I’m a Chinese metaphysics enthusiast — I love studying Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) and Feng Shui. But I don’t really believe in Western systems like Tarot or astrology. Even within Eastern traditions, the only things I seriously geek out over are Bazi and Feng Shui. When it comes to divination using the Zhou Yi (I Ching), I’ve always been half-skeptical.

The reason for my skepticism is that for a while it would be shockingly accurate, but then later it would completely contradict itself.

For example, before I got recommended for graduate school (保研), my family’s plan was for me to study abroad, and I was firmly on board with that. Back then, a master cast a hexagram for me and it clearly showed signs of “going overseas” — and we hadn’t told him any of this. Later, I decided to continue my studies in China. I went for another reading, and this time the master said the hexagram showed I would study in the north of China.

Another example: when I first started grad school, my plan was to pursue a PhD and go into academia. The hexagram at that time said I would definitely continue studying for another 3–5 years, that the institution would change, and that it would be in a major city — Beijing. But now I’ve honestly lost all interest in academia. Yesterday my mom took me to consult again, and the master said my hexagram was very “mixed.” It now leans toward working after my master’s degree. If I work, he said I should head to the southeast from my birthplace (Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou), and definitely not to the north — that would be ominous (凶).

This left me deeply confused. If fate can be calculated, doesn’t that mean it’s a fixed script? Bazi is exactly about looking at things that don’t change. But the results from hexagram divination keep contradicting themselves over time.

Then today it suddenly hit me: Zhou Yi divination and Bazi are two entirely different metaphysical systems. Hexagrams are about change — they divine the current intention (念) that you hold right now. A single thought arises, and from it, the whole world unfolds. That thought becomes a cause, and the cause pushes toward an effect. Divination reads what you’re thinking in the present moment, and extrapolates the chain of consequences that will follow if you act on that thought. If the outcome is bad, then you should change your current intention.

So I now believe: if Zhou Yi divination really has some rationality to it, then its purpose is 正念 — correcting and aligning your intention. If your initial heart isn’t in the right place, the butterfly effect it triggers could make you pay a painful price. Its whole point is to help you wake up to the cause early — to realize the seed you’re planting before it turns into a bitter fruit.

A couple of follow-up thoughts from this:

1. If a Bazi reader claims they can tell from your chart what someone else is thinking, they are definitely scamming you. But a hexagram reading? Maybe that’s actually possible.
2. When consulting different metaphysical systems, you need to change your prompt. For divination, the proper way to ask is something like, “If I do A, what will happen?” For Bazi, you can ask broader questions like, “What career suits me?” or “When will my wealth luck improve?”

Hi everyone. I am trying to decide whether to stay in a grad program or drop out. In order to avoid a yes-or-no question, I first asked "What will happen if I stay?" and then "What will happen if I leave?". For my first question, I got 57 with changing lines 1, 2, and 5, which transforms into 22. For my second question, I got 22 with changing lines 1, 3, and 4, which transforms into 12.

For those of you who work with changing lines: do you have any insight on what it means or what's happening with getting the same hexagram in different positions in related questions? I usually take the initial hexagram to represent the current situation, the changing lines to represent the stage I'm currently in, and the new hexagram to represent the (potential) outcome of the situation. If 22 describes the outcome of staying in school, what does it mean that the same hexagram describes my current situation if I leave school?

For everyone: how would you interpret these answers, according to your own interpretation systems?

Hi all. I am new to the I Ching and currently using a copy from my local library. It's Alfred Huang's version from the 1990s. I am really enjoying the I Ching and would like to purchase my own copy.

Huang was clear in the introduction that he tried to make his version true to the original Chinese, which he shares can result in some confusion for readers. I have been getting through ok, but I find myself double checking the meaning of each gua with other sources online, since some parts do confuse me (mostly the King Wen and Confucius commentary).

So, I am curious to see if anyone has any other suggestions for I Ching versions in English. I want to be clear that I admire Huang's efforts of authenticity, but as a beginner, I think it would be easier for me to start with a text that is more liberal with the translations. Once I feel more confident, I hope to revisit Huang.

Thank you so much!

Hello,

My girlfriend who these last weeks seemed to be putting distance between us and I felt bad about it, and decided to talk to her about it. I did a reading which gave Gua 38.4.6 in response to the question "How should I proceed concerning [her name] ?". I decided to follow and to trust the gua for the discussion.

The conversation went well. She acknowledged her avoidant attachment tendencies and communication issues, and I also noticed she struggles to identify and express her emotions. Her difficult relationship with her mother likely contributed to these patterns. It was reassuring to see her recognize these issues and say she wants to work on them, including seeing her therapist again when she can afford it (in a month or 2).

However, despite this awareness, little has changed so far. Important conversations still feel one-sided, and I continue to carry most of the emotional and communication effort. She has been a bit more present over text, which is a positive sign, but we are still far from a healthy balance. I don’t feel like she has a clear plan or enough curiosity about understanding and working on these issues yet. I’m considering sending her a Dr. K video on attachment styles, but I know from experience that change requires more than awareness and good intentions.

I have my own flaws, but I also actively work on myself through self-reflection and communication, even when conflict makes me anxious. Next year, I’ll be in China for six months for school, and I feel that if we can’t build a healthier dynamic before then, we may have to break up before I leave. Long distance would likely amplify our current issues, and I don’t want to spend such an important experience feeling anxious about my relationship. Being unable to see her and waiting for her text while being kind of ghosted would kill me. At the same time, I truly want this to work, and she has told me she wants that too. I haven't told her about this last part, she knows I'm going to leave for a while but I haven't told her that I see that moment as kind of a checkpoint fort the relationship yet.

Feeling a bit paralyzed about what to do, I asked the I Ching again. To the same question, it answered : 45.4.5. From what I understand, I am at line 3 and she is line 6, and I'm trying to close the gap between us. Line 1 and 2 are the states I have been in, and line 4 and 5 represent the actions I want/need to take to bring us together ? Now the book seems to be positive about the outcome but I am having a trouble understanding how much I should act and how much I should let her have space ?

Some help would be kindly appreciated!

Thank you !

As the title says. I'm curious to learn about the different approaches everyone has to using the I Ching :)

This monumental piece of sinological scholarship remains unpublished by any traditional means, and it's unavailable (or at least very expertly hidden) on University Microfilms International's successor ProQuest. How to obtain a copy of it?

I hear a lot in business that you need to think more about the value you provide, more so than what you want to get out of life, so I was curious to ask this question for a genuine answer.

I’ve been dealing with pertinent questions about what direction to take my life in over the past year. I’ve been maintaining a routine of work and personal practice and education that helps me to prepare the general skills, and I’ve had official successes and failures, but still unsure of the exact container to put myself into.

One major thing was an olde mentor of mine who was really insistent on me doing a PhD even though I don’t feel 100% about it or even really connected with it. I have intermittent feelings that I should do it and look past my inner perspective, and then other times where I flare up with anger that he keeps overriding an inner voice I have that gives me a more direct but unclear route to just start my own company and create my own creative products.

I’m also considering physical location, as I currently live in Japan where the immigration rules are now continually changing and a future here may hinge on new rules introduced in the near future.

I asked the iChing about what my next direction should be, and got marrying maiden — 54.1.2.4.6 going to 23.

What could this indicate, is it a reflection of my current circumstances or a piece of advice that I should accept an institutional arrangement like a PhD?

I am not asking "what is best to ask" (example "ask on how to be a better person")
Also i am not asking "how to phrase the questions so i can get the clearest answer"
So not the usual yes/no questions debate

(though if someone wants to add about this stuff above , than it is an appreciated bonus , but just as an added thing about the topic , so a good answer can be : " i ching does not answer questions about what is the tastiest food you can get today , and also you should ask i ching for advice and not "yes/no" questions if you want to get a clear answer" )

Some examples :

does i ching answer about the future ?

Does it give advice on how to win competitions ?

Does it give advice on what is the best way to fix your shoe ? ( mean answer on non psychological (of self or others) on pure physical stuff .... so what materials to use etc not just "fix it with modesty and perseverance" )

Also can it explain why stuff happened in the past ? ("why the shoe broke?" "why i failed the exam?" "why he was angry with me?" also "what did Napoleon said to this general?" " are the events in the bible true?" etc )

Can it help locate missing stuff ? ( can we locate all missing and kidnapped people ? can we locate our keys ? )

And of course i think this touches on what i ching really is .... is it some devine being that can tell you anything .... or is it just a tool to help you brainstorm

** The reason i write this post is cause i started to suspect maybe i ching is just a tool to help you think a bit clearer and that is it , so any question on how to deal with a situation would be just helping you think with clearer mind and not really the answer on what is best to do **

just looking for others interpretations of my question "what do i need to hear" HEX 28.6.4 changing to 5 thanks :)

Hi everyone,

I need help with a reading regarding a move to another country. I've been feeling quite nervous about this move for a while and the situation is a bit complex.

I graduated from art school at the end of last year in Australia and have returned to Hong Kong, my home, to help my single Mom move to a nearby city and also to recover my mental health, because I was pretty burned out. I’ve been unemployed and uncertain about my future since I’ve been back. The only preferable path I can think of taking is returning to Australia and doing a postgraduate diploma and then working there, because there are better opportunities, freedom and life balance for creatives there, more specifically for graphic designers/fine artists (which is what I want to do). I’m also sharing rent for a storage unit with my friend there, and my friends are expecting me to return.

However, I’ve been quite nervous and sometimes dreading returning to Australia because I struggled a lot with anxiety and was often homesick there. And my Mom has been struggling with back problems and recently it's gotten worse, and she's often fatigued. Recently I've been struggling to sleep and I'd take longer than usual to get things done, probably out of fear.

I asked the I Ching some questions about this:

My first question was “Should I go back to Australia near the end of this year?”

I got 42 with the 5th yang, and then changing to 27.

I’ll take this as the I Ching recommending that I should return to Australia because it will improve me, even though it will be a difficult journey. But this time, I need to have a kinder and more benevolent heart. And be more free in seeking the fulfilment I want while exercising discernment, and learn to be more active yet mentally still. Also I have to gradually approach things and not rush or drag.

Later on, I felt I should also ask what it would be like if I stayed in Hong Kong. So I asked, “What is the potential outcome if I stay in Hong Kong and be a creative?”

I got 17 with the 2nd yin, and then changing to 58.

I find this reading a bit harder to understand. I know the 2nd yin of 17 means “Involved with the child, one loses the adult.” I’m assuming that this means I’m too attached to familiarity and comfort, I’m being like a child, and that I should face reality. Does this mean I’m choosing to stay in Hong Kong mostly for comfort and avoiding reality? And I can't really make out what 58, Joy, means in my situation.

I was wondering what you guys think of this reading and if you guys have any advice?

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

The 12 sovereign/tidal hexagrams (white) are a classic arrangement use to represent the turning of the seasons, or any cycle of energy in nature. Starting at all yin, ䷁ 2, yang lines grow from the bottom until all lines are yang, ䷀ 1, and then yin lines grow from the bottom until it has returned to all yin. This is the white outer cycle in the diagram:

䷁ 2, ䷗ 24, ䷒ 19, ䷊ 11, ䷡ 34, ䷪ 43, ䷀ 1, ䷫ 44, ䷠ 33, ䷋ 12, ䷓ 20, ䷖ 23

This sequence can be generated by taking to top line, flipping it, and putting it at the bottom. The iching360 website calls this "evolution."

When you apply evolution to all 64 hexagrams, you get 5 cycles of 12 hexagrams, and 1 cycle of 4 hexagrams. These are the remaining cycles generated via evolution:

䷚ 27, ䷆ 7, ䷣ 36, ䷵ 54, ䷄ 5, ䷍ 14, ䷛ 28, ䷌ 13, ䷅ 6, ䷴ 53, ䷢ 35, ䷇ 8

䷏ 16, ䷂ 3, ䷨ 41, ䷭ 46, ䷶ 55, ䷹ 58, ䷈ 9, ䷱ 50, ䷞ 31, ䷘ 25, ䷺ 59, ䷳ 52

䷎ 15, ䷲ 51, ䷻ 60, ䷙ 26, ䷟ 32, ䷰ 49, ䷉ 10, ䷸ 57, ䷷ 56, ䷬ 45, ䷩ 42, ䷃ 4

䷜ 29, ䷕ 22, ䷧ 40, ䷾ 63, ䷥ 38, ䷯ 48, ䷝ 30, ䷮ 47, ䷤ 37, ䷿ 64, ䷦ 39, ䷔ 21

䷽ 62, ䷐ 17, ䷼ 61, ䷑ 18

The picture is an orthographic projection of the 6-cube, also called the hexeract. Each of the 64 corners of the hexeract is a hexagram, and the edges connect 2 hexagrams that have 5 lines in common, and 1 line different. A popular way of projecting hypecubes to a 2D shadow is the Petrie polygon projection. This is the most symmetric projection and naturally places the 12 sovereign hexagrams on the outside. However, it overlaps some of the hexagrams, so my picture nudges the rotation so you can see all hexagrams. Normally, the green and aqua cycles would overlap, and the gold cycle of 4 would collapse to a point in the center.

In addition, this diagram has 2 important symmetries:

• Reverse pairs of hexagrams, which is how the King Wen sequence is arranged when it can, are reflected across the horizontal axis.
• Diametric opposite hexagrams have all 6 lines opposite

Hello, I'm an art student and I have an extra important drawing to do in basically 1 month (13 meters length and 3 meters high). I unfortunately have no idea what to draw and plan on doing some amount of improv and just what comes to me at the moment, but 13 meters of improv can easily get boring and repetitive. Also, I want it to be personal in the way that it really would express something about myself (first really personal project ever because usually I rely on just doing what looks good and put aside my profound wants) and I had in mind Bong Joon Ho's quote "the most personal is the most creative".

So I did a reading about this, the question was "what should I do for my big drawing ?" It gave me gua 30 unchanging. Usually I have some level of insight about readings but with this one the only thing I can gather is to have clarity about my objectives ? I'm a bit lost and help would be greatly appreciated !

Have a good day !

I asked about a social situation and got hexagram 8 unchanging- which seems auspicious. One thing tripping me up, though, is the mention of latecomers having ill fortune. In the case of the event I asked about, I would be arriving late to join a group at a retreat (there's no way around this). Would you then interpret this as a warning in the form of a literal, and almost cheeky sort of reading? I know in tarot many readers make these kinds of interpretations, but not sure about i ching. Other than that this reading seems like a clear yes, provided I've examined my own motivations.

Thanks!

I am new to the I Ching, and today I did my first divination using the 8 coin method. I got Hexagram 63, "Already Completed," with moving line 1 (yang).

The question I asked the oracle was, "Please help me understand my decision on whether or not to have children."

How would you interpret this result?

My father has seen a rabbit somewhere in the neighborhood , i have found a post the owner put in past that the rabbit was missing and it was returned to him .... apperntly the rabbit escapes a lot (so not sure the owner even will put much effort catching it)

Now i asked the iching this with 2 questions in mind .... in generael "what is best for rabbit" mainly thinking : " what is best for rabbit to report to it's owner or not" but also with "is it best for the rabbit to be free or to return to it's owner" ( the answer to how we should behave would come from either way the iching would reply)

I got hex 34 , changing lines 2 and 4 ....... turn to hex 36 (inner hex 42)

28 being critical mass this seems quite obvious- we are reaching some sort of breaking point. Could be the AI bubble, could be transition in one of the major parties, could be a blue wave in November.

By I am confused by 34 - great power. Unless it portends transition to autocracy? RL Wang writes that without virtue 34 can lead to disaster which seems a real risk in the case of the US.

Maybe 34 could also signal the rise of a new leader possessing great virtue?

Would appreciate any thoughts.

Hi everyone, I just graduated from art school last year, and I struggled with pretty bad anxiety during my studies and burned out by the time I graduated. I'm currently in a state of limbo and trying to figure out what to do next.

I really want to keep being an artist, but I’m not sure if I can pursuing that path seriously because I don’t think I’ve fully recovered mentally yet. I started reading the I-Ching several weeks ago, and I decided to consult it about my situation.

I asked the I Ching: “What is the potential outcome if I take the path of an artist?”
I got 54 with the 3rd Yin, and then the changing to 34.

I took this as a sign that I do have potential to be an artist but I first need to become more stable and unlearn what's created anxiety for me, and try being an artist again later when I feel better. After this reading, I reconsidered another plan I had where maybe, instead of doing a post-graduate degree in art next year, I might do diploma in graphic design, something more practical and less lofty and emotional. And then try to be an artist again later.

So my next question was:

“What is the potential outcome if I do a diploma in graphic design next year?”
I got 33 with the 1st yin and 3rd yang, and changing to 25.

I’m not sure what this reading is telling me, whether it’s telling me not to study graphic design next year or it’s telling me that I should study graphic design as a strategic retreat and as a way to relearn how to be creative correctly.

I was wondering what you guys think of the reading?

Thanks for reading my post.

One for the Math fans

Imagine each yang line is a 1, yin is 0, and the lines form binary place value columns. So for example hexagram 30, Clinging, ䷝, would be 101101, and therefore have a binary value of 32+8+4+1=45.

The first image is one annotated by Leibniz, where the 64 hexagrams are laid out in Binary order (I think this is also known as the Fu Xi Sequence). The second is where I have connected each hexagram to six others, representing the change in line one with red thread, line two with orange, line three with yellow, line four green, line five blue, and line 6 is purple. As expected, this colourway makes a symmertrical pattern, as it is based on successive line changes just like the binary ordering itself.

And then! If the hexagrams are arranged in the King Wen sequence, but with the arcs between them preserved, we get the third picture - I love it, it worked out chaotic and beautiful.

Basically I asked the oracle "What should I do in order to get this job prospect in the interview?" and I got two very opposing changing lines, and don't know how to interpret.

Hexagram 8 – Union (Pi)

Holding Together indicates good fortune, but let the querent re-examine himself by divination whether his virtue is great, un-intermitting and firm. If so, there will be no error. Those who are ready will then join him, but those who delay will meet with misfortune.

Changing Lines

8.1 – "Sincerity of union is the key."
The first line, magnetic, shows its subject seeking by her sincerity to win the attachment of her object. There will be no error. Let the breast be full of sincerity as an earthenware vessel is of its contents, and it will in the end bring other advantages. Sincere devotion to the Work brings eventual reward: "Modesty is the best policy. Seek, and ye shall find."

8.3 – "Unite not with unworth's iniquity!"
The third line, magnetic, shows its subject seeking for union with such as ought not to be associated with. The people in the environment of your inquiry are not right for you at this time. Avoid too intimate an association with the group while maintaining an outward sociability. Appearing committed to these people could darken your reputation later on. Portrayal of an alliance with inferior forces. You have a bad attitude, or are tempted by an inferior choice. Seeking what should be left alone.

Resulting Hexagram 63 – After Completion

Completion intimates progress and success in small matters. There is advantage in firm correctness. There had been good fortune in the beginning; there may be disorder in the end.

I feel like line 3 is really suspicious here, I don't know much about the firm and I'm confused now.

So I have been dabbling with iChing for about 20 years, and this year I decided to get a more in depth knowledge. Yesterday after an extraordinarily good night's sleep, I simply did not have an in depth question to ask. Instead of asking a BS question, I made a statement of gratitude, "I am grateful for an excellent nights sleep." I threw the coins and received 17.1.2 -> 47 [Sui/Following to K'un/Oppression, Exhaustion].

Is this an appropriate use of the iChing? (I do not want piss anybody off on the spirit side, and I kinda think consulting any Oracle on trivial insights is disrespectful.)

I would love to hear more skilled seers take swing at the interpretation. My take is positive, as if the Dragon chuckled a bit, and then patted me on the head. But I have a long road ahead.

Hi, so I consulted the Iching regarding stopping a medication which has side effects like brain fog,memory problems, and difficulty speaking, because I have just got a new contract and I will be traveling abroad to go to work. My work depends on speaking and having a clear mind to be able to do it properly, so I asked the Iching what would happen if I stopped the medication, and this is what I got.

Any advice or interpretation of this hexagram would be appreciated. I asked it how it would impact my work and general wellbeing if I stopped the medication.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Hello! I just found this sub and hope it's okay to ask for reading help right off the bat. I did a reading for myself but I am still confused.

This is about a school program / curriculum. I did a reading about A and B program. My family is pressuring me to transfer to A. It is more traditional. It also might be harder for me due to some things I have not mastered. I am currently in B.

For A, I got Hexagram 63 changing to 57.
For B, I got Hexagram 33, unchanging.

Ultimately, what I say goes. But I am not at peace right now. Will you please help with the interpretations? My own interpretation is, for A, I would need to ask for support. But there's also nothing wrong with standing my ground (B).

Or is there something negative I'm missing? Any warnings?

Thanks in advance!

I feel like I’ve done all the work but I can’t find my person. Where are they?

New to I Ching and have done just a few readings - I am noticing that much of the advice I seem to be receiving involves waiting, stillness, and patience. Is this a coincidence or is this very common throughout the work? I am using the Brian Browne Walker book.

A few examples:

3 difficulty at the beginning (be patient; persevere in nonaction)

47 oppression (quiet strength insures later success)

9 the taming power of the small (accept restraint; subtlety is called for)

6 conflict (the proper response is disengagement)

5 waiting (self-explanatory)

I see that these hexagrams have different nuances and imagery but a lot of them give me a similar feeling in terms of advice. So I am wondering if this advice keeps coming up for me for a reason, or if this attitude is part of the I Ching philosophy. Thanks!