Something about the yarrow stalk method...

[soshin]

Since about five months I use the yarrow stalks rather than the coins, and IMHO the quality of the readings improved a lot. I think, this results mainly because one is forced to a more open and meditative state of mind by the relative complexity and monotony of the method (doing the same over and over again). So maybe I read the resulting answer better than before, but on the other hand it seems to me that the quality of the answers improved really.
And something about the complexity of the stalk method: It is not that complex as I thought before starting with it. I do not think that one should have too much respect because of the complexity. Alas, especially Wilhelms otherwise great and wonderful translation is doing not so good a job in explaining the stalk method. It seems unnecessarily complicated to me.
It is explained quite well until he puts a lot of effort into translating the number of stalks you seperate after one full operation (in two complicated steps)into the numbers six, seven, eight or nine you actually want to know.
By chance ;-) I realized that the number of the remaining groups of four stalks equals the number six or nine which (the number)is mentioned at the beginning of the text of all the moving lines.And the sevens and eights would be the unmoving yin and yang lines respectively.
So I was surprised that it worked better and easier than I thought before actually trying it.
Just for encouraging others to give it a try and not to wait like me for ten years until actually incorporating this method.The time of learning and trying was worth every minute to me.
Just my two cents ;-)
By the way, thanks to you all for the warm welcome --- and please dont mind my bad English.

[davidl]

The first time I ever heard of the I Ching was at a street fair 25 years ago. I was given a yarrow stalk reading, a very good one actually. This was the last time I have seen the yarrow stalks as after I purchased my first Wilhelm I bought coins and after reading Wilhelms stalk explanation have never tried them. Your posting has reminded me that I should obtain some stalks and try them. I tend to only do the occasional reading these days, so the extra time would be well worth the effort if the results are better. Does any one have a simple method for use of the stalks or do I just plough through Wilhelm until I understand ?
Thanks Soshin

[hilary]

Try this (http://www.onlineClarity.co.uk/practical_I_Ching/yarrow.html)!

http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/wink.gif

See the note at the bottom on the 'easier method'. It's exactly what Soshin discovered, though I just found it in another book - not nearly clever enough to work it out by myself!

[joang]

Hilary,
I just read the Yarrow stalk directions at that link above, and I'm sorry to say there is an error in it.

On the first of the 3 passes, you can only end up with either 5 stalks or 9. It is only on the next two passes, that you will end up with either 4 stalks or 8.

It really isn't difficult if you do it a couple of times. I think it's worth the effort.

Namaste,
Joan G.

[hilary]

Hi Joan,

Now you've got me worried... do you have any idea how long that description's been sitting on this site? But I don't think it's wrong. I've just incorporated the different count first time around in a different way, by saying you don't count the single stick between your fingers on the first counting (thus reducing 5 or 9 to 4 or 8), but you do on the second and third.

I prefer counting the piles of four at the end - a lot simpler. Or using marbles. http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/happy.gif

[joang]

Hi Hilary.
No, I have no idea how long it's been there. I only read it now because I was curious to see how the Yarrow stalk method was explained here as compared with Wilhelm's complicated version of it. When I read the explanation above, I thought
that where it said, "...not including the one on its own that you picked up at first" it was referring to the first stalk, the one that is taken out of the bunch of 50, and remains outside of of the action for the duration of the counting with the other 49. If it is referring to the single stalk that you remove from the right hand bunch and place next to your little finger, then not-counting it sounds strange to me. It isn't the way I do it. But then, who said my way is the only way? :-)

Namaste,
Joan G.

[joang]

Hilary,
I couldn't sleep, thinking about this, so I got out of bed and re-read Wilhelm's explanation. By golly, he did say you disregard that stalk on each of the first countings, making a 9 an 8, and a 5 a 4. I must have simplified it myself early on and forgot about that. It just seemed easier to remember that 9 or 8 = 2, and 5 or 4 =3. At any rate, the end result is correct with either method. I apologize for worrying you. I should have re-read Wilhelm's before I posted.

Namaste,
Joan G.