The act of casting lots is akin to divination, an art form in itself. A poorly cast lot can hinder the swift and accurate deduction of the six hexagrams. The entire process of casting lots involves:
1. Recording the date and time of the prediction, ideally selecting the auspicious deity beforehand. For instance, in general divination, the celestial hexagram is often chosen as the auspicious deity.
2. Properly arranging the hexagrams. It is preferable to display all transformed hexagrams.
Researchers typically use white paper for arranging the hexagrams. Black characters on white paper are clear at a glance. For public predictions, red paper is generally used, as red symbolizes good fortune and joy in Chinese folklore. It is bright and eye-catching, stimulating the visual nerves and creating a lively and joyful atmosphere. It easily captures the attention and focus of the inquirer, and also attracts business. However, many modern researchers use white paper, which not only has a modern significance but also because some researchers recognize that excessive exposure to red can lead to restlessness and anxiety. After extensive deductions, fatigue can easily set in, so this aspect should also be noted.
The arrangement of hexagrams, also known as layout, is akin to preparing for battle. Just as a good battle formation is advantageous for marching and fighting, a well-laid hexagram layout is crucial for effective divination. The essence of divination lies in:
1. Accuracy in writing.
2. Crafting in a manner that benefits oneself and enhances one’s ability for swift inference. There is an art to the way one writes; generally, it should create a favorable situation for one’s own deductions, speed, and accuracy—a disposition where support can be garnered from afar, and responses can be aligned sequentially. It can be said that divination is akin to waging war; one must first arrange the battlefield to gain an advantage in facing the enemy. The better the divination, the more conducive it is to the rapid inference of the hexagrams. Each individual can develop their unique way of casting the hexagrams. Now, I will enumerate my personal method of casting the hexagrams:
For instance, in the year of Yi Mao, in the month of Xin Wei, on the day of Xin Wei, at the hour of Gui Yi, which corresponds to the morning of July 18, 1999, a gentleman surnamed Lin proposed marriage, and the hexagram transformed from Qian (Heaven) to Huo (Fire), indicating great prosperity:
– Snake (You) in the position of father (Wu Shi), with an official in the position of husband (Yi Ying).
– Heaven (Tian) on the right, fire (Huo) in the center, with a hook (Gou) indicating the older brother (Shen), and the end (Mo) indicating the father.
– Heaven (Tian) on the right, with cinnabar (Zhu) in the center, an official in the position of noon (Wu Wu), and the older brother (Xiong) corresponding to the rooster (You).
– Heaven (Tian) on the right, with a dragon (Long) in the center, the father (Fu) corresponding to the dragon (Chen) in the position of the father (Fu).
– Heaven (Tian) Qian (Qian) in the center, with military (Wu) corresponding to wealth (Cai) in the position of the tiger (Yin), and wealth (Cai) in the position of the tiger (Yin).
This casting method takes into account the modern practice of arranging text information from left to right and reading from left to right, thus abandoning the traditional method of arranging text from right to left. From the perspective of the upper and lower hexagrams, it is readily apparent which lines occupy which hexagrams, and which hexagrams contain which lines. Moreover, consolidating the hexagrams and lines together facilitates analysis starting from the lines, and also aids in unraveling from the hexagrams. Employing both the lines and the hexagrams simultaneously yields superior results. From a holistic standpoint, there is profound transformation within Qian. By arranging the hexagrams in sequence, erroneous hexagrams, tracing hexagrams, and interactive hexagrams stand distinctly, offering a remarkably intuitive layout. This comparative approach lends itself to the cultivation of a conducive mindset for swift, accurate, and insightful divination, enabling support from afar and resonance in succession. It facilitates the extraction of both surface and profound layers of information contained within each hexagram, line, and hexagram spirit, achieving clarity and lucidity at a glance.
Interpreting Hexagrams: Many practitioners seek elegance in their written interpretations, which is commendable in itself. However, one should not be overly fixated on textual beauty, nor should one adhere too rigidly to textual analysis, as it could constrain the essence of true divination. The exquisite essence of the six lines lies in their liveliness, fluidity, and natural flow. Being fixated on appearances only scratches the surface, failing to reach the essence. Hence, it is essential to transcend such constraints and embody liveliness, fluidity, and naturalness. The essence of writing on a piece of paper lies not in what is written or the quality of calligraphy, but rather in the ability to deduce swiftly, steadily, accurately, and effortlessly.
Therefore, it is preferable to write hexagram interpretations freely, decisively, and spontaneously. It is best to enter a state of “wu” or “qigong” throughout the process of writing hexagrams. Embrace the flow of the brush with freedom and ease. Sometimes, even if you err in the casting of hexagrams, it matters little. There is a mysterious force at play, one that eludes your rational mind, crafting works that leave even yourself in awe afterward – the mis-cast hexagram. It seems as though divine intervention aligns with it, harmonizing with the will of heaven and aligning with the facts, remarkably accurate. To this day, people have yet to fully grasp the stroke of genius behind these mis-cast hexagrams, attributing it to a profound understanding and diligent practice of the art of divination, coupled with an ethereal touch of inspiration. Its spontaneous and imaginative nature stands in stark contrast to the meticulousness and seriousness of traditional hexagram interpretation. Some regard these mis-casts as a deviation from the orthodox path, yet those who employ them see divination as emancipation – liberation to write freely, to express oneself uninhibitedly. Once one enters the realm of freedom, distinctions between right and wrong fade away; only the pursuit of truth remains. Unfettered by any form of constraint, one walks their path freely, for in freedom, there is no room for dichotomies. Freedom is natural, flowing effortlessly with the currents of existence. For novice practitioners of hexagrams, one mustn’t tread recklessly! It is said, “Great craftsmen teach the way with standards.” When first delving into the realm of hexagrams, one must adhere to their fundamental principles. Yet, if inadvertently, a mis-cast hexagram emerges, embracing it without hesitation or attempting to rectify it according to the prescribed method is the way to go! The intricacies and efficacy embedded within this endeavor are truly inscrutable to those who have not traversed similar paths.
