Bibliomancy and Stichomancy

[davidl]

In one of the last threads I think it was Harmen that mentioned bibliomancy, and I thought it might be interesting to play with this concept here in open space. Now, bibliomancy is apparently the art of selecting a random paragraph from the opening of a 'holy' book and finding an appropriate answer to a current situation. Stichomancy is basically the same but any book off the shelf can be utilised. What I thought might be interesting is if we pose a question that all people could ask, using either biblio or sticho to get their answer, then post the reference and describe if the reading had any special meaning to them.

The question is;
What do I need to know about myself, that I am currently blind to, that will improve my life and the lives of those around me?

My reading(picked while not looking, from the bookshelf).

Reference: The Best of Lewis Carroll. Page 342. First paragraph. A Tangled Tale.

" Putney Walker, Rose, Sea breeze, Simple Susan, and Money Spinner.(These last two I count as one, as they send a joint answer). Rose and Simple Susan + Co. do not actually state that the hill top was reached sometime between 6 and 7, but, as they have clearly grasped the fact that a mile, ascended and descended, took the same time as two level miles,I mark them as "right". A Malbourough Boy and Putney Walker deserve honorable mention, for their algebraical solutions, being the only two who have perceived that the question leads to 'an indeterminate equation'. E.W. brings a charge of untruthfulness against the aged knight-a serious charge, for he was the very pink of chivalry! She says, "According to the data given, the time at the summit, affords no clue to the total distance. It does not enable us to state precisely to an inch how much level and how much hill there was on the road". "Fair damsel", the aged knight replies,"-if, as I surmise, thy initials denote Early Womanhood- bethink thee that the word 'enable' is thine, not mine. I did but ask the time of reaching the hilltop as my condition for further parley. If now thou wilt not grant that I am a truth loving man, then will I affirm that those same initials denote Envenomed Wickedness"!
End quote.

Still pondering. Any other players?

[hmesker]

Hi David,

Great topic, and I think you received a very meaningful - and beautiful! - answer in the first sentence: "Putney Walker, Rose, Sea breeze, Simple Susan, and Money Spinner.(These last two I count as one, as they send a joint answer)." The symbolism in these names is overwhelming, and the last sentence "These last two I count as one, as they send a joint answer is striking. To me it seems the answer to you has to do with being 'Simple Susan' and a 'Money Spinner'. I think you can skip the part from "E.W. brings a charge....", to me most meaning can be found in the first sentences.

I will go to my book shelves in a moment, pick a book and let you know what it comes up with.....

Best wishes,

Harmen.

[joang]

OK, David, I'll play.

I backed up to my bookcase, reached behind me, and pulled out "The Symbolic Life," volume 18 of the collected works of CG Jung. I opened it to page 443. It begins with:

The concept of ambivalence is probably a valuable addition to our terminology. In one and the same thing the opposite may be contained. Altus = high and deep. Pleasure may derive from pain. This implies not a sequence of one after the other, but a simultaneous one-in-the-other: a uniform given.

Interesting, huh? It makes me think of the Taoist concept that each thing contains the seed of its opposite. So, maybe it means no person or event in our lives, no matter how negative it may seem, is totally hopeless. What do you think?

Namaste,
Joan

[heylise]

For David,

Early womanhood, who is an Anima not yet grown to her full female power, dares to question the aged knight, who is the pink of chivalry. By doing so, she becomes Envenomed Wickedness.
For "improving my life and the lives of those around me", my soul and my persona have to be in accord. Each with his own pride and place.

??
LiSe

[heylise]

Campbell (in Thou Art That): " . . It is evidence of a concern centuries before Christ to coordinate the lunar and solar calendars. What we have to recognize is that these celestial bodies represented to the ancients two different modes of eternal life, one engaged in the field of time, like throwing off death, as the moon its shadow, to be born again; the other disengaged and eternal. The dating of Easter according to both lunar and solar calendars suggests that life, like the light that is reborn in the moon and eternal in the sun, finally is one".

Strange coincidence: this afternoon I have put a sentence on my main web-page explaining the name of my Yijing: Book of Sun and Moon.

LiSe

[yellowblue]

Random selection off my bookshelf.... hand reached out to Milton and opened to this paragraph in Paradise Lost:

"Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased,
And find thee knowing not of beasts alone,
Which thou hast rightly named, but of thyself--
Expressing well the spirit within you free,
My image not imparted to the brute;
Whose fellowship, therefore, unmeet for thee,
Good Reason was thou freely shouldst dislike.
And be so minded still. I, ere thous spak'st,
Knew it not good for Man to be alone,
And no such company as then thou saw'st
Intended thee---for trial only brought,
To see how thou couldst judge of fit and meet.
What next I bring shall please thee, be assured,
Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self,
Thy wish exactly to thy heart's desire."

This after losing my job last Friday, and in the separation someone I held dear. Now I will smile...

Great thread Davidl!!

Deb

[willow]

Q: What do I need to know about myself, that I am currently blind to, that will improve my life and the lives of those around me?

A: Neville had never been on a broomstick in his life, because his grandmother had never let him near one.


hee hee! So true.


Interesting libraries we have.


Bibliomancy is also a Sabien Symbol ? Taurus 21: ?A finger pointing at an open book.?

[martin]

Okay, what do I need to know about myself, that I am currently blind to, that will improve my life and the lives of those around me?

Answer: Phenomenology of Space.

(The title of chapter 12 of 'The Void' by A.H. Almaas)

Still pondering ...http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/biggrin.gif

[mick]

David,

The book that was nearby when I thought of taking part in this thread was "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut.

So rather than take that book, I decided to go up to my attic where there's a pile of old books. Switching the light off, I picked a book at random and it was another copy of "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut :~)

The quote I turned to said,

"As long as you wear this, no harm will come to you."

I wear a silver Star of David :~)

Best wishes,

Mick

[candid]

I reached for "Communion with God" by Neale Walsch, and opened it randomly to:

Love invites you, always, to break the bonds of ignorance. To ask any question. To seek any answer. To speak any word. To share any thought. To support any system. To worship any God.

To live your truth.

Love invites you, always, to live your truth.

That's how you can know that it is love.

[ryder]

Never tried bibliomancy before. I?ve heard about people doing it with the Bible, especially in hard times. There are times when people just need to know what?s what, whether they call it divination or not.

You guys inspired me to give it a try. Last night I turned out the lights in the room with the big bookcase. It was pitch black. I silently asked a big question, asking the Great Spirit for guidance in a difficult personal matter. Then I felt my way along the wall to the bookcase, fingered the books on the top shelf, picked a thick one I figured was our Bible or maybe the dictionary. Took the book down, opened it up toward the middle. Probably the Bible, it had an attached ribbon bookmarker. Picked the right-hand page, and laid my finger on my fortune. Thank You, Great One, for Your guidance!

When I turned on the lights, this is what I read:

?2 1/2 tablespoons flour
2 cups, Stock, 523
Cook and stir the sauce until it boils. Add the chicken. Cover and simmer until tender, 1 hour or more. Remove the chicken to a hot ovenproof serving dish. Strain the sauce. Reheat it in the top of a double boiler over ? not in ? boiling water and add to the strained sauce:
1/3 cup sweet or cultured sour cream
Season to taste?

The book was ?The Joy of Cooking.? Any ideas? Maybe I should try stichomancy instead. Only what is it?

Ryder

[yellowblue]

Hi Ryder,

Thank you for that.... it was just what the doctor ordered : )

I asked Yi what the message for you was and got 16 lines 1, 2 & 3 to 34. I'm not adept at interpreting but what I get is maybe you were expecting to much, putting to much into the act itself... Maybe testing too??? When I first tried this many years ago I think I experienced something equally discouraging. Try again and see what is what.... : )

Anyone else on 16 to 34???? Maybe a better interpretation and thoughts???

Deb

[candid]

A short and related story:

Many years ago I had moved to a small North Dakota prairie town. As a dedicated and practicing Christian, I was seeking a local church for my family to attend.

On this particular Sunday I decided to fellowship with a small, dedicated group whose worship was beautifully simple. However, it became apparent that the group had adopted a belief that suffering gracefully was our collective lot in this life. I wouldn?t have minded some of this, as suffering in this life is something to come to terms with, spiritually. But inside of me, I felt a distinct calling to speak the other side of this truth, and proclaim a victorious message to the congregation. Little did I realize the opportunity that lie ahead to do just that.

You see, it was the practice of this group to open up the pulpit to anyone who ?felt the hand of God? and to share the Spirit?s message.

I opened up my K.J. Bible randomly to Isaiah 61, and began reading verses 1 through 3:

?The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.?

My body felt light and electrified reading the scripture, and I had a powerful notion to rise and go to the podium to share this inspired word. But, I reasoned, I am new here. It would be rash for me to assume any sort of authority ? how presumptuous!

I sat nervously through each testimony of suffering, hearing story after sad story the personal accounts of suffering for the Lord?s sake.

No, I protested, I can not be so bold as to proclaim this message of Isaiah?s to the people.

The following Sunday, while shaving and getting ready to return to this same church, the Spirit spoke to me saying: ?I?m giving you a word this morning, and I want you to deliver it.? Reluctantly, I half-agreed to deliver it, if the message and timing were made clear to me.

During that part of the service the book opened to the same passage as I sat listening to more suffering testimonials. I reasoned with the Spirit, ?I?m too new. They won?t receive the message yet, Lord!? And so did the service end without renewal.

The following Sunday, again, the Spirit told me that I was to proclaim the joyess message I had been given.

Again the book opened to the same verse. My body shook like a volcano, and again I tried to reason with the Spirit: it was not time to stand and proclaim the Lord?s joy.

At that exact second, the children, who were in religious class the floor below us, began to sing loudly:

?He gave us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.?

Every electrified hair on my body stood straight! I stood, unreluctantly walked to the pulpit and enthusiastically delivered the Spirit?s message, using Isaiah 61:1-3 as the text reference.

The group embraced me warmly after the service, thanking me over and over again for having the courage to speak what the Spirit had to say. Humbling experience.

I never returned, nor could I ever forget that synchronistic and sacred event.

PS: Ryder, I got a good chuckle reading your post, and then thought ? is not The Joy Of Cooking hexagram 50?

Peace,
Candid

[joang]

Ryder, that was hilarious! Thanks for the laugh.

Stichomancy is essentially the same as bibliomancy. The prefix sticho = a line; biblio = a book.

[heylise]

Beautiful thread!!
Reading Ryder and Candid, both giving me a lot of joy. Quite different, but both together made me all over happy.

I agree with Deb's idea of hexagram 50. What struck me was 'season to taste', might be a valuable advice.

LiSe

[dharma]

Ryder,
whatever your question was, a cooking recipe was the answer. First Candid's hx50, then LiSe's 'season of taste' and now my version:

Since cooking is a form of chemistry you must recognize that certain steps need to be taken before others and that certain elements need to combine together for specific results to be attained. In the end, you must learn to be patient while the ingredients 'unite' through the process of heat.

Ultimately, enJoy every step of the Cooking process because this is what it will take for you to 'achieve' what you are after. If you cut out any of the steps, especially the cooking part, you will end up with something you hadn't originally had in mind when you started.

[davidl]

Ryder,
Somethings cooking ! Remember, throw back the little ones, and slowly pan fry the big ones.

Candid,
A great story. I was there with you, reading that portion.

Harmen,
Thanks for your explanation, but what happened to you!

Dharma,
You can be sooo right.

Hope more join in soon, this is fun.

[mick]

I played football yesterday for the first time in over 5 years.

I was very anxious about playing but because of my Kurt Vonnegut quote, I wore my Star of David during the match.

I thoroughly enjoyed the game and came away without any aches and pains at all.

Mick

[hmesker]

<BLOCKQUOTE><HR SIZE=0><!-Quote-!><FONT SIZE=1>Quote:</FONT>

Harmen, Thanks for your explanation, but what happened to you!<!-/Quote-!><HR SIZE=0></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, I went upstairs to my bookcase, picked a book and arbitrarily choose a paragraph. Then I wanted to submit it to this forum, but my computer crashed &aacute;nd I had to do some groceries....I had to refurbish my computer to get it running again.

But here is what I got:

"The regulation governing the collection of half of the land-and-labor service tax was not very strict. It permitted tax amounting to less than one tael of silver to be handed in through the eight month (Liu-pu ch'u-fen tse-li, 25:1)."
(Local Government in China under the Ch'ing, T'ung-tsu Ch'&uuml;, p. 287

Okay, this is what I'll do: I will lower taxes for my family to one tael of silver, and give Irian his own car:

http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/messages/786/1094.jpg

Harmen.

[candid]

Great picture, Harmen! Irian looks quite pleased with the arrangement.

[clove]

I , too , closed my eyes and picked a book and opened a passage. It was from George Elliot's "Daniel Deronda". Didn't gell for me, so I picked another. A passage from Kawabata's "Snow Country". Still didn't like it. Picked another and it was a German text of a screen play by Brecht. Ahem. I can't read German.

Cheater's just desserts?

Seriously, anyone care to speak to the 'pick and chose' attitude in regards to *chance interventions*?

Clove

[hilary]

Enjoying this no end - especially the cooking! I've even, almost, got over my intimidation at the kind of thing most people seem to find by reaching into their bookcase at random. Almost.

First I chose Very Funny, Charlie Brown - call it a reaction to the collected works of Jung - and found the strip in which Snoopy decides that fangs are what he needs to be seriously scary. Naturally, this doesn't quite work out. (If there isn't a Peanuts oracle, though, there should be.) Couldn't think of anything impressive enough to say about that to post. http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/wink.gif

Next: Grimm's complete fairy tales.

"Just then, as Joringel looked at Jorinda, she was turned into a nightingale singing "oh-oh! oh-oh!". A night owl with glowing eyes flew around her three times, and each time it cried, "To-whoo! To-whoo! To-whoo" "

(Poor Jorinda has been enchanted by a hag - what did they expect for wandering through the forest up to her castle?? - but Joringel is shown in a dream a magic flower that enables him to break the spell.)

A bit more oracular-sounding, anyway! Since then, I've completely changed strategy on a business-ish partnership I was trying to work out. I had been going round in circles, getting ever nicer, sweeter and more accommodating while feeling worse and worse about the whole prospect of getting locked into the relationship. Now, I've sent an email calling the whole thing off. No more Tweety-Pie!

Clove - I could translate the Brecht, if you like, but can't guarantee depth or meaningfulness! (Especially not in Brecht...)

[candid]

Greetings, Cove.

Its my opinion that Chris has the most comprehensive ideas of ?pick and choose?. Sometimes hard to wade through the means to his ends though. At least for me. Nevertheless, I?ve gotten extensions of understanding from what he?s had to share here.

We do pick and choose. And we do resonate to certain key *exaggerated* words, images and terms. We apply the shoe wear it fits. There?s no doubt in my mind to this. We choose what means something to us in each reading, and much of this begins processing before it even reaches our conscious mind.

Here?s an illustration using an electric guitar signal moving through an amplifier:

guitar > cable > pre-amp > effects loop > amp > speaker = sound.

Before sound comes through the speaker the signal travels through 6 different junctions. At each junction additional data is introduced before moving on to the next process.

This, I think, is how we reach conclusions based on Yi?s readings. One focused transmission of thought, plugged into an pre-amplifier (exciter), through effects loop, where are added unique personality patterns. Into and through extreme amplification (exaggerator), and then into another series of coils on the back of the speaker (enabler), and finally emerges = answer.

Then there?s the flip side. Uncanny accuracy. Impeccable timing. Synchronistic opportunities. I have only analogies to this, and I don?t think it can be thoroughly explained without leaving massive holes and unanswered questions. For me, it works, just like my guitar and amp. I don?t have to know how to make a watch to know what time it is. http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/wink.gif

Candid

[candid]

Oops! Clove, not Cove! My apology. http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/paperbag.gif

[clove]

Hilary,

"I've even,almost, got over my intimidation at the kind of thing most people seem to find by reaching into their bookcase at random. Almost."

If it is a collection of ossified dustballs, then perhaps your bookshelf looks like mine? Well, here goes with the German. Maybe this is the only way to subvert attempts to censor the random texts:

Eddie Banks hat sich nicht sehen lassen, sagt der Schlachter.
Er hat sich im Geschaft sehen lassen, spat, halbbetrunken sagt Mrs. Machacek, und ist allein wieder weggegangen.
Duffy betrachtet die Gesellschaft und spricht zu Machacek:
Was ist los, Machacek? sagt er.
Ich bin nicht ich selbst in letzter Zeit, sagt Machacek. Ich bin etwas betrunken.
Inspektor Duffy geht.
Das ist die Hitze, sagt Mrs. Machacek. Die Party ist hin. Wir gehen lieber.

Sie sagt zum Besitzer: Schicken Sie mir die Rechnung, und beruhrt die Schulter Machaceks, der auf Eddie Banks' Stuhl starrt. Komm- wir gehen nach Hause...

If that is at all meaningful, please let me know!

Candid, interesting, what you say. I wonder that this ties in with the discussion on the other thread, regarding creating an opening in fixed ideas in order to make a choice. Your statement

"and much of this begins processing before it even reaches our conscious mind."

struck me.

If I am 'picking and choosing', am I not only working in my comfort zone?

So perhaps, that perhaps which may be especially meaningful is what I am first to disregard? In that it is most unconcious?

Just something to think about.
Back to playing. This is a fun game!

Clove, aka, cove!

[candid]

Clove,

I couldn't possibly explain the process, and which is conscious or unconscious. But I do know that we are highly selective creatures. We have favorite colors, music, clothes, cars, authors, etc. We generally don't think how we arrive at these preferences, though some conscious thought goes into each, especially our decision to select one over all the others.

Let's say, you walk into a large store to buy a shirt. You don't have to look through each and every item in the store to find something you identify with, something that "fits" your preferences. You scan over the store's floor, categorize what you see, and go to what speaks to you, what satisfies you. Next, you examine in greater detail the selection. The blue one or the green? Long sleeve or short? Button down or natural collar? Does it "fit" the occasion you'll be wearing it to? Does it suit your purpose? And then finally, is it worth the price?

Not every process mentioned was a conscious decision.

Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I do not advocate the theory that its all random or that there is no actually synchronicity involved. Yi speaks to me, just as it/he/she/they speaks to all who inquire with sincerity. Its more than picking and choosing, in my opinion, but we are not mere observers of the phenomenon either. We participate on several levels.

Candid

[hilary]

Here we go. At least my paranoia about the number of native German speakers here means the dictionary gets some time off the shelf.

Haven't seen Eddie Banks, says the butcher.
Saw him in the store, late and half-drunk, says Mrs Machacek, and he went off again by himself. [Note: I'm not sure whether Mrs M or Eddie is half drunk, but perhaps this isn't material...]
Duffy looks round the group and speaks to Machacek:
What's up, Machacek? he says.
I'm not myself lately, says Machacek. I'm a bit drunk.
Inspector Duffy leaves.
It's the heat, says Mrs Machacek. The party's over. We'd better go.
She says to the owner: send me the bill, and touches Machacek's shoulder - he's staring at Eddie Bank's chair. Come on, we're going home.


Significant? Try substituting 'significance' for 'Eddie Banks' in the above!

Maybe another layer, though: 'Edward' from Old English, 'rich guard'. Banks - places you keep valuables. Perhaps the only thing you can't find is a guard to keep you away from meaning?

[clove]

Hilary,

Brilliant! How did you DO that! And I don't just mean the German English translation!

But really, this is fascinating, the translation speaks to the process of deciphering from the unconscious to conscious!

Im taking lessons here, on your method!

Yes Candid, I hope that I hear what you are saying. Just as Hilary, in the above translation, went to the etimology of the name Edward, so we use skill and means to partcipate in the synchronisities an open mind brings our way. Is that in accord with what you are saying?

Clove

[heylise]

I think mrs. Machacek is your conscious mind. She is not drunk, and the only one who knows facts. Mr. Machacek is confused by one of the party's members not showing up, and now an inspector, so Eddy Banks is maybe dead.
Is there something in your life which you can handle fairly well, but your heart is upset about? Or a hint to a matter that you should look at with realism, end the 'party' and go home to your real feelings.

I did not pick the book totally at random. Usually stichomancy is done with a specific book, and then opening it at random and pointing the finger at random. I went along the books on the little shelf behind me, and stopped at the one which seemed right. I skipped the ephemeris and the Chinese calendar and even "Are you as happy as your dog". It was as if "Thou art that" jumped into my eye, so that was the one.

Still thinking about the moon and sun connection. It does make a lot of sense, since a month I feel I have to find a balance between my tangible and my electronic life. In a few weeks I will have the computer for 5 years, and it changed me and my life completely. Now everything is solid, and I can swing back to the center again.
I asked the Yi, what about the sun and moon? Hex.9, (lines 2 and 5), changing to 28! Small exceeding to great exceeding.

LiSe

[ryder]

Clove, I used to worry a quite lot about whether this or that divination was meaningful or not. What if I used the wrong method ? for example, coins instead of sticks? What if I was reading a bad translation or edition of the Yi? What if I wasn?t using the right deck of cards? What if I had no experience with the correct way to divine, as in a new-to-me technique like bibliomancy? What if the results just don?t make sense? How do I recognize a valid divination when I see one, a divination intended for me and my situation?

Then I learned a simple little trick from a diviner name Dianne Skafte. Dianne consciously ?acknowledges the Oracle? before every divination. Usually she puts her hands on the coins, stones, sticks, cards, books, or other divination materials, and says something like (can?t remember her exact words): ?I acknowledge you as the Oracle and ask for your guidance.?

In effect you are saying, ?These are the materials I have to work with. They may be imperfect or flawed or limited, but I ask the Oracle to speak through them in my need. I recognize the result as intended for my guidance.?

If you can acknowledge the Oracle sincerely, you can accept whatever follows as meaningful to your situation. If you cannot acknowledge the Oracle, then you should probably back off and consider using another approach or another occasion.

Acknowledging the Oracle up front, before the divination, helps put our doubts to rest. We can exchange ?Is this a meaningful answer?? for ?What does this answer mean?? Of course, this doesn?t mean you always understand what the Oracle is saying. That?s why I have to thank you all, especially Dharma, for helping me understand my cookbook bibliomancy better.

Ryder

[candid]

Hi, Clove.

Yes, that is exactly what I mean. And isn't it interesting to find significance in your German book; a language you don't even understand? But because you ?acknowledge the Oracle?, as Ryder so wonderfully put it, even the interpreter was provided, with almost no effort on your part!

Ask, and you shall receive.

I mean, what could be more simple?

People who genuinely seek from an oracle, any oracle, whether the Bible, I Ching, or any other way (my French Granny read tea leaves), will find answers.

At least we ask. That means we lend faith, which lends power to live a life more fruitfully.

You shall know them by their fruit. But fruit goes bad eventually, and then its time to work on what has spoiled, again. There is no finish line. But in my opinion, there?s plenty to get excited about. We paint this dream as we go, and there are no lines to contain us but the ones we draw.

What is this Tao? What is the woman that I should grasp her? I can not grasp her. She is no rewarder, nor does she require. Don't ask her when, she can't relate. Time is a heavenly virtue. She doesn't know, nor does she care. But, ask of her what you 'will', and she will grant it.

Peace,
Candid

[clove]

Methinks the butcher should get a second glance. Where is Eddie Banks. Beginning to really wonder.

LiSe, you stopped my pulse.

Oracle as 44? Never thought of it that way. Now I will.

Thank you LiSe, Ryder, Candid.

Clove.

[heylise]

Clove,

The butcher does not really know anything, or he makes it easy for himself and does not ever try to give an answer. Even a light reproach towards Eddie.
Duffy looks at the company and chooses mr Machacek to answer his question. So probably that one is the real 'knower'. But he is confused, his feelings are overwhelming him. So his female counterpart takes action, gives the answer and helps mr. Machacek home and find his rest again. Even pays the owner.
Hilary said "substitute 'significance' for Eddie Banks". (BTW, beautiful translation, Hilary!). Who knows the significance. I think mr. Machacek can know it or find it, and for that reason he is disturbed. Maybe scared of it. He is the opposite of the (of a) butcher.
The names are not German. Banks comes from the west, Machacek from the east, Duffy ?? East might mean more right-brain stuff and thinking, west left-brain and soul (sorry for the over-simplification).

Just a number of random thoughts.

LiSe

[dharma]

Ryder,
glad indeed that I could help you make sense of your 'recipe'.

i am no stranger to bibliomancy - i've been doing it for years. and interpreting the answers is very similar, if not exactly the same, to interpreting my nightly dreams.

generally, all books are fair game but i've made a habit of using a dictionary when i want to keep it simple. also, i will often involve another person in the process (if one is around) by asking them to pick a number (depending on the number pages in the book I am using) while I focus on the question that is uppermost in my mind. then i open to the page # that i've been given at random and, with my eyes shut, i then let my finger point out the answer.

in any case, using David's question, "What do I need to know about myself, that I am currently blind to, that will improve my life and the lives of those around me?" here is the passage that i was led to read at this time, which comes from the book "Far Journeys" by by Robert A. Monroe on page 203 -->

(Emotion is the points, the score.)
BB blanked, and I waited for Bill to lay this one out. I would like to know, too.

Bill went on.
(Emotion is what makes the game seem so wild, but it is the game, the one game in which all other games are played. The others feed score to the big game in the form of emotional energy. The big game is to control and develop this emotional energy to its most effective condition, which is vaguely set by us humans as love, until we graduate. The more we score, the more fun it becomes. Most of us here -where you are now- we spend our energy going in to help other humans, however and wherever we can, to improve their score -and so have more fun.)

<CENTER>.....</CENTER>

i had to laugh when i read this
(bibliomancy tends to do this more than any other form of divination, I find)

life is a game and i need to remember to play to win

winning is about enjoying myself (which i hadn't been lately)

i've got to let go of the things that weigh me down so i can feel good again

<CENTER>and who better than good ol' Pooh
digging into a pot of honey
can reflect my sentiments best ...
http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/messages/786/1102.gif</CENTER>

[candid]

love it..

there's a song I sing that helps me turn loose

night is night
and day is bright
in-between may seem to last forever

well then forever it may be
though to me its almost morning
and morning comes only once a day

B

[tashiiij]

Hi Dharma, it's nice to read you back and ready to play. (me + happy +google search).

Hilary and LiSe's work is so lovely here, never understood stichtowhateveritscalled. Now I see a light.

Will be thinking about this. Reminds me of the work of an artist I love, her name is Theresa Hak Kyung Cha; the delicacy and attention she pays to each word. Each word an artifact. Of course!

Really nice reading all of this.

So I chose this, not really stichtowhatever, from her work:


I recall.

She lay there in a polished wooden box.

We chose pine.

It was quiet.

The sun was shining upon her hands.

She was silent.

I spoke to her anyway.


tash.

[yellowblue]

Dharma,

That was awesome.... really getting at the heart of it all... *huge sigh* and *small smile*

Isn't that what draws the heaviness???? Forgetting that it's maya???

I wonder if some never realise that their accumulations (of "wealth" in this life) are treasures laid up that rust and moths destroy... the materialistic... But on the other hand, we are here and have to adapt to an extent...

And Tash, maybe your reading ties in... reaching to what is dead and hoping for (whether we realise it's impossible or not) a response...

Just thoughts,

Deb

[mick]

LiSe,

You said, "I asked the Yi, what about the sun and moon? Hex.9, (lines 2 and 5), changing to 28! Small exceeding to great exceeding."

Presumably it was Hx 62(2,5) changing to 28?

What I find fascinating about this is that the nuclear Hx of Hx 62 is Hx 28. It's as if the Yang energy is growing outwards from the centre.

Next in the sequence would be Hx 28 (1,6) changing to Hx 1.

So perhaps you're moving into a much more outgoing stage in your life? Maybe you can now express your inner power more fully in your outer life?

Best wishes,

Mick