Javascript I Ching Reading There are many javascript I Ching scripts on the internet, but they're all based on the coin tossing method of hexagram generation. This passive version, on the other hand is based on the yarrow stalk method which manifests the passive approach to the I Ching and well as a question-based method that manifests the active approach to the I Ching. (thanks to Dan Enright for doing the basic yarrow stick format which I have modified) After reading the instructions and before going to the oracle I suggest reading the BACKGROUND section that follows the instructions. INSTRUCTIONS To use the passive approach for a reading, click on the "Passive Oracle" button. A small window will appear. Click on the "Create Hexagram(s)" button to generate the hexagrams. Red indicates a changing line. Clicking on the "Current State", "Future State", and "Causal State" buttons will replace this page with the corresponding hexagram's details (clicking inside the small window before clicking on the hexagram page will cause the small window to re-appear after a few seconds). Clicking on the "Close Window" button will close the small window. Do NOT click on any of the additional information links at the moment, they have not been set-up for this site. You have three choices: (1) The "Causal State" reflects the flow of the context. To go with the flow, adopt the characteristics of the associated hexagram. (2) The "Current State" reflects tension between text and context. To assert the characteristics of this hexagram as context you need to neutralise the changing lines. If there are no changing lines then you are 'in the flow' and need to do nothing. (3) The "Future State" reflects what will develop if you do nothing in response to any changes etc. BACKGROUND I am assuming some knowledge of the I Ching, (if you are 'thin' on this subject then go to the bigger I Ching site ) but the following should get you up and running with this facinating manifestation of your brain-mind at work. The I Ching (translates as "Book of Changes") is a Chinese divining tool as well as philosophical system that serves as a metaphor for describing the interactions of objects and relationships; the basic distinctions our brain uses to process information. The I Ching is based on generating a six-line symbol called a hexagram (often interpreted as two trigrams, one atop the other). Each line can have one of four possible values, all positive, all negative, positive changing into negative, negative changing into positive. (you can replace the positive/negative distinction with many other terms, e.g. firmness/softeness, light/dark etc these are all called dichotomies. It is this METHOD of using dichotomies thart creates a sense of meaning - see the work on Integrations, Differentiations, and Meaning, IDM.) The resulting hexagrams have comments attached that reflect the particular expression of the patterns made by the lines. There are various ways of accessing this information in the I Ching and there are two methods used at this site. One is by the use of questions, the yes/no answers of which create a hexagram (see later) and the other is through the use of the random generation of a number but only following the asking of a particular question that you need help on. The random number, in the range of 1 to 64, is a 'chapter' number in the I Ching and the chapter contains a particular symbol (hexagram) combined with commentary. The commentary will in some way 'fit' to your question and may give you a 'different ' perspective on the situation involved with the question. How does this work, you ask? The I Ching deals with change or more so the harmonics associated with any object (whole). The way the I Ching is written allows for ANY question to be asked and what appears as a 'meaningful' answer generated. The question acts to set a particular context, a key if you like, within which the patterns of the I Ching function. When you ask the question, combined with the random number linked to the chapter, you will get one or more 'changing lines', these lines reflect external influences that are forcing the current hexagram to change into another. Since the I Ching is supposed to manifest 'all there is' any change in a hexagram must be caused by the influence of another hexagram. This other hexagram manifests the context in which the current hexagram exists and it is this context hexagram that is causing the changes (if any) that are forcing the current hexagram to change into the future hexagram. Once you have the window open you can try a little experiment in clicking on the 'create hexagrams' with no thought it mind. You will not make any associations when doing this since the hexagrams are like harmonics and without a 'key' in the form of a thought they are 'meaningless'. Come up with a thought and 'behold' the resulting hexagrams will in someway 'relate' to that thought. What you are witnessing is your mind at work where we use an invariant method of analysis for ALL objects (and thoughts are objectsm, as are situations, future events etc in that the act of particularisation forces the brain to identify an object). Have fun. To use the active approach for a reading, click on the "Active Oracle" button. You will be taken to the Proactive I Ching page. For more information about the I Ching other than my sites, I recommend: Please direct any comments or suggestions to: chris lofting