The I Ching as Plot Device Hex 58 to 21

[AnitaS]

I find t intriguing that Philip K Dick used the I Ching as a plot device to write his novel The Man in the High Castle. Does anyone know anything about this? I'm toying with the idea of doing the same. Maybe throw for every chapter and use that as inspiration. Certainly some of the hexagram lines do seem plot-like.

So I asked what if I use the Yi to plot my novel and got hex 58 lines 2, 5 and 6 changing to 21.

Can anyone throw light on this? Should I go ahead? An I Ching expert told me that if there are more than 2 lines moving, to read the judgment.

Thank you!

 

[ginnie]

Well, Alfred Huang says if there are three lines moving, read the middle one only. It turns out that the middle one in this case is 58.5, putting your faith in something which is beginning to crumble away, or trusting in usurpers. I really don't understand that one. What is disintegrating? Who are the usurpers? Also, line 58.6 has often been interpreted as being attracted to something which should not attract the junzi, who has (or should have) higher standards. So the I Ching seems to be saying NOT to go ahead with that idea.

 

[AnitaS]

Thanks Ginnie. Yes indeed, what is disintegrating? Doesn't make sense in any context. It seems line 6 refers to the other, not to the querent and also goes into 57.

 

[moss elk]

I have enjoyed reading several of PKD's stories, some have characterised him as a genius, prophetic even, certainly influential.
PKD speaks of himself in some of his works: his Schizophrenia and heavy amphetamine use.
i remember one of his books where he wrote about being questioned by authorities about a bomb explosion in his home. Iirc, he gave a list of three possible suspects: the CIA, the Vatican, or possibly Phillip k Dick.
wowzers. His mind was so scrambled he could not discern if he did it or not.

Just giving some background, maybe it will help to understand the reading.

 

[ginnie]

Yes indeed, what is disintegrating? Doesn't make sense in any context.

I would ask that question of Yi itself and see what it has to say. Maybe I would say something like, "Please clarify that line 58.5 I just got." Or, "What is disintegrating?"

 

[rosada]

I write a blog each week (psychicsnotebook.blogspot.com if you care to read it ) and have on occasion asked the I Ching for inspiration. The results haven't been consistent so I when I look at 58.2.5.6 and apply it to your question I read it as meaning you might have a hard time with trying to create a book out of a new hexagram for each chapter. You might find the inspiration, clarity, strong at the beginning but not strong, focused by the end. But hey, why not try it? You may find just one hexagram gives you inspiration for an entire book or maybe just for the title but that's enough to 21. Bite Through any writer's block and then off you go!

rosada

 

[AnitaS]

Thanks Moss Elk - that's fascinating.

 

[AnitaS]

Hi Rosada

Many thanks for this. Whatever the end result, I can learn more about the I Ching this way. For instance, the Yi suggests hex 24 for chapter 1 and after much mulling I realised that the Turning Point is usually a dramatic enough place from which to start. Some crisis from overindulgence and my protagonist is drawn back to her Path. I'm thinking: Keeper of the Flame in a Temple in Atlantis, befriended by the Priestess but not the Priestess herself. That's a very interesting blog - maybe I should write the first lines/chapter (much research first) on May 15!

 

[rosada]

Circe,
Now we'll all want to read it! You could post your writings here as you go…

Thanks for kind words about my blog. For anyone who's curious, circe was referring to the fact that this week I've written about the line up of planets coming up on Thursday afternoon, May 15. It's a particularly positive one for making new friends and launching new projects. The Moon will be in Sagittarius - particularly auspicious for writing and publishing!

 

[1eleven]

Interesting thread. I just received this same casting for the question, "What service can I provide others?"

Maybe I'm the answer to your novel

 

[1eleven]

Interesting thread. I just received this same casting for the question, "What service can I provide others?"

Maybe I'm the answer to your novel