I Ching Divination Skill

Overview

The I Ching (易經 / Yì Jīng), or "Book of Changes," is an ancient Chinese divination system dating back over 3,000 years. This skill provides Claude with the knowledge and methodology to perform I Ching consultations using the traditional three-coin method.

Core Principles

What is the I Ching?

The I Ching is a philosophical and divination text based on 64 hexagrams, each composed of six lines. These hexagrams represent archetypal situations and their natural transformations. The system recognizes that:

1. Change is constant - All situations evolve and transform
2. Patterns repeat - Similar circumstances arise in cycles
3. Balance is key - Yin and yang forces seek equilibrium
4. Timing matters - Knowing when to act or wait is crucial

Philosophy

• Non-deterministic: The I Ching doesn't predict fixed outcomes but reveals the nature of the current situation and its potential trajectory
• Advisory: Readings provide guidance and perspective, not commands
• Contextual: Interpretations must be adapted to the specific question and circumstances
• Holistic: Consider all elements—hexagram, lines, changes, and question—as a unified whole

Hexagram Structure

Lines

Each hexagram consists of six lines, read from bottom (Line 1) to top (Line 6):

Line 6  ═══  or  ═ ═   (Top)
Line 5  ═══  or  ═ ═
Line 4  ═══  or  ═ ═
Line 3  ═══  or  ═ ═
Line 2  ═══  or  ═ ═
Line 1  ═══  or  ═ ═   (Bottom)

Line Types:

• ═══ Yang (solid line) - Active, strong, masculine, light, heaven
• ═ ═ Yin (broken line) - Receptive, yielding, feminine, dark, earth

Changing Lines

Lines can be stable or changing:

• Young Yang (7): ═══ - Stable yang, does not change
• Young Yin (8): ═ ═ - Stable yin, does not change
• Old Yang (9): ═══ → ═ ═ - Changing yang, transforms to yin
• Old Yin (6): ═ ═ → ═══ - Changing yin, transforms to yang

Changing lines indicate:

• Points of transformation in the situation
• Areas requiring special attention
• The dynamic movement from present to future

Trigrams

Each hexagram is composed of two trigrams (three-line units):

• Upper Trigram (Lines 4-6): Represents the outer situation, what's visible
• Lower Trigram (Lines 1-3): Represents the inner situation, what's hidden

The Eight Trigrams:

1. ☰ Qián (Heaven) - Creative, strong, father
2. ☷ Kūn (Earth) - Receptive, yielding, mother
3. ☳ Zhèn (Thunder) - Arousing, movement, eldest son
4. ☵ Kǎn (Water) - Abysmal, danger, middle son
5. ☶ Gèn (Mountain) - Stillness, immovable, youngest son
6. ☴ Xùn (Wind) - Gentle, penetrating, eldest daughter
7. ☲ Lí (Fire) - Clinging, clarity, middle daughter
8. ☱ Duì (Lake) - Joyous, pleasure, youngest daughter

Three-Coin Method

Why Three Coins?

The three-coin method is the most common modern I Ching divination technique. It's simpler than the traditional 50 yarrow stalks method while maintaining authentic probability distributions.

The Process

1. Prepare: Focus on a clear, specific question
2. Cast: Throw three coins six times (once for each line)
3. Count: For each throw:
   • Heads = 3
   • Tails = 2
   • Sum the three coins
4. Interpret:
   • 6 (three tails) = Old Yin ═ ═ → ═══ (changing)
   • 7 (two heads, one tail) = Young Yang ═══ (stable)
   • 8 (two tails, one head) = Young Yin ═ ═ (stable)
   • 9 (three heads) = Old Yang ═══ → ═ ═ (changing)
5. Build: Construct hexagram from bottom (Line 1) to top (Line 6)

Probability Distribution

• Young Yang (7): 37.5% probability
• Young Yin (8): 37.5% probability
• Old Yang (9): 12.5% probability
• Old Yin (6): 12.5% probability

This creates a natural bias toward stability (75% stable lines) with significant potential for change (25% changing lines).

Interpretation Method

Step-by-Step Interpretation

1. Primary Hexagram

   • Identify the hexagram number (1-64)
   • Read the Judgment for overall situation
   • Read the Image for symbolic perspective

2. Changing Lines

   • If present, read the specific line text(s)
   • These highlight the most dynamic aspects
   • Multiple changes suggest complex transformation

3. Relating Hexagram

   • If there are changing lines, determine the relating hexagram
   • This shows the future trajectory or outcome
   • Read its Judgment to understand where things are heading

4. Synthesis

   • Integrate all elements into a coherent narrative
   • Apply to the specific question asked
   • Provide both traditional wisdom and contemporary insight

Interpretation Guidelines

DO:

• Ground interpretations in the traditional texts
• Adapt language to contemporary context
• Address the specific question directly
• Acknowledge uncertainty and multiple possibilities
• Emphasize timing and natural flow
• Use metaphor and imagery from the hexagrams

DON'T:

• Make absolute predictions
• Ignore changing lines
• Contradict the traditional text
• Insert personal biases
• Oversimplify complex situations
• Provide generic fortune-cookie wisdom

Handling Multiple Changing Lines

• No changing lines: Situation is stable, focus on primary hexagram
• One changing line: Clear focal point, read that line specifically
• Two-three changing lines: Complex transition, synthesize line meanings
• Four-five changing lines: Major upheaval, emphasize relating hexagram
• Six changing lines: Complete transformation, special interpretation

Question Formulation

Good Questions

The quality of the reading depends on the quality of the question.

Characteristics of good questions:

• Specific: "Should I accept this job offer?" not "What about my career?"
• Present-focused: "What is the nature of this situation?" not "What will happen in 10 years?"
• Process-oriented: "How should I approach this?" not "Will I succeed?"
• Open to guidance: Genuinely seeking insight, not confirmation

Examples:

• ✅ "What should I know about starting this new business venture?"
• ✅ "How can I best navigate this conflict with my partner?"
• ✅ "What is the nature of this opportunity I'm considering?"
• ❌ "Will I be rich?" (too vague, future-focused)
• ❌ "Should I do X or Y?" (too binary, better for open exploration)

AI-Enhanced Interpretation

Combining Traditional and Modern

When performing an I Ching reading:

1. Use the traditional texts from references/external/iching-hexagrams.md
2. Apply contemporary language to make wisdom accessible
3. Contextualize the reading to the modern situation
4. Synthesize multiple elements into coherent guidance

Personalization

• Consider the querent's specific circumstances
• Use language and metaphors appropriate to their context
• Address their actual concerns, not generic interpretations
• Balance ancient wisdom with practical modern advice

Tone

• Respectful: Honor the tradition and the querent's question
• Thoughtful: Provide depth, not superficial fortune-telling
• Balanced: Acknowledge both challenges and opportunities
• Empowering: Focus on agency and choice, not fatalism

Reading Format

Structure of a Complete Reading

═══════════════════════════════════════
I CHING READING
Date: [timestamp]
═══════════════════════════════════════

Question: [User's question]

Primary Hexagram: #[number] - [Chinese Name] ([English Name])
[Hexagram diagram]

[If changing lines:]
Changing Lines: Line [n], Line [m]
[Specific line interpretations]

[If relating hexagram:]
Relating Hexagram: #[number] - [Chinese Name] ([English Name])
[Hexagram diagram]

═══════════════════════════════════════
TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION
═══════════════════════════════════════

Judgment: [Traditional text from database]

Image: [Traditional text from database]

[If changing lines:]
Line [n]: [Traditional line text]
Line [m]: [Traditional line text]

═══════════════════════════════════════
PERSONALIZED READING
═══════════════════════════════════════

[AI-synthesized interpretation that:
- Addresses the specific question
- Integrates primary hexagram meaning
- Incorporates changing line wisdom
- Shows trajectory to relating hexagram (if applicable)
- Provides practical, actionable insight
- Maintains respectful, thoughtful tone]

═══════════════════════════════════════

Common Hexagram Themes

Understanding Key Concepts

Creative (1) vs Receptive (2)

• The fundamental polarity of yang and yin
• Active initiation vs responsive adaptation
• Know when to lead and when to follow

Difficulty (3, 39, 47)

• Obstacles are natural and temporary
• Perseverance and patience required
• Seek help when needed

Waiting (5) vs Action (24, 25)

• Timing is everything
• Sometimes action, sometimes patience
• Trust the natural rhythm

Conflict (6) vs Peace (11)

• Discord can be resolved through understanding
• Harmony requires effort to maintain
• Balance opposing forces

Progress (35) vs Retreat (33)

• Advance when the time is favorable
• Withdraw when prudence demands
• Both are necessary movements

Change (49) vs Constancy (32)

• Transformation is sometimes necessary
• Stability provides foundation
• Know what to change and what to preserve

Skill Usage

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be invoked when:

• User types /iching [question]
• User asks for I Ching consultation
• User requests divination or oracle guidance

What This Skill Provides

1. Complete hexagram database - All 64 hexagrams with traditional texts
2. Three-coin method simulation - Authentic probability distribution
3. Interpretation framework - How to synthesize readings
4. Best practices - Question formulation, reading structure, tone

Integration with /iching Command

The /iching command handles:

• Accepting user questions
• Simulating coin tosses
• Building hexagrams
• Calculating changes
• Formatting output
• Saving to journal

This skill provides:

• Hexagram meanings and texts
• Interpretation methodology
• Traditional wisdom
• Synthesis guidance

Ethics and Responsibility

Divination as Guidance

• The I Ching is a tool for reflection and insight, not fortune-telling
• Readings should empower choice, not remove agency
• No guarantees or absolute predictions should be made
• Users are responsible for their own decisions

When to Decline

• Do not perform readings about harm to others
• Do not make medical, legal, or financial predictions
• Do not use I Ching for trivial or disrespectful questions
• Redirect users to appropriate professionals when needed

Respect for Tradition

• Honor the ancient wisdom while making it accessible
• Acknowledge the cultural and historical significance
• Don't trivialize or mock the practice
• Maintain the philosophical depth

Resources

Primary Reference

All hexagram texts, judgments, images, and line interpretations are in: /home/dazman/shocks-ehcp/.claude/skills/iching/references/external/iching-hexagrams.md

Further Study

For deeper understanding:

• Wilhelm/Baynes translation (classic English version)
• Blofeld translation (accessible modern version)
• Huang's I Ching (scholarly interpretation)
• The I Ching Workbook by R.L. Wing (practical guide)

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Summary

This skill enables Claude to perform authentic I Ching consultations using the three-coin method, providing readings that combine ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance. Use the traditional texts as foundation, apply thoughtful interpretation, and help users gain insight into their questions.

Remember: The I Ching is not about predicting the future, but understanding the present and recognizing the patterns of change. Every reading is an invitation to deeper awareness and wiser action.