Frequently asked questions

If your question isn't answered here, please get in touch!

Do I need to know the I Ching already?

"Thank you so much for this reading. It is the first one I have ever had done and is very fascinating.

D.Z."
New York,
USA

No, not in the least - not for individual readings nor yet for mentoring. I'll adjust the way I present the reading according to your level of familiarity with the oracle, and I promise not to drown you in jargon. I enjoy working with people who've never heard of the oracle before, just as much as with people who've been consulting it for themselves since before I was born.

What if I want to cast my own hexagrams?

No problem: please do. For phone readings, you can give me a quick call to tell me which hexagrams you've cast. For email readings, there's an optional section of the order form where you can fill in your own reading and thoughts on it. And during mentoring, you can simply email me details of the reading ahead of our weekly call.

How many questions can I ask?

You may be surprised at the amount of information that comes from a single reading - and the number of other questions that get answered along the way. When I'm doing individual readings, I almost always find people feel 'full' of knowledge after a single reading. However, there are situations where it can help to ask a supplementary question - to compare options, for instance - and in these cases you could go for two shorter readings instead of one in-depth. Or you might find that a month's mentoring gives you the time and space you need to sort things out.

If you'd like to get in touch, we can talk about the question or questions that go to the heart of your situation.

I need a reading, but I can't afford one

"I just wanted to let you know how pleased I was with my I Ching consultation. I was very impressed with it and have read it several times and each time I find things become clearer in my mind."
M.Smith, Fife, Scotland

It's been my experience that there are a couple of reasons why we say 'I can't afford it'. One is that we literally do not have that much money after paying for basic necessities; the other is that even though we have the money, we have different priorities for spending it.

So... if you're not sure what priority to give to an I Ching reading - and I agree, it's not easy to categorise - might I suggest you try one and see? Remember, there is a money-back guarantee. This means you can order a reading, or get started with a couple of months of mentoring, and get your money back if you're anything less than delighted with the results.

If you literally don't have the money to order a reading in the first place, then please email me. Every month, I'll do one or two free readings for people who can't pay. Money's meant to help exchange and communication between us; it won't get in the way.

What about phone charges?

Simple: I call you. No long distance charges, no premium rate lines and heart-stopping phone bills... the price you see is all you pay. (And no time limits, either: it's important to me that you should have all the time you need.)

I'd like a full-length phone reading, but I don't have three hours to spare!

"Hilary's insights through the I Ching are awesome. Her perspective makes it immediately clear what to do or how to look at a particular situation. It makes such a difference to have her insights at those very critical times. I consider her clarity and wisdom an asset to understanding my many dilemmas in life!"
Margo Lenmark,
Lenmark Properties

We can arrange to make the two calls on different days: discussing the question for half an hour on Saturday, say, and completing the reading for an hour on Sunday. (Yes, I am available at weekends!)

What about international time differences?

Just tell me your timezone and the times you'd prefer to be called. I work long and flexible hours, so I'll usually be able to accommodate you. If we can't find a time during my waking hours when you're available, there are always email readings.

What kind of record will I have of my reading?

I'll record our conversation(s), so you can listen and familiarise yourself with it whenever and wherever you choose. I can post it to you on CD, or send it as an email attachment or download (which is quicker, of course) - whichever you'd prefer. If you'd also like a chart of the hexagrams involved in your reading, just let me know.

Is it confidential?

Absolutely. Whatever information you share, and your reading itself, is held in confidence, as per Clarity's privacy policy. You have my word I will not share it with anyone.

Is my card secure?

Yes. It's actually more secure than it would be in many ordering situations offline - for instance when you hand your card to a waiter at a restaurant. When placing an order at Clarity, you'll only be asked for your card details once you're on a secure, encrypted web page. In fact, although the experience is seamless, at this point you will have been transferred to a secure payment provider, who specialise in keeping card transactions secure. No system at Clarity ever sees - much less stores - your card details. More information here.