Introduction

China is a land steeped in magical belief. From as long ago as 1600 BCE, divination, wizards, and alchemists were documented in ancient Chinese writings.  Psychic powers, evil spirits, potions and spells permeated daily life. The Chinese Zodiac was, and is, wildly popular. Astrologers were sought out to give answers to all kinds of questions as well as advice. Magicians were also welcome in the palace, and illusionists created reality-defying shows.

I-Ching

I Ching is commonly translated as The Book of Changes and is primarily used as a divinatory text both in ancient Chinese history and present day. Believed to be created as far back as 1600 BCE and no later than 800 BCE, it is one of the oldest texts still in use today. The book contains 64 chapters, each chapter commenting a hexagram which is a symbol composed of six horizontal lines arranged over one another either with a solid line (yin) or broken line (yang). Each hexagram has a name assigned to it which denotes a situation of which the hexagram is a symbol. Loosely speaking, the I Chingdescribes every possible life situation and prescribes a particular description of what is most likely to happen next.

One of the goals of using the I Ching is to align yourself more closely with the divine powers and their pre-etched path of fate. By taking the best possible actions and the best possible time you greatly improve your changes for happiness and success.

The I Ching is a totally self-contained divinatory system, requiring no additional or specialized knowledge on the part of the inquirer, which has lent to its ease of use. Kings, generals and lay people alike consulted the I Ching for matters important and mundane. Its continued use is testimony to the life benefit of this ancient magical practice.