Moving Line in Yi King
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For some reason, I was prompted to study the Yi King this morning and cast coins for the first time. I worked off the instructions and hexagram interpretations in Liber 216. However, I was unclear about what role the 'moving line' should play in interpreting a hexagram. For example, I cast a 39 today (Kien - Moon of Earth), with the moving line in Line 5 (second from the top) - what are some possible ways to interpret this positioning?
*39. THE KIEN HEXAGRAM
Moon of Earth
KIEN: Incompetence and lameness; time
for the great man to aid thee in the climb.Advance adds trouble; stillness aids thee now.
Keep struggling with no self to mar thy vow.
Advance not; seek again thine ancient clan!
Advance not; be with those united thou.
Struggle! Friends come to prosecute thy plan.
Advance not! Wait for aid from the great man!*In Liber 216, Crowley also refers readers to another book, "Magick," where he apparently discusses the Yi King in greater depth - does this refer to the brief discussion of divination in Magick in Theory and Practice? Or is there another source I should look for? Other, non-Crowley sources would be appreciated, as well.
Edited: to add hexagram text
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That's what he means, yes.
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@Galahad said
"For some reason, I was prompted to study the Yi King this morning and cast coins for the first time. I worked off the instructions and hexagram interpretations in Liber 216. However, I was unclear about what role the 'moving line' should play in interpreting a hexagram. For example, I cast a 39 today (Kien - Moon of Earth), with the moving line in Line 5 (second from the top) - what are some possible ways to interpret this positioning?"
My understanding and experience have revealed that the moving lines are a secondary step in the process. They may be able to indicate a more specific reference to the current situation that you are asking about. In this case, the moving line at 5 indicates that although you are struggling with an obstacle(s), friends will help.
Once you've analyzed the question and response thoroughly then you can look at the hexagram that the changing lines create. In this case the solid line in the fifth position changes to a broken line, creating Hexagram number 15: Chi'en/Modesty. This gives you an idea of the future situation if you heed the advice from the initial hexagram. The I Ching primarily tells you what's going on now and what* could* happen in the future, just like any proper oracle.
@Galahad said
"In Liber 216, Crowley also refers readers to another book, "Magick," where he apparently discusses the Yi King in greater depth - does this refer to the brief discussion of divination in Magick in Theory and Practice? Or is there another source I should look for? Other, non-Crowley sources would be appreciated, as well. "
Although I appreciate Crowley's interpretation and utilize his perspective in readings, I find it extremely valuable to reference multiple sources: Wilhelm, Blofeld, Legge, Karcher, Wing, et al... as we are translating not only a language, but an entire abstract symbol set from an ancient and distinctive culture. You can find pdf's online but I also suggest getting yourself a hard copy.
I hope this helps and please feel free to ask any more questions about the reading. I absolutely adore the I Ching-It's never steered me wrong!
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I really don't mean to self-promote, but I'm soon to have a book published that will deal with the I Ching through a focus on the Great Work and the perspective of a western magical practitioner ("The Magician's I Ching", coming out almost any time now). I talk about Crowley and his relationship to the I Ching and why he's important in the history of I Ching in the west, as well as other things about how to relate the I Ching to western magical practice.
I would definitely agree, as interesting as Crowley's version of the I Ching might be, that you probably need to look at other versions/translations.In Crowley's method of I Ching casting, there's only ever one moving line (and always one moving line). This would be interpreted, if from the context of traditional I Ching, as the central and most important part of the casting. It would be, in essence, the advice that tells you how you should be acting RIGHT NOW, with the main text of the original hexagram serving as the background of the whole situation, and main the text of the "resulting hexagram" (the new hexagram formed when you change the 'moving line' into its opposite) as representing where the situation is going.
In systems where it is possible generate more than one moving line, or indeed no moving lines, the interpretation gets a little more complex than that.
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@Swamiji said
"I really don't mean to self-promote, but I'm soon to have a book published that will deal with the I Ching through a focus on the Great Work and the perspective of a western magical practitioner ("The Magician's I Ching", coming out almost any time now)."
Please, self-promote away!
I hadn't heard about your book, but now I can't wait to read it - *(http://www.amazon.com/Magicians-Ching-Swami-Anand-Nisarg/dp/1904658652:2zip7x7c) -
@Galahad said
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@Swamiji said
"I really don't mean to self-promote, but I'm soon to have a book published that will deal with the I Ching through a focus on the Great Work and the perspective of a western magical practitioner ("The Magician's I Ching", coming out almost any time now)."Please, self-promote away!
I hadn't heard about your book, but now I can't wait to read it - *(http://www.amazon.com/Magicians-Ching-Swami-Anand-Nisarg/dp/1904658652:2z6wo296)"Why indeed it is! I had no idea that was up already!
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Again, I hope it's not excessive self-promotion on my part here (don't want to be breaking any rules), but The Magician's I Ching is now actually available, on Amazon.
www.amazon.com/Magicians-Ching-Swami-Anand-Nisarg/dp/1904658652
It should be pretty interesting to anyone operating from a Thelemic background.