Yes or No ?

[canislulu]

It seems to me that when people are "asking" Yi they often are seeking a "yes, do this" or a "no, don't do that" answer. Of course Yi does not answer that way --- although it is possible to see and answer that way --- as "yes, do that because it will lead to good fortune" or "no, do not do that! Pitfall!"

It seems there was another thread like this somewhere -- so perhaps this is "here we go again".

Anyway --- If the question was "What if I do X?" And the casting was "7.2.5 < 16."
How would you see the answer?

As, "Yes, because...."
Or, "No, because...."

Or would a diviner need to consider the details of the context of the question before answering? Might the context give the reader a bias of such a context based on their own experience, values, etc?

I have asked two/three questions in this thread and will hear answers to any of them

 

[1eleven]

It CAN answer like that... Plum Blossom is perfect for this.

 

[Trojina]

Anyway --- If the question was "What if I do X?" And the casting was "7.2.5 < 16."
How would you see the answer?

As, "Yes, because...."
Or, "No, because...."

I'd see that as neither yes or no since since there is a definite 'if' in 7.5 isn't there ? Not an 'if' exactly but a 'when' in Hilary's translation

The fields have game.
Fruitful to speak of capture - no mistake.
When the elder son leads the army,
And younger son carts corpses - constancy, pitfall.

...at least I think there's an 'if' there.

Anyway the cast looks a bit like an attempt to (7) realise a vision (16). It looks like it might be realised if perhaps the advice in 7.5 is implemented....?

Often answers boil down broadly to a yes or no but if we only wanted a definite yes or no we could toss a coin as easily as consult Yi to get that.