The priestesses of the Goddess were the original astronomers and astrologers delving into the mysteries of the Celestial Universe. Known as Moon Watchers, their rituals accurately divined the most auspicious moments for major events and when to perform ceremony. Xin Divination stems from the seat of the intelligence of the heart; the heart in Taoist philosophy and Chinese Medicine is considered a sacred vessel connected to the Water element, seat of the Philosopher. Winter also represents Water which is a time of self-recollection and thus we are using the energy of this season to discover our true essence. The Yijing and other Oracles connect us in a deeply profound way as intermediaries to assist us along the path of life.
Jung called them the presence of “daimones,” whom he considered the “architects of dreams and symbols.” One can label them spirits, Gods, whatever one chooses; we use them to describe the trigrams of Change. The YiJing was one of the most important psychological instruments that Jung used in his practice. In this in-between place, which is the crossing (Yao), we bring clarity to issues, questions, frustrations and difficulties of the inquirer and supply answers for proposed transformation in the present moment.
The Oracle is a very powerful divinatory tool with over 3000+ years of results. It connects our sensitivity to the oracular presence with the elements deep within our consciousness, the unseen in life and nature, and our willingness to change direction. We are dealing with what Jung called, “the matrix of “mythopoetic imagination” which he related to in his theory of archetypes and synchronicity and much of this connection has vanished greatly due to our rational, mobile, internet age.
Richard Smith has found in his research that “…Early Daoists and early Confucians alike ascribed to the mind extraordinary powers, including the capacity not only to “foreknow” events (xianzhi 先知), but also to both understand and become one with the Way (Dao 道) of nature itself. The process of developing these capacities involved cultivating one’s qi 氣 (“vital energy”) and “vital essence” (jing 精), thus manifesting the mind’s “spiritual capacities” (shen 神 or lingshen 靈神)…The Yijing has long had an explicitly psychological dimension, not only as a divinatory instrument but also as a means of achieving self-awareness and self-understanding.”
Harold Roth stated that: “The numinous [i.e. spiritual] essence might be thought of as the interface between the sentient and insentient, or the psychological and physical. It is a blend of both aspects and thus appropriate for a world view that did not strongly value such boundaries.” (Roth 1991, 645-46)
For us in our modern age the Yijing is a tool of self-knowledge and in-depth reflection. To consult with the Yijing & other divinatory tools, it is pertinent to ask direct, specific questions as a vague inquiry will not be answered directly and could create confusion. Suggested beginnings to inquiries are: “What, When and Where,” and it is important to give yourself time to sit with the question before the divination as some nuances may appear that might have been hidden.
Working with someone steeped in the art of Divination helps one to bring further clarity to pertinent issues, helps you to formulate your questions more effectively and assists in the interpretation of the answer. Studying the meaning, noticing the existing patterns, learning to “go with the flow” and to let go are all important aspects of this art of divination. Always remember it’s all about the chi!
As we enter the ‘mind of the Way’ together may Bright Spirit/Shen Ming, bring intuitive clarity into your present dilemma.
