The Readings of the hexagrams are based on the dynamic interplay of 3 line symbols called TRIGRAMS. These are contained within, and actually form, the hexagram. It is these that provide the flow and direction of energy, while the hexagram provides an insight into the particular situation.
Yes, of course, it looks a little complicated, but with The TAO I CHING, from the very start you’ll find an easy and instant access, and quickly go to deeper levels if you want to.
The I Ching, with the use of The ELEMENTS ©, will give you a clear picture of your situation and prospects. All of this is based on your choices and decisions, and ‘instinctive’ selection of hexagrams.
There are two fundamental ‘forces’, or ‘types’, or ‘directions’ of energy. It is as if the same energy battles with, or reinforces, itself. Each thing, element, and even each situation, has different measures of each ‘type’ or disposition of energy, and these balances can change. The ancient Chinese came to call these Yin and Yang, and even represented them as LINES in The I Ching.
YANG Energy
Forceful action
Determination & Control Organisation
YIN Energy
Receptive calm
Acceptance & Sensitivity Creativity
When these balances of energy are represented by three line symbols, called trigrams, qualities or strengths emerge, that will have different consequences.
There are eight of these trigrams, each with a different quality, response, ‘intensity’ or ‘speed’. For instance,
POWER DRIVE FOCUS
CONFIDENT ASSERTIVE
EXPANSION ENTERPRISE
DIRECTION ENTHUSIASM
THE I CHING
The Book of Chance and Change
When these two trigrams are combined, with one placed on top of the other, the hexagram is formed. In this case there are two possibilities
Out of the eight trigrams
64 possible hexagrams
are formed.
In The I Ching there are in fact four trigrams in the construction of the hexagram, each with it’s own meaning, and each assigned to a different aspect of your life.
25 AFFINITY
34 STRENGTH
The Reading or information and advice for the hexagram, and the possible life situations in which this occurs, is now applied. Further information is gathered from two other trigrams hidden in the centre of each hexagram.
WORLDLY CONDITIONS
YOUR ABILITIES
“GO FOR IT”
“ENJOY MORE”
“GET READY
TO START”
“YOU CAN TAKE IT EASY”
“MOVE TO
GET MORE”
“WAIT”
“STOP”
“JUST LOOK AROUND YOU”
THE MEANINGS OF THE LAST TWO
TRIGRAMS ABOVE ARE REVERSED
IN THE TAO I CHING
The I Ching
Each time you have a question, you select a hexagram to reflect your energy, the energy of your question, and the energy or potential, around you. You will always get an accurate ‘reflection’ of all this energy if you follow the simple instructions. This should be done in a calm detached way without emotion, concern or desire. In this way you allow the symbolic (energy) aspect of The I Ching to work without interference. You can follow the judgements, observations, or advice, in The I Ching, or interpret the energy for yourself by referring to the trigrams and their meanings. This is possible with practice, but with four, perhaps opposing, trigrams, this can get confusing. Intuitive interpretations can also be made by referring to the extensive symbolism in some of the larger editions of The I Ching. Most will just refer to the Readings, and you can extend your understanding by consulting more than one edition of the I Ching. Your selected hexagram, to answer all those questions and concerns about your life, will only show you the present moment. This present moment contains the past and the future (in your thoughts and connections) and also the way the world is right now. You respond to the conditions, and your intentions, that now exist, and by combining the two gauge the prospects for success. What is remarkable is that the lines of energy in your hexagram also have the potential to change, producing another hexagram to indicate the future development of events.
The I Ching Reading
There are eight three line TRIGRAM symbols that make-up the hexagrams. The trigrams show the underlying direction and speed of the energy, while the hexagram sums-up the overall situation.
THE I CHING The Book of Change
3000 - 5000 years ago the ancient Chinese produced a system in which the energy flow of TAO, of Chance and Change, could be reflected, and predicted, in every event, condition, and situation, in your life. This flow, and these situations, are dynamically represented, and open to change, through the 64 hexagrams of The I Ching. There are ‘set’ meanings to the hexagrams and these form the Readings of The I Ching, through a number of life situations.
You select one of these hexagrams in a special way, to answer any question you have about your present life and intentions, and the hexagrams actually change to show you the future outcome of your decisions, or situation.
A concise introduction, historical outline, an explanation of the energies, and the construction and use of the 64 hexagrams, reveal the mystery of The I Ching.
For the first time energy symbols are given for each hexagram to give another non-verbal interpretation, and the combination of pairs of hexagrams based on King Wens’ original layout provide an extra insight. The trigrams are presented as flows of energy with recommendations for direction and timing.
There are many applications from Divination, Feng Shui, Astrology, the strategy for war, and as steps to spiritual enlightenment. Today you can still access its’ wisdom. This book will answer any question you have about your life and intentions, and is for everyone who faces chance and change.
“An essential guide to The I Ching”
On a basic level, the top three lines of the hexagram represent the presence and influence of the world, and the bottom three lines show your strength and direction.
The revolution in your awareness, and in your life, comes about, or is aided by, the hexagrams. There is a formula that causes a revolution -
The top three lines of your hexagram show WHAT YOU WANT
The bottom three lines of your hexagram show WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
In The I Ching these may stand for the WORLD and your SELF, respectively, but The TAO I CHING gets closer to your OWN ENERGY, and the reflection, and resolution, of your situation. This revolutionary formula cannot, strictly speaking, be applied to the hexagrams of the standard I Ching, because of a technical detail in the reversal of meaning of two of the trigrams, which makes the whole process work. It is the confusion and conflict of these two halves of your hexagram that causes all the problems, and indeed reflects them. Without knowing this simple formula your questions to The I Ching will continue endlessly , possibly without ‘permanent’ improvement. This also has the effect of alerting you to your own personal use of energy, which can have life-changing consequences, reducing stress and increasing optimism and efficiency.
The difference between WHAT YOU WANT and WHAT YOU ARE DOING to get it, can, initself cause conflict. Many may seek achievement through conflict, or feel obliged by their circumstances to do so. Harmony, effectiveness, and ease, rests on a balance between these two trigrams, above and below. It will not rest in the use of force or conflict, or in the greater emphasis of one, or more, trigrams. WHAT YOU WANT and WHAT YOU DO need to be in harmony, essentially in your energy, and consequently in your thoughts, activities, and emotions. Of course, that’s all you have to do now is find the meaning and power or influence of each trigram. These are provided, with their ‘speed’ and strength, and fuller Readings, in The TAO I CHING. You will find that you have eight very good friends, here in the trigrams, who will always tell you what you need to know, rather than what you want to hear. As they say, the truth can be unpleasant sometimes, but it is always liberating.
The TAO I CHING will not give you one answer to resolve all your problems, but instead focuses on your awareness and abilities, applied to specific questions or situations. As such, and for any doubt or enquiry, frame a personal and specific question on a particular topic. For larger questions about your direction in life, proceed step by step in different areas of your life. There are at least 64 steps, many of which you will already have taken (and thus be prepared for in the future), but you will find that you have 64 Helpers who are always available.
The Great Revolution
The secret of the hexagrams
Every hexagram is made-up of a top and bottom trigram. These combine to reflect and inform you of your present situation. To understand your influence, direction, and power, you need to know what each half stands for.
If you read through this page you will find The secret of the
Hexagrams
at the bottom of the page.
Welcome to
The Great Revolution
There are two flows of energy with different directions that compliment and compete with each other. These two energy flows are called Yin and Yang, and make-up the symbol above at the top of the page. The energies are not merely Yin and Yang labels but powerful flows of energy.
By using the TAO I CHING you have a choice in energy, and direction.
The TAO I CHING gives you complete and easy access to the Ancient Chinese system of advice, guidance, and prediction, that has been in existence for over 3000 years. This system uses the underlying energy flows of the universe to improve, change, and predict, all aspects of your life.
HEXAGRAM
HIGHWAY
for more updated insights
into the hexagrams.
Take a look.
