Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Tossing the coins
• Part 2 of 3: Forming your hexagram
• Part 3 of 3: Interpreting your hexagram
• Tips
• Necessities

The I Ching (or Yi Ching or Book of Changes) is best known as an ancient Chinese method of predicting the future. In the past it was consulted with the help of twigs of Yarrow, but a common way to consult the I Ching is to toss three coins, assign them a certain value, write down the value and repeat it six times so that a hexagram is formed. It will be very helpful to have a specific open-ended question in mind when consulting the I Ching, as it does not answer in terms of yes or no.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Tossing the coins

1. Collect your coins. You can consult the I Ching with whatever coins you have on hand. Pennies are a good option. If you want to make the process more meaningful, you can also use coins that were forged in a specific year, such as your year of birth. You can also buy old Chinese coins if you want to make the process a bit more authentic.
   • If you consult the I Ching regularly, it's a good idea to keep those three coins aside specifically for this. You can keep them in a small bag so that they don't end up with your other change.
2. Write down your question. The purpose of the I Ching is to clarify a specific dilemma you are facing, so it is important to have a clear and simple question. Write down your question and keep looking and thinking about it as you conduct the consultation.
   • It is better to use an open-ended question than a yes / no answer question. For example, "Will I get rich?" Will get less clear-cut results than "What will my financial situation be like this year?"
   • Nor is it the intention to come up with and write down a complex question with many parts. Instead of writing `` Should I travel to Bermuda for my honeymoon or should I save the money to pay off my mortgage? '' It is better to opt for something like `` What will happen if I go to Bermuda on honeymoon go? '.
3. Discard the coins. You can briefly shake the mint cuttings in your hand and then gently throw them on a smooth surface. It can help to toss the coins against something so they don't end up everywhere.
   • The exact method you use for this step depends on you. As long as you don't look at the coins in such a way that they fall in a certain way. You can even shake them in your hand for a moment and then place your hand flat on the table as they fall.

Part 2 of 3: Forming your hexagram

1. Assign a number. Each toss of the coins adds up to a certain number. Assign a value of three to all coins that are heads and two to all coins that are coins. So your throw can be added up to 6, 7, 8 or 9. Three heads becomes 9. Two heads plus one tail becomes 8. One head and two tails becomes 7. Three tails becomes 6.
2. Learn the meaning of the numbers in the I Ching. Each digit corresponds to some things in the I Ching system. The sum of the numbers assigned to each side of the coin determines the yin or yang of the line, whether it is changeable or immutable, and whether it is a broken or continuous line.
   • 6 (3 times coin) is considered variable yin and is drawn as a broken line with an X in the middle. 9 (3 head) is considered mutable yang and is drawn as a continuous line with a circle in the center.
   • 7 (2 coin, 1 head) is considered invariably yang and is drawn as a solid line. 8 (2 heads, 1 coin) is considered invariable yin and is drawn as a broken line.
3. Repeat the process a total of six times. Use the coins to get six lines called your hexagram. Always toss the coins and write down the number and type of line. The first line is at the bottom and each subsequent line is just above the previous one.
   • According to some I Ching guides, you can add the total "score" of your numbers to discover the value of your hexagram instead of the line pattern. If you get six sixes, it becomes 36. Six nines would be 63.

Part 3 of 3: Interpreting your hexagram

1. Consult a guide. There are 63 (and in some systems 64) variations of the hexagram pattern. If you have an I Ching book, you can read the meaning of your particular hexagram. There are now dozens of translations of the ancient text. Wilhelm-Baynes's translation is one of the most influential.
   • If you don't have a copy yet and don't want to buy one, go to your local library and borrow or view the book while in the library.
   • The normal way to interpret your hexagram is to compare the pattern with a list of possible patterns and read the description of what that pattern represents.
2. Search online for a list of hexagram interpretations. Since the I Ching is an ancient text, you can find many websites with extensive lists of possible hexagram variants. These provide interpretations of the meaning your hexagram may have.
   • The I Ching is not intended to provide an exact answer to your questions, so it's okay to consult an I Ching guide online.
3. Enter your results into a hexagram calculator. Some websites offer the option to enter the results of each throw by selecting the line you obtained. Once you have entered all six lines, the site will find the correct hexagram for you and give you its meaning.
   • For example, if the numbers in your hexagram give the sum 45, you would enter that and you would get the "Meeting" interpretation of the I Ching.

Tips

• The I Ching is not necessarily a way to solve your problems. It will not provide clear and exact answers. It is meant to be a guide and to provide a fresh perspective on a problem you are facing.

Necessities

• 3 coins
• pen and paper