I Ching, The oracle, A practical guide to The book of change

Benebell Wen’s (Holistic Tarot and The Tao of Craft) historic new translation of the I Ching brings the power and mysticism of The Book of Changes to contemporary readers. Now in a beautiful hardcover format with a ribbon bookmark. Through in-depth annotations, cultural and historical references, and magical practices, Wen amplifies the wisdom—both profound and practical—of the 3,000-year old text. She includes aspects of the I Ching that have never before been translated into English, offering fresh perspectives on a classic work. Rooted in her experience and knowledge as a Taiwanese-American occultist and Buddhist with deep family ties to Taoist mysticism, Wen's groundbreaking translation is accompanied by a critical analysis of earlier I Ching transmissions. Readers will learn how to: Situate the I Ching within its historical and cultural context Interpret the hexagrams and utilize various divination methods, such as yarrow stalk, coin toss, cowrie shells, and rice grains Work with the I Ching for personal guidance and developing intuitive wisdom Understand correspondences of Taoist mystical tradition with other schools of metaphysics, including shamanism, faith healing, and soul retrieval Approach the Book of Changes as a grimoire and attain a foundational understanding of the eight trigrams and Wu Xing five alchemical phases Whether you’re new to the I Ching or an experienced occultist, I Ching, The Oracle will deepen your understanding of esoteric Taoism and the art and craft of divination. Highlighting the two main schools of interpretation—Image and Numbers and Meanings and Principles—and exploring Taoist cosmology, mysticism, ritual practice, and the shamanic origins of the I Ching, Wen provides you with everything you need to apply the I Ching for life guidance, spiritual practice, and ancestral connection. Title Page Also by Benebell Wen Copyright Dedication List of Illustrations List of Tables List of Practicums Trigram Cross-References for Hexagram Construction 1: Preface 2: Myths, Legends, and Cultural Heroes of the I Ching 3: Yì Xué: An Overview of I Ching Discourse Before the Common Era New Text Schools vs. Old Text Schools The Rationalists vs. the Originalists Esoteric I Ching: Yi wei and the School of Mystery Gua Qi: Theoretical Study of Yin and Yang A History of Eclectic Influences Jesuit Missionaries and the I Ching Carl Jung and the Theory of Synchronicity The I Ching in Western Occultism Science, Math, and the Genetic Code Taoist Mysticism and Magic The Way of the Sages 4: Interpreting the Hexagrams The Image and Number Tradition (Xiàng Shù) The Meaning and Principle Tradition (Yì Lǐ) The Plum Blossom Methods General Insights, One Fortune-Teller to Another Cultivating Objective Interpretation 5: The Eight Trigrams (Ba Gua) Yin and Yang Affinities; the Four Faces of God The Book of the River Maps Arrangements of the Eight Trigrams Eight Immortals and Archetypes of the Mystic Heaven (Qián), Sky: The Virtuoso Lake (Duì), Exchange: The Warrior Fire (Lí), Clarity: The Philosopher Thunder (Zhèn), Power: The Spellcaster Wind (Xùn), Influence: The Shaman Water (Kǎn), Mysteries: The Healer Mountain (Gěn), Knowledge: The Alchemist Earth (Kūn), Field: The Enchanter Circling the Square: The I Ching Mandala 6: The Five Phases of Change (Wu Xing) Wood (Mù): Sprouting and Cultivating Fire (Huǒ): Blooming and Inspiring Earth (Tǔ): Ripening and Maturing Metal (Jīn): Culminating and Extinguishing Water (Shuǐ): Reflecting and Returning 7: Divination Methods Preparations before the Divination Invoking Divinity and Presenting the Question Coin Toss Method Divination with Cowrie Shells Locked Hexagrams Plum Blossom Methods Summary Outline of Hexagram Interpretation 8: I Ching: The Book of Changes Preliminary Notes Hexagram 1: Qián. Creative Power Hexagram 2: Kūn. Supportive Power Hexagram 3: Tún. Initial Challenge Hexagram 4: Méng. Naiveté Hexagram 5: Xū. Patience Hexagram 6: Sòng. The Trial Hexagram 7: Shī. The Army Hexagram 8: Bǐ. Alliance Hexagram 9: Xiǎo Chù. Cultivate Gently Hexagram 10: Lǚ. Treading Hexagram 11: Tài. Harmony Hexagram 12: Fǒu. Stalemate Hexagram 13: Tóng Rén. Fellowship Hexagram 14: Dà Yǒu. Accolades Hexagram 15: Qiān. Modesty Hexagram 16: Yù. Enthusiasm Hexagram 17: Suí. Inspiring Followers Hexagram 18: Gǔ. Decay Hexagram 19: Lín. Spring Is Coming Hexagram 20: Guān. Observation Hexagram 21: Shih Hé. Bite Through Hexagram 22: Bì. Luminosity Hexagram 23: Bō. Partition Hexagram 24: Fù. Repose Hexagram 25: Wú Wàng. Without Folly Hexagram 26: Dà Chù. Cultivate the Supreme Hexagram 27: Yí. Receive Nourishment Hexagram 28: Dà Guò. Undertake the Great Hexagram 29: Kǎn. The Abyss Hexagram 30: Lí. The Spark Hexagram 31: Xián. Mutual Accord Hexagram 32: Héng. The Eternal Hexagram 33: Dùn. Withdraw Hexagram 34: Dà Zhuàng. Great Power Hexagram 35: Jìn. Advancement Hexagram 36: Míng Yí. Darkening of the Light Hexagram 37: Jiā Rén. The Family Hexagram 38: Kuí. Opposition Hexagram 39: Jiǎn. An Impasse Hexagram 40: Jiě. Release of Tension Hexagram 41: Sǔn. Debilitation Hexagram 42: Yì. Burgeoning Hexagram 43: Guài. Decisive Action Hexagram 44: Gòu. Improper Meeting Hexagram 45: Cuì. Assembly Hexagram 46: Shēng. Hoist Hexagram 47: Kùn. Blockade Hexagram 48: Jǐng. Fountainhead Hexagram 49: Gé. Revolution Hexagram 50: Dǐng. The Cauldron Hexagram 51: Zhèn. Jolt Hexagram 52: Gěn. Listen to the Wind Hexagram 53: Jiàn. Steadfast Hexagram 54: Guī Mèi. The Marrying Maiden Hexagram 55: Fēng. Opulence Hexagram 56: Lǚ. The Wanderer Hexagram 57: Xùn. Use Gentle Force Hexagram 58: Duì. Joyous Exchange Hexagram 59: Huàn. Making Waves Hexagram 60: Jié. Boundaries Hexagram 61: Zhōng Fú. Faith Within Hexagram 62: Xiǎo Guò. Pay Attention to Details Hexagram 63: Jì Jì. After the Ending Hexagram 64: Wèi Jì. Toward an End 9: Ancestral Veneration and the I Ching 10: The Yì, the Wū, and Shamanism Shamanic Origins of the I Ching The Loanword “Shaman” and the Wū Shamanistic-Historical Traditions The Eight Gods of Shang Shamanism Soul Retrieval: Theory and Practice Xī Wáng Mǔ, Goddess of the Wū Healing the Inner Shén 11: Returning Full Circle 12: Appendices Appendix A: Twenty-Four Solar Terms.1 Appendix B: Stems, Branches, and Trigrams Appendix C: Trigrams and Feng Shui Appendix D: The Eight Bodhisattvas and the Ba Gua Appendix E: Map of Shang and Zhou References Endnotes Index Acknowledgments About the Author About North Atlantic Books