO - Laotse
- 6 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Notes On The Translation
Many excellent translations of the Book Of Changes are available. In
the present version, however, we have deliberately avoided a number of
traditional images which others retain; specifically images which, by
contemporary social standards, tend to be extremely sexist.
Thus, we have "translated" such images, not to alter the interpreta-
tion of any portion of the I-Ching but to avoid phrasing which may be
culturally inappropriate or might mislead the contemporary enquirer.
For similar reasons, we have chosen images, references and similies
which will be familiar to the reader without, we sincerely trust,
violating the interpretation or the "flavor" of the original. - B.R.E.
* * * * *
Bless thee, Horace, thou art translated!
-- C. S. Lewis, OXFORD HISTORY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE
The imagist poems included in this text began as a private reference
source. Ben had condensed the text of each hexagram into abstractions.
I liked using the computer for casting but wanted my readouts to include
the concrete, sensory terms. So - purely for my own use - I went
through Wilhelm and Legge picking out only the concrete images and
typing them into my personal file of the Ching, leaving out all the
abstractions! These quickly formed themselves into imagist poems - so
quickly (once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is
synchronicitious action?) that I became suspicious and consulted Mr.
Ching. His response was: "Yu - Enthusiasm . . . In such manner did the
kings of old compose their great hymns . . . (Hexagram 16)"
I wanted to change all the references to "firm correctness" to say
"if the Force is with one" - because that is a much better equivalent -
but Ben would not.
I was rebuked at only one point - when I offered Mr. Ching to "take
all the sexism out while I'm at it," but he said: "The great man has no
wish to change his mode of expression." - M.E.
* * * * *
We hope you will find our rendering informative.
Last, if you wish to consult other versions of the I-CHING, we will
recommend the following versions:
-- the James Legge translation published by Dover Books;
-- the John Blofeld translation from Dutton Paperbacks;
-- the Baynes/Wilhelm translation, Princeton University Press.
- 7 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
The I-CHING In Theory And Practice
Continuously, continuously,
It seems to remain.
Draw upon it
And it serves you with ease.*
In theory, the I-Ching is based on a binary choice mechanism select-
ing responses from a bank of sixty-four hexagrams each composed of a
basic commentary and six (or seven) secondary commentaries.
In practice, however, the theory - as stated - is essentially correct
. . . but is also overly simplistic. To fully explain the degree of
correlation between the random binary selection of the response gene-
rated and the unerring applicability and accuracy of the response to the
questions asked requires we further hypothesize the existence of a
secondary mechanism which influences (and hence renders non-random) the
primary selection mechanism.
You may, according to your desires and preferences, visualize this
secondary selective mechanism as:
1) a latent psionic influence . . .
2) a subconscious timing response to the visual cues supplied by the
programmer . . .
3) the greater workings of fate or karma or destiny . . .
4) the presence of Maxwellian 'deamons' selectively redirecting the
flow of electrons . . . or
5) merely as the presence (spiritually) of a wise, bearded gentleman of
Oriental complexion who is temporarily subverting and directing the
operation of your computer system . . .
Which of these suggested views (or any other hypothesis) you choose
to entertain in the course of your consultations is - and will remain -
immaterial. The I-Ching has no preference in such matters and will act
to advise you . . . regardless of your preconceptions or beliefs. In
all such respects, the I-Ching is impartial, neither demanding nor
requiring belief, acceptance, subservience nor recognition.
But the I-Ching is not a fortune cookie nor is it merely a method of
random selection: if you ask the Oracle what color shirt to wear or
which stock to buy or what to eat for lunch, your response will, most
likely, be trivial . . . or chiding . . . or, if you consider deeper and
look beneath your frivolous question, quite sage advice on the matter
which really concerned you.
But we would not dissuade you from trivial inquiry for we have done
this ourselves - and accepted rebuke in good humor - as have others.
The Heaven and Earth join,
And the sweet rains falls,
Beyond the command of men,
Yet evenly upon all.*
* from THE BOOK OF TAO - Laotse
- 8 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Methods of Casting Changes
Many methods of Casting Changes are possible . . . and we will not
suggest or imply that any one method is superior to any other or that
propriety or custom demand any specific method be followed. If you find
throwing darts at a suitably numbered board improves your concentra-
tion and aids in resolving your inquiry, then by all means do so . . .
but, please, try not to hit the computer.
Tradition has, however, evolved two principal methods of Casting
Changes: the Yarrow Stalk Oracle and the Coin Oracle - both of which are
explained in detail in following sections and, if you wish to use either
of these, you may select option 1) Traditional Method at the prompt.
Doing so, you will be asked to enter a number from 6 to 9 for each of
the six lines. When this is done, the program will display the appro-
priate text and changes.
We have, however, also provided a new method of Casting Changes in
which the computer will assist you in creating the Changes. To select
this option, enter 2) Modern Casting at the prompt.
Using this method, you will be asked to press the Space Bar (or any
other key) six times - each entry generating one line of the hexagram
and, when finished, the appropriate text and changes will be displayed.
For beginners, we suggest using the Modern Casting; advancing to the
Coin or Yarrow Stalk Oracles only later if desired.
In the Modern Casting, we have written an algorithm which emulates
the traditional casting but is seeded by your response to the displayed
prompt. The details of this emulation are not important - sufficient to
say, we have found the algorithm quite as effective and responsive as
the traditional casting methods . . .
With either method, you may save your consultation to disk or as a
printed record. Use the HELP key (or the '?`-key) - after casting - for
appropriate instructions and options.
- 9 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
On Consulting The I-CHING
Reveal thy simple self,
Embrace thy original nature,
Check thy selfishness,
Curtail thy desires.*
First: formulate your inquiry clearly . . .
An ambiguous question such as "Should I take a vacation in France or
go to London?" will receive an ambiguous answer while a definite
question such as "Should I pursue this business opportunity?" will
receive a more definitive answer.
As you consult the Book Of Changes, you will find the Oracle is
sometimes sarcastic, sometimes seemingly obscure or, at times even
diametrically opposed to your intended course. This is right and
proper.
At such times, as when your question is not clearly framed, the
counsel offered may seem obscure. In such circumstances, look again
at your inquiry, consider what you have asked and, in result, you
will find your answer is, indeed, good advice.
Second: concentrate on your query while casting the hexagram . . .
If you are using the Modern Method of Casting, please do not hurry -
the I-Ching is as old as mountains and very patient.
Whether you choose to employ one of the traditional methods or to
use the modern casting, you should keep your inquiry firmly in mind
while casting your oracle. If you allow your mind to wander and
think about the party next Saturday or about the argument you had
yesterday, the I-CHING might advise you concerning the party or
argument respectively.
Frequently, novices consulting the oracle find the response applies
not to what they intended to ask but to another more important
question which they had been afraid to formulate.
Similarly, consulting the Oracle toward ends which are improper, the
I-Ching will attempt to guide you to the correct course rather than
aiding you toward incorrect ends.
In like fashion, a frivolous inquiry may well be reproached: "When
he first seeks me out, I shall counsel him but, should he be impor-
tunate and ask foolishly, I shall offer no reply."
--- Meng - Youthful Folly ---
Such are the ways of the I-CHING.
* from THE BOOK OF TAO - Laotse
- 10 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Third: consider the answer carefully . . .
At times, the answer to your question may seem unclear - this is
often the nature of oracles but this is not necessarily a flaw.
If this happens, consider the response carefully and how it applies
to your situation or inquiry - what may at first be unclear is often
clarified after contemplation . . . or may, actually, refer to an
unstated concern.
The Oracle awaits: let your approach be made with an open mind and
sincere purpose:
The Dragon, conducting himself well, nourishes his virtue.
The image is of Waters above the Mountain.
* * * * *
When they do not command the people's faith,
Some will lose faith in them,
And then they will resort to oaths!
But, when their task is accomplished, their work done,
The people all remark, "We had done it ourselves."*
* from THE BOOK OF TAO - Laotse
------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |
| COMING SOON! |
| |
| "CONVERSATIONS WITH THE I-CHING" |
| |
| For those interested further, Dragon Tree Press will soon release |
| "Conversations With The I-Ching" - a commentary and guide to the |
| Book of Changes. |
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 11 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Traditional Casting:
The Yarrow Stalk Oracle
This earliest and most venerable method of consultation requires a
bundle of fifty yarrow stalks. These might be obtained though an
oriental import house or gift shop or a variety of substitutes might be
employed.
Essentially, this requires fifty thin stalks or reeds, twelve to
eighteen inches in length. These should be smooth, comfortable to
handle and sufficiently sturdy not to break or fragment when used. If
desired or convenient, these might be thin dowels (obtained at a hard-
ware or lumberyard), thin bamboo or some other material gathered in the
wild . . . or even plastic. The material is not important so long as it
is acceptable to you and in keeping with your nature.
If desired, these stalks might be varnished or lacquered in natural
colors, stained for a specific appearance or even painted in bright
solids or elaborately decorative patterns. None of these will affect
the casting but, if any of these will aid your comfort and concentra-
tion, the benefit is not to be denied.
We will offer only the one stipulation: that the stalks or dowels or
rods be of a small diameter such that you are able to hold the entire
bundle of fifty comfortably in your hand.
Traditional ritual holds that the Book Of Changes, when not in use,
be kept wrapped in a clean silk or cloth and stored at a height not less
than the shoulders of a standing man. In similar fashion, the yarrow
stalks (or divining sticks) are kept in a lidded receptacle which is
used for no other purpose.
When consulting the Oracle, after washing one's hands, the wrapping
is spread like a tablecloth, such that neither the book nor divining
sticks will come into contact with a profane or impure surface. Essen-
tially, for the computer version, this is equivalent to the customary
diskette wrapper or envelope but any additional ritual desired may be
included.
As with any method of casting, you must concentrate on your inquiry
while casting the Oracle. If you are a beginner, we suggest you prac-
tice the mechanisms required for this method first. Very quickly, these
steps will become ritualized or reflexive, freeing your mind to concen-
trate on the inquiry and not on the ritual.
Casting The Yarrow Stalk Oracle
Beginning with a bundle of fifty yarrow stalks, one stalk is set
aside and not used further.
The remaining 49 stalks are divided into two heaps (at random), one
placed to the left, the other to the right. (If you are left-handed,
- 12 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
reverse all instructions - or, if you wish, use your editor and a macro
to reverse all references to right and left in this text.)
One stalk is removed from the right-hand heap and placed between the
ring finger and little finger of the left hand.
Now, the left heap is placed in the left hand and stalks are removed
in bundles of four until there are four or fewer stalks remaining.
These last stalks are placed between the ring and middle fingers of the
left hand.
Next, the right heap is counted by fours until four or fewer stalks
remain. The remaining stalks are placed between the middle- and fore-
fingers of the left hand.
The sum of the stalks in the left hand is now calculated and will be
either 9 or 5 (i.e. 1+4+4 or 1+3+1 or 1+1+3 or 1+2+2). If the sum is 5,
the numerical value of three (3) is assigned; if the sum is 9, a value
of two (2) is assigned.
These counted stalks are laid aside and the process is repeated but
now omitting the single stalk between the ring and little finger. Thus
the sum resulting will be either 8 or 4 (i.e. 1+3+4 or 1+4+3 or 1+1+2 or
1+2+1). A sum of 4 is assigned the numerical value of three (3) and a
sum of eight receives the numerical value of two (2).
Again, the counted stalks are laid aside and the process is repeated
with the remaining stalks as for the second count.
At this time, three counts have been made and three numbers have been
created. The resulting counts may be 2+2+2 [ =6 ], 2+2+3 [ =7 ], 2+3+3
[ =8 ] or 3+3+3 [ =9 ].
This count has created the first line of the hexagram and is inter-
preted thus: a result of six (6) is an old yin, designated as --- X ---
and is a changing line; seven (7) is a young yang, shown as ---------
and unchanging; eight (8) is a young yin, --- --- and unchanging; and
nine (9) is an old yang, ----0---- and a changing line.
This procedure is repeated six times to generate the six lines of the
hexagram: the lines numbered from the bottom up, the top being the sixth
and final line of the hexagram.
The six numbers generated (for example: 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 ) can
be entered in the I-CHING program by selecting the Traditional Casting.
After the six lines are entered, the program will display the interpre-
tation and changes and you will have the option to save to disk or print
a copy of your consultation.
- 13 -
I-CHING -- The Book Of Changes (c) 1987 by Dragon Tree Press
Traditional Casting:
The Coin Oracle
The Coin Oracle traditionally employs three of the old Chinese bronze
coins having a square hole in the center and an inscription on one side
only. The three coins are thrown down together, each throw casting a
single line of the hexagram in the following manner:
The inscribed sides are counted as yin with a value of three (3) and
the plain (reverse) side counted as yang with a value of two (2). The
values of the three coins are summed to produce a total which may be six
(2+2+2 - all yang), seven (2+2+3 - two yang, one yin), eight (2+3+3 -
one yang, two yin) or nine (3+3+3 - all yin).
This count has created the first line of the hexagram and is inter-
preted thus: a result of six (6) is an old yin, designated as --- X ---
and is a changing line; seven (7) is a young yang, shown as ---------
and unchanging; eight (8) is a young yin, --- --- and unchanging; and
nine (9) is an old yang, ----0---- and a changing line.
This procedure is repeated six times to generate the six lines of the
hexagram: the lines numbered from the bottom up, the top being the sixth
line of the hexagram.
The six numbers generated (for example: 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 ) can
be entered in the I-CHING program by selecting 1) Traditional Casting.
After the six lines are entered, the program will display the interpre-
tation and changes and you will have the option to save to disk or print
a copy of your consultation.
If you prefer, you may also elect to use the Modern Casting in which
your computer will assist you in generating the lines.
(See also ON CONSULTING THE I-CHING)
- 14 -
