---o--- ☞ -----

[mollies]

Dear Teachers,

Trying to think with someone else's head, where nothing is obvious.... I am looking for different ways to explain the 'counting'.

So I like to know how YOU would explain - from beginning to end - to somebody who does not know much yet about the Yi, and who does not know for sure what is (old or young) Yin or Yang,

H O W T O C O U N T W H E N C A S T I N G T H E C O I N S .

(So - it is not my question How Do You Do It,

.... but: Please give examples on You Would YOU Explain It?)

(You may also see this as an exercise to empty your head)

Thank you!



Carin

 

[rodaki]

hi Carin,

just a fellow-student here, but I'm not sure I get the question . . don't know if others do . .

rodaki

 

[yiha]

Short explanation on how to count

OK, I'll give it a try :bows:



Head = 3 = Yang
Tail = 2 = Yin

You can cast 3x head (xxx) that is 9 ☞ --o--
You can cast 3x tail (- - -) that is 6 ☞ --x--

You can cast 1x head - that is 7 (x - -) ☞ -----
You can cast 1x tail - that is 8 (- x x) ☞ -- --


Could it be even shorter and clearer?

 

[Sparhawk]

(You may also see this as an exercise to empty your head)

Thank you!



Carin

Hi Carin,

If I empty my head anymore I'll start hearing echoes. The spiderwebs inside is the only thing that give a clue about my head ever being occupied.

Not sure what you exact question is either (do you need to explain a newbie what Old/Young lines are?) but I'll suggest the following:

1. We are dealing with two faces of a coin and two numbers, 2 and 3. Assign a value to each side and stick to it.
2. Throw the coins.
3. Add the numbers!

A total of 6 is a Changing Yin
A total of 7 is a static Yang
A total of 8 is a static Yin
A total of 9 is a Changing Yang

​

That's all there's to it. What comes next is the fun part...

Best,

 

[hollis]

If I empty my head anymore I'll start hearing echoes. The spiderwebs inside is the only thing that give a clue about my head ever being occupied.

ha. as if. anyone around here would believe that luis. 'don't mind me i'm just one gray cell.'

 

[Sparhawk]

Actually, I have one bruised nerve left in my body and people keeps stepping on it...

 

[mollies]

Difficult question

Thanks Luis and YiHa.

It is - as always - so NO EASY to express oneself! I thought my question was clear, but no... Sorry.
You see, I am making a small Yi booklet, with simple 'instructions for use'. For those that always find it difficult how to count when they are throwing the coins.

I have about six books about I Ching, and they all explain this in their own way. Too Many Words!
Still I am looking for the ultimate model.
It should be a short, an EXACT and a complete description of how to count the coins, in order to make those six lines, that make a hexagram. Short and clear.

Your answers are getting very close to what I am looking for. But still not complete. You know how things work. One word wrong or missing can lead to great misunderstandings!

I think I can combine Luis and YiHa. So far:

1. You need three coins and throw them six times to make a hexagram.

2. We are dealing with head and tails, and give them numbers, 3 and 2.
Usually the head is used for yang and the tails for yin.
Stick to the value you assigne to each face.

3. Add the numbers and draw the lines. The first line is the bottom line of a hexagram.

A total of 6 is a Changing Yin ☞ --x--
A total of 7 is a static Yang ☞ -----
A total of 8 is a static Yin ☞ -- --
A total of 9 is a Changing Yang --o--

Thinking it over...

Carin

 

[heylise]

I never use numbers. They need a different part of my brains than the reading, and I rather leave that part out of it.

Beginning is the same, about sticking to the yang and yin you assign. And of course about starting with the bottom line.
But then:
3 yang ☞ --o--
1 yang ☞ -----
3 yin ☞ --x--
1 yin ☞ -- --

LiSe

 

[mollies]

This is it

"LiSe: I never use numbers. They need a different part of my brains than the reading, and I rather leave that part out of it."

Wonderful to think in that way! I do feel much more at ease in the reading brains; no confusion there.
So my choice is clear now.

This is nice, and short! I leave all the other possibilities out. After all, too many choices do not make it easier. No numbers.


1. To make a hexagram you need three coins and throw them six times .

2. Head is yang, tails is yin.

3. Start with the bottom line.

3 yang ☞ --o--
1 yang ☞ -----
3 yin ☞ --x--
1 yin ☞ -- --