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The Coin Method

Traditionally, the I Ching coin method is done using three Chinese coins wherein one side of each coin is blank (the Yang side) and one side is marked (the Yin side). However, any three coins are satisfactory as long as they are the same size and do not have the same design on both sides. Generally, only Chinese coins with both sides marked are available. We recommend that you call the more blank of the two sides Yang and the other side Yin. Your psychological preparation and attitude are more important than the particular coins you use.

When casting the coins, Heads (the blank side) = 3 and is called Yang. The other side, Tails = 2 and is called Yin. Cast the three coins six times, listing the total of each throw on a piece of paper. Begin numbering at the bottom of the page, listing upwards in a column. The possible numerical outcome for each toss of the three coins is 6, 7, 8 or 9.

The "6" is called Yin - changing.		___ ___		(Changing lines
The "7" is called Yang.		________		explained below)
The "8" is called Yin.		___ ___
The "9" is called Yang - changing		________

The odd numbers are represented by a straight line and the even numbers by a broken line. Therefore, next to each number, place its corresponding line as shown below. Again, begin at the bottom and work up. This line pattern is referred to as a hexagram. Each hexagram is composed of two trigrams, the lower and the upper.

7		________				*		sixth line
8		___ ___				*		upper trigram		fifth line
6		___ ___		(changing)		*		fourth line
7		________				x		third line
9		________		(changing)		x		lower trigram		second line
7		________				x		first line

Now, turn to the chart of hexagrams in your book. Notice that the first three lines in our sample hexagram are straight, straight, straight (reading from the bottom up). These bottom three lines are called the "lower trigram". Find the corresponding straight, straight, straight lines on the hexagram chart in the column marked "lower trigram". You will find that this pattern is called "Ch'ien".

Then notice the three top lines of our sample hexagram. They are broken, broken, straight. The three top lines are called the "upper trigram". Find the corresponding upper trigram on the hexagram chart. You will find that this pattern is called "Ken".

Now the point where "Ch'ien" and "Ken" come together is a square numbered 26. This is the number of our first hexagram. Write this number under the first (bottom) line.

Note how the numbers 6 and 9 always turn to their opposite. Six, which was a broken line in our hexagram will now become a straight line; nine which was a straight line will now become a broken line. 8 and 7 always stay the same. Our sample hexagram will now look like this after changing:

7		________				________
8		___ ___				___ ___
6		___ ___		(changing to)		________
7		________				________
9		________		(changing to)		___ ___
7		________				________
		26				30

Note that in the second hexagram, the lines corresponding to the 9 and 6 are now opposite from what they were in the first hexagram. Locating the lower and upper trigrams of the second hexagram on the chart will identify it as "Li", or number 30. Place this number under the first (bottom) line of the second hexagram. Now turn to the text in your book and begin reading. Continue to where it says "The Lines". "The Lines" refers to the changing lines in a hexagram, specifically the number 6 and 9, referred to as changing because they always to into their opposite. You will notice that under the part that starts "The Lines", all references are made only to the numbers 6 and 9. Since in our own sample hexagram, the first (bottom) number we have is not a 6 or 9, we must go up to the second line where we do have a 9. Begin reading, then, at the place that says "nine in the second place means...". Read only that paragraph. Then we must skip to the fourth place in our hexagram, where we have a number 6. We may then read the paragraph that begins, "Six in the fourth place means...". Read only that paragraph.

That is all we read for the hexagram number 26. Read up to "The Lines" and then the two changing lines which are in the sample hexagram. To complete this reading, we must now turn to Number 30, our second hexagram. This, however, we read only up to the part called "The lines". This second time we do not read any changing lines. That is for the first hexagram only. The first hexagram gives the "background" of the question asked. The changing lines give the action or actions, sequential in time, which occur against this background. The second hexagram shows the end result or new background in reference to the question.

There is one other hexagram example to be considered. Let us assume that the totals thrown with the coins turn out so that a hexagram contains no 6's or 9's. This is known as a Fated hexagram. There are no 6's or 9's in it, so there will be no changing lines. Therefore, you will read this hexagram's descriptive material up to "The Lines" and that is all. There will be no second hexagram.

The Yarrow Stalk Method

A description on how to cast the I Ching using yarrow stalks is fully explained in The I Ching or Book of Changes by Richard Wilhelm. essentially, it consists of using a 50 stick bundle of stalks and dropping them to make an array six successive times to establish the six lines of the hexagram. For brevity, most people use the coin method to consult the I Ching.

Some Suggested Books:

• The Guide to the I Ching by Carol K. Anthony
• The I Ching or Book of Changes by Richard Wilhelm (translated by Baynes). This is the classic, standard text.
• The I Ching Workbook by R. L. Wing
• I Am Ramtha: by Ramtha
• The I Ching or Book of Changes by Thomas Cleary, Editor

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