Reading service FAQ

Why aren't readings always available?

Giving readings – full, deep-dive readings that really do justice to the Yijing and the person asking the question, the kind of reading I enjoy – takes a lot of energy. Some years ago, I used to have the ‘open’ sign up all the time, all year round, and I became so exhausted I actually stopped giving readings altogether for over a year.

So nowadays I’m much more cautious: I’m only sometimes open, and only for a limited number of people. I’m finding this works well, and I have the time and energy I need to dedicate to each reading and client.

Do I need to know the I Ching already?

No, not at all.

I will ask you to cast your own reading, just so there’s no doubt in your mind at all that it is your reading. But you don’t need any prior knowledge to do this: you can simply use the online I Ching here at Clarity, where you just click a button to cast your hexagram. (Or if you prefer, I’ll walk you through casting a hexagram with three coins. It’s remarkably quick and easy – only takes a few minutes.)

How many questions can I ask?

I’d recommend you ask just one. We’ll spend our opening call discovering that core question.

Asking a single, carefully-chosen question lends focus and clarity to the reading. It’s been my experience that an answer to a single core question sometimes answers other questions at the same time. So… it makes sense to ask a single question, spend time with the reading, and then see whether there are other things to ask.

If you do want to ask a follow-up question, we can discuss it during one of our ‘integration’ calls.

I can't afford your rates

I find there are a couple of reasons why I say ‘I can’t afford it’. One is that I literally don’t have that much money after paying for basic necessities; the other is that even though I have the money, I 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 an unconditional guarantee: if you’re not profoundly helped by the experience, if you feel your money could have been better spent, you can simply reclaim it – and spend it better.

And if you just don’t have the funds for a reading, there are still ways I can help you:

I wrote a book with an in-depth introduction to conversation with the I Ching, along with the core of my ideas on each hexagram and line. That’s a good place to start. (Actually, you can get free access to some excerpts from its text via Clarity’s free online I Ching.)
Change Circle is a private community whose members help one another out with readings. I’m a regular participant there, though the other members are so helpful you probably won’t need me.
If you’re looking just for insight and a fresh perspective rather than a full, in-depth reading, you might prefer an I Ching chat.
If you’re stuck, please do get in touch with me, and hopefully we can work something out.

Is this confidential?

Yes.

To help me be of better service, I may discuss your reading in confidence with my own close support network. I will only ever do so anonymously, and will never disclose any personally identifiable details about your situation.

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, either Paypal or Worldpay: big, resourceful firms, specialists in keeping card details secure. No system at Clarity ever sees – much less stores – your card details.

Clients’ comments

The volume of information was just right as I felt I got most of the answers or rather guidance I was looking for.

I felt extremely involved with the reading as whatever doubts I had during the call, you gave nice examples to explain them. Not only that the background to each hexagram and trigram, the history behind it was really helpful to understand the larger picture.”

Tanya Raj

…I appreciated your time and explanations, your personal examples and how you related to it and again I felt like you helped me make sense out of what I was trying to say and expanded on it. Although you sent me the recording I have not listened to it but am very glad I have it and want to go back to it after more time has passed.

I appreciated your willingness to answer my questions when I was confused by terminology like “feudal Lords” and your explanations were clear. I felt very involved in the reading in that you asked for my response and built on what I said. I believe this is one of your strengths and appreciate your intuition and insight. You were calm and reassuring which was very helpful.”

Cathy Rumschlag

The reading was simply perfect and the timing was also perfect for where I was at that point in life. Thank you for opening this new door for me. The world of I Ching is very rich and there are many messages and powerful images. The reading has helped me bring to surface and acknowledge things I was not completely sure of.”

Indrani

Hilary – Hi —

Thank you so much for the reading/interpretation. It was a wonderful experience, because after all the years I’ve spent trying to understand the oracle, I truly have only been basing my interpretations on others’ interpretations (which is not totally a bad thing). I have never looked at the hexagram symbolism and never given much thought on what the symbolism meant back from the time the oracle was composed/ compiled/ devised/ written…

This has enriched my understanding of how the oracle works. I have never applied that component into my readings. It made a world of difference and provided a tremendous level of depth into the interpretation. Personal insight to me that I will try to apply going forward.

My experience with you was absolutely wonderful. Caring, knowledgeable, professional and deeply connected to the oracle. I could not ask nor expect anything more. It was a very good experience.

Thank you Hilary, dear guide and friend.”

Carole van Orden