INSPIRIEL
The I Ching online
The sixty-four hexagrams of the Book of Changes in King Wen's order, each with its name, judgement and image - texts of the house, since the ancient I Ching is free and its modern translations are not. In the Sanctuary the consultation is made with three coins or yarrow stalks, cast by cast.
Three coins or yarrow stalks
The two methods do not have the same odds: with three coins, old yin and old yang each fall one time in eight; with the stalks, old yang changes three times more readily than old yin. A changing line moves from one hexagram to another, and that passage is what speaks.
The sixty-four hexagrams
- 1 · The CreativeA force that begins and asks no one's permission.Heaven moves without ever tiring.
- 2 · The ReceptiveThe power of what welcomes, bears and lets things ripen.The earth bears everything and claims nothing.
- 3 · Difficulty at the BeginningThe beginning is confused: that is normal, not a bad sign.The grass pierces the hard earth.
- 4 · The Beginner's FollyYou do not know yet, and it is by recognising this that you learn.The spring wells up at the foot of the mountain.
- 5 · WaitingEverything is ready; the hour is not.The clouds are rising: rain will come.
- 6 · ConflictTwo rights stand opposed, and neither will yield of its own accord.Heaven rises, water flows down: they turn their backs on each other.
- 7 · The ArmyA large force is worth something only if someone answers for it.Water sleeps beneath the earth.
- 8 · UnionJoining together now, before everyone is set in their ways.The waters come together upon the earth.
- 9 · The Taming of the SmallFew means, but well placed, hold back a great deal.The wind travels the sky without yet bringing down the rain.
- 10 · TreadingAdvancing close to what could wound, with due regard.Treading on the tiger's tail.
- 11 · PeaceHigh and low respond to each other: the time is open.Heaven and earth meet.
- 12 · StagnationNothing circulates: exchanges have shut down.Heaven draws away from earth.
- 13 · FellowshipTogether we can do what none of us would do alone.Fire rises towards heaven.
- 14 · Great PossessionMuch comes to you; the question is what you do with it.Fire is above heaven.
- 15 · HumilityHolding yourself a little below your worth, and lasting.The mountain lies at the heart of the earth.
- 16 · EnthusiasmA movement that carries others along because it rings true.Thunder comes forth from the earth.
- 17 · FollowingFollowing someone or something, and knowing why.Thunder sleeps at the bottom of the lake.
- 18 · Work on What Has Been SpoiledSomething has slowly deteriorated; it must be taken in hand again.The wind blows at the foot of the mountain.
- 19 · ApproachWhat is growing comes towards you: welcome it while there is still time.The earth overlooks the lake.
- 20 · ContemplationLooking long before acting, and being looked at.The wind passes over the earth.
- 21 · Biting ThroughAn obstacle is planted in the middle: you must cut through it.Thunder and lightning.
- 22 · GraceForm, beauty, what adorns: useful but not enough.Fire lights up the foot of the mountain.
- 23 · Splitting ApartWhat bore the weight is crumbling from below.The mountain rests on the earth.
- 24 · ReturnThe lowest point has been passed: the light returns.Thunder at the heart of the earth.
- 25 · InnocenceActing without ulterior motive, as the matter requires.Thunder rolls across the sky.
- 26 · The Taming of the GreatA considerable force held back, and therefore stored up.Heaven is held within the mountain.
- 27 · The Corners of the MouthWhat you feed on, and what you let out of your mouth.Thunder at the foot of the mountain.
- 28 · Preponderance of the GreatThe load exceeds what the beam can bear.The lake submerges the trees.
- 29 · The UnfathomableDanger, repeated; you do not go around it, you go through it.Water flows without ever stopping.
- 30 · The ClingingLight shines only when attached to what it illuminates.Two lights, one above the other.
- 31 · InfluenceWhat touches before words: attraction, accord.The lake at the top of the mountain.
- 32 · DurationWhat holds over time because it renews itself.Thunder and wind, together.
- 33 · RetreatWithdrawing in time, when the position becomes untenable.The mountain rises beneath heaven.
- 34 · The Power of the GreatMuch force available, and therefore much to misuse.Thunder is above heaven.
- 35 · ProgressRecognition comes, as regular as daybreak.The sun rises above the earth.
- 36 · The Darkening of the LightYou are right, and you cannot say so.The sun has gone down beneath the earth.
- 37 · The FamilyEach in their place, and the whole holds together.The wind is born of fire.
- 38 · OppositionTwo forces turn away from each other.Fire rises, the lake goes down.
- 39 · ObstructionA real impediment, ahead, that cannot be denied.Water at the top of the mountain.
- 40 · DeliveranceThe tension loosens; the storm breaks.Thunder and rain arise.
- 41 · DecreaseTaking from below to give above: a useful sacrifice.The lake lies at the foot of the mountain.
- 42 · IncreaseTaking from above to give below: the moment is generous.Wind and thunder spur each other on.
- 43 · BreakthroughWhat remained unspoken must be said, firmly and in public.The lake has risen up to heaven.
- 44 · Coming to MeetSomething weak comes forward and will grow great.The wind beneath heaven.
- 45 · Gathering TogetherPeople gather around what is worthwhile.The lake rises above the earth.
- 46 · Pushing UpwardA slow, steady rise, without jolts.The tree grows in the earth.
- 47 · OppressionExhaustion: means are lacking and words no longer carry.The lake has emptied of its water.
- 48 · The WellWhat nourishes everyone and does not move.Water above the wood: we draw from it.
- 49 · RevolutionChange is ripe; the old can no longer serve.Fire in the midst of the lake.
- 50 · The CauldronWhat turns raw materials into food.Fire on the wood.
- 51 · The ArousingA shock, then a second: enough to wake you for good.Thunder, repeated.
- 52 · Keeping StillTruly stopping, even inside your head.Two mountains, one upon the other.
- 53 · DevelopmentA slow progression that follows the stages, like a marriage.The tree grows on the mountain.
- 54 · The Marrying MaidenEntering a place that is not the first.Thunder above the lake.
- 55 · AbundanceThe peak, full noon, and therefore the beginning of decline.Thunder and lightning together.
- 56 · The TravellerPassing through, without support: restraint is the only safety.Fire on the mountain.
- 57 · The GentleWhat penetrates everywhere because it does not insist.The wind that follows the wind.
- 58 · The JoyousJoy that is shared and makes you want to learn.Two lakes that communicate.
- 59 · DissolutionWhat was frozen comes undone: blockages and bonds alike.The wind passes over the water.
- 60 · LimitationA measure you set yourself in order to remain free.Water contained by the lake.
- 61 · Inner TruthA sincerity that touches even what does not listen.The wind over the lake.
- 62 · Preponderance of the SmallThis is not the time for great things, but for the right small ones.Thunder on the mountain.
- 63 · After CompletionEverything is in order, and that is where disorder begins.Water above fire.
- 64 · Before CompletionAlmost: each thing is still in the wrong place.Fire above water.
The two methods do not have the same odds: with three coins, old yin and old yang each fall one time in eight; with the stalks, old yang changes three times more readily than old yin. A changing line moves from one hexagram to another, and that passage is what speaks.
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