I CHING

SIX

Methods of Casting


The Traditional Method of Casting

Yarrow Stalks Method: Detailed Steps and Symbolism

The Yarrow Stalks Method is the traditional, and some say the most spiritually connected, method for consulting the I Ching. The method involves 50 yarrow stalks (with one set aside at the beginning), which are divided, counted, and manipulated in a series of steps to generate the lines of a hexagram.

Here's a simplified version of the process:

Begin with 49 yarrow stalks (after setting one aside). Hold them in your hands and focus on your question.

Split the stalks into two random piles on the table, one to the left and one to the right.

From the right pile, take one stalk and place it between your ring finger and little finger of your left hand.

Count out the left pile by fours, and place the remainder (which will be 1, 2, or 3) between your ring finger and middle finger of your left hand.

Do the same with the right pile, placing the remainder between your middle finger and index finger.

You now have two or three sets of four stalks on the table and some stalks in your left hand.

Add up the stalks in your left hand. This will be either 5 (4 + 1) or 9 (4 + 4 + 1). Record this number.

Repeat this process two more times. The three numbers together will give you your first line.

  • If you get two 9s and one 5, you have an old yang (---o), a changing line.

  • If you get two 5s and one 9, you have a young yang (---), a non-changing line.

  • If you get three 9s, you have a young yin (- -), a non-changing line.

  • If you get three 5s, you have an old yin (- - o), a changing line.

  • Repeat this entire process six times to generate the lines of your hexagram, from bottom to top.

The Yarrow Stalk method is considered more spiritual due to its element of randomness and the time it requires, allowing for more contemplation and connection with the question asked.

16 Marble Method

Materials: 16 marbles of different colors (7 of one color, 5 of another, 3 of another, and 1 of another), a bag, and the I Ching book to interpret the results.

For this method, the marbles represent different line values in the I Ching. The distribution of the colors reflects the natural probabilities you would get when casting yarrow stalks. Each of the different marble colors represents a different line value in the I Ching:

  • 7 marbles represent a value of 8 (young yin, represented by a broken line)

  • 5 marbles represent a value of 7 (young yang, represented by a solid line)

  • 3 marbles represent a value of 9 (old yang, represented by a solid line with a dot)

  • 1 marble represents a value of 6 (old yin, represented by a broken line with a dot)

This four-value system of 6, 7, 8, and 9 is traditional to the I Ching, and these values represent different types of yin and yang lines:

  • 8 (young yin, represented by a broken line, unchanging)

  • 7 (young yang, represented by a solid line, unchanging)

  • 9 (old yang, represented by a solid line with a dot, changing)

  • 6 (old yin, represented by a broken line with a dot, changing)

Changing lines (6 and 9) indicate lines that are in a state of transition from yin to yang (or vice versa), and in many readings, these lines offer additional insight or more specific advice.

  • Here's a step by step guide of how you can perform this method:

  • Think about the question you want to ask the I Ching.

  • Mix all 16 marbles in the bag.

  • Draw one marble without looking.

  • The color of the marble drawn corresponds to a line value. Record this line.

  • Repeat steps 3 and 4 five more times for a total of six draws to generate your hexagram.

    Remember! The first line you drew is at the bottom and the last is at the top.

  • Look up the hexagram in the I Ching book to find your reading. If there are any changing lines (values of 6 or 9), note their interpretations and change them to their opposites to form a second hexagram for further insight.

Coin Method

Materials: Three identical coins, and the I Ching book to interpret the results.

  • Steps:

  • Think about the question you want to ask the I Ching.

  • Toss all three coins.

  • Assign a value of 3 to each head (yang) and 2 to each tail (yin).

  • The total value will either be 6 (old yin, represented by a broken line with a dot), 7 (young yang, represented by a solid line), 8 (young yin, represented by a broken line) or 9 (old yang, represented by a solid line with a dot). Record this line.

  • Repeat steps 2-4 five more times to generate your hexagram. The first line you drew is at the bottom and the last is at the top.

  • Look up the hexagram in the I Ching book to find your reading.