I Ching: the Book of Changes, is the oldest of the Chinese texts. The philosophy behind it centers on the dynamic balance of opposites, the evolution of events as a process, acceptance of the inevitability of change.
Fu His, the sage to whom the I Ching is attributed, constructed 64 figures of 6 linear lines, either undivided or divided, stacked one above the other. Following the law of eternal change, the lines are always in motion, in time to the rhythm of the universal heartbeat, mirroring the universe itself. The 64 figures represent every conceivable condition in heaven and on earth with their six stages of evolution:
• About to come into being
• Beginning
• Expanding
• Approaching maximum potential
• Peaking
• Passing its peak and turning toward its opposite condition.
Legend states that Fu Hsi found 8 trigrams on the shell of a tortoise, and from these 8 trigrams or a stack of three lines, he derived the 64 line hexagram figures.
The 64 hexagrams are titled:
Creative, Receptive, Initial Difficulty, Youthful Inexperience, Waiting, Conflict, The Army, Union, Small Restraint, Treading Carefully, Peace, Stagnation, Fellowship with Men, Abundance, Humility, Harmony, Following, Arresting Decay, Approach, Contemplation, Biting Through, Adornment, Falling Apart, Returning, Correctness, The Great Taming Force, Nourishment, Excess, The Perilous Pit, The Clinging, Influence, Perseverance, Retreat, The Power of the Great, Progress, Darkening of the Light, The Family, Disunion, Arresting Movement, Removing Obstacles, Decrease, Increase, Removing Corruption, Encountering, Gathering Together, Ascending, Oppression, A Well, Revolution, The Caldron, Exciting Power, Arresting Movement, Gradual Progress/Growth, The Marrying Maiden, Prosperity, Traveling Stranger, Gentle Penetration, Joy/Pleasure, Dispersion, Regulation/Restraining, Inmost Sincerity, Small Excesses, After Completion, Before Completion.
The I Ching energies are available to be included on your Medicine Bundle. One of the hexagrams will test to be your guiding/guardian principle for the coming months. I will draw it on the front of your Bundle for it to cast its energies upon you.
