Taming I Ching Oracles
I have both the Osho Zen and the TAO oracle, too, and I've found both to be very insightful decks as well as beautiful in their art. The I Ching varies in its foundational focus in that it speaks more to cause effect relationships along a time-space continuim. To get the wholism of information from the deck, it is important to take into account the various components of the I Ching: the lines, their position and meaning, how they can "move", and how they address the choices we make as coming from a "superior man"/(which is to say a spiritually attuned ) position or not.
Trying to use tarot designed spreads for I Ching informing seems counter-intuitive to me, and may belie the guidance. It is kind-of like trying to "stick a square peg into a round hole"; while, you may be able to get it to work sometimes, the real strength of the tool you're working with is weakened substantively.
I find the focus of asking, "Is there something I need to be made consiously aware of regarding 'x'?" is an excellent way to get useful guidance information.
I have never used the coin tossing method for I Ching which is the standard. I tune in to the deck and pull the card that "calls to me". I've developed a way to harness my intuition to actually sense the card with the vibration that is the "answer to my call." This has always delivered profound responses. I would heartedly encourage you to get several books which will make understanding and ease of use of I Ching materials so much easier, while vastly improving the meaning making it more understandable because it is aligned to the way we think in present time and with our Western bent:
1. THE I CHING WORKBOOK by R.L. WING (isbn 0-385-12838-X) - This resource is done with a 2pg format that is well organized and very attuned to modern times and situations. Business and daily affairs will be easy to plug-in and relate to how it applies to this info.
2. HEALING LINES by Robert Leichtman, M D and Carl Japikse (isbn 0-89804-090-6) -
This resource is a also simplified to a 2pg format with the focus of the information specifically geared to "Healing inquiries".
3. SECRETS OF THE I CHING by Joseph Murphy. - This resource is very spiritually oriented with its guidance and will appeal to the biblical and mystical side of answering. My copy is from 1970, and I've only a Lib Cat # 78-113173.
There is a 4th book I find useful, yet, I use it much less because it is very contrite with one or two sentences of information. But, the info is clear and categorized for quick reference. It uses a format that includes a circle diagram with 12 categories applying the basic message of the trigram as it would apply through those differing concerns. As a beginner with the I Ching, this can be a useful tool as you work your way into it more intricate components. This book is I CHING FOR EVERYONE by Myles Seabrook. (isbn 0- 7607-0659-x).
Happy exploring! If you would be so kind as to let me know if any of these suggestions was of usefulness or not, so I can better understand how to be of service to others. Thank you.
All to Love,
