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I Ching Companion: An Answer for Every Question — Tarot Divination

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I Ching Companion: An Answer for Every Question

Name: I Ching Companion: An Answer for Every Question
Price: 11.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781578631308

✍️ Richards, Jill

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$11.95 ~~$14.00~~ Save $2.05 (14%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A study guide and concordance to accompany the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I Ching.

This companion serves as a practical reference tool for individuals using the Princeton University Press edition of the ancient Chinese oracle. Millions cast these hexagrams for answers, yet the unfamiliar imagery can prove difficult to interpret. By indexing key recurring symbols, Richards helps readers trace themes across the text. Students can examine specific terms, historical contexts from the Chou overthrow of the Shang dynasty, and recurring symbolic patterns to build an independent comprehension of the oracle's eternal cycles.

Key Themes

Concordance of primary symbols Ancient Chinese divinatory text Chou and Shang dynasties

Literary Context

The book draws on ancient Chinese divinatory traditions from the era when the Chou dynasty overthrew the Shang dynasty. It addresses the elusive phrases of this ancient oracle to help Western readers better understand its secular and spiritual human themes.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Wilhelm and Baynes' The I Ching · Jill Richards' other interpretive guides · Modern Taoist philosophy texts · Western occult divination manuals

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Tarot & Divination

🏛 Weiser Books 📅 2008 📖 96 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781578631308

Fun Fact

Jill Richards’ companion excels at bringing clarity to the often-dense Wilhelm-Baynes I Ching, acting as a crucial Rosetta Stone for its symbolism. While it won't replace a primary translation, it's essential for anyone serious about deeper study. Beginners might find it too focused on the Wilhelm-Baynes text without a general I Ching introduction. It fills a vital niche for those seeking to truly understand the oracle's poetic yet elusive language.

📝 Description: I Ching Companion: An Answer for Every Question

Published by Weiser Books, Jill Richards offers a study guide designed specifically to accompany the classic Wilhelm-Baynes translation of The I Ching or Book of Changes from Princeton University Press. The ancient Chinese divinatory oracle has lasted for millennia through elusive imagery and phrases that can feel unfamiliar to Western readers. Its underlying stories stem from ancient China, during the historical period when the Chou overthrew the Shang dynasty, reflecting both secular and spiritual human experiences. Richards organizes the volume as a concordance covering the primary symbols found within the Wilhelm-Baynes text. The entries clarify recurring motifs such as to cross the great water, furthering, the four directions, colors, the great man, the inferior man, and the superior man. These entries show how the changes described in the oracle connect through continuous cycles of beginning, conflict, and resolution. This volume suits students and practitioners who cast the I Ching and wish to conduct independent study to gain their own understanding of the text. It does not suit readers looking for a standalone translation, as it is meant to be used directly alongside the Wilhelm-Baynes edition.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Richards provides a meticulous decoding of the Wilhelm-Baynes translation, making it highly valuable for those seeking structure in their study. However, this book does not suit casual browsers or those expecting original philosophical content rather than interpretive aid. It is specifically tailored for individuals already committed to the Wilhelm-Baynes text who struggle with its enigmatic language. Readers looking for a standalone introduction to Taoism without prior commitment to this specific translation may find it too niche and dependent on external texts.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Serious students of the I Ching will find this companion indispensable for navigating its profound depths. Jill Richards acts as a personal tutor, meticulously decoding enigmatic language and rich symbolism that often obscure meaning. By organizing key phrases like 'crossing the great water' or the 'superior man,' she illuminates their interconnectedness within eternal cycles of change. This guide empowers readers to forge a deeper, more personal understanding of timeless lessons, transforming an ancient oracle into an accessible tool for self-discovery and wisdom.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you've grappled with the profound yet perplexing pronouncements of the Wilhelm-Baynes I Ching, this book is for you. It's an indispensable resource for serious students seeking to move beyond surface-level readings and cultivate an intuitive grasp of the oracle's timeless wisdom.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Richards provides a meticulous decoding of the Wilhelm-Baynes translation, making it highly valuable for those seeking structure in their study. However, this book does not suit casual browsers or those expecting original philosophical content rather than interpretive aid. It is specifically tailored for individuals already committed to the Wilhelm-Baynes text who struggle with its enigmatic language. Readers looking for a standalone introduction to Taoism without prior commitment to this specific translation may find it too niche and dependent on external texts.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is a study guide specifically designed to be used alongside the classic Wilhelm-Baynes translation, enriching your understanding of that foundational text.

Its unique strength lies in its meticulous concordance of primary symbols and phrases from the Wilhelm-Baynes text, offering unparalleled clarity on its often-elusive imagery and concepts.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Deciphering Ancient Symbols

This guide systematically breaks down the recurring symbolic language prevalent throughout the I Ching. Richards’ work acts as a concordance, offering clarity on phrases such as 'furthering' or the directional motifs. It helps students connect these elements, allowing for a more nuanced and personal interpretation of the oracle’s often poetic and elusive advice, bridging the gap between ancient Chinese thought and contemporary understanding.

Historical & Cultural Roots

Delve into the historical tapestry woven within the I Ching, tracing its origins to the pivotal Chou dynasty's overthrow of the Shang. The companion highlights how the text, while universal, is steeped in the specific cultural and political narratives of ancient China. Understanding this foundational context enriches one's appreciation of the oracle's wisdom, revealing its layers of historical significance.

Cycles of Human Experience

Explore how the I Ching encapsulates the full spectrum of human existence—from the mundane to the spiritual—through its patterns of beginning, conflict, and resolution. This companion guides you in recognizing these universal cycles within the text's imagery. By understanding the interplay of these forces, readers can apply the oracle's insights to their own journey, fostering growth and self-awareness.

📜 Historical context

The I Ching stands as humanity's most ancient divinatory and philosophical texts, originating in China millennia ago. Its core wisdom revolves around constant change and balancing opposing forces. This companion provides the necessary scaffolding to bridge the chasm between its archaic Chinese origins and modern comprehension, making its timeless insights accessible.

📚 Glossary

To Cross the Great Water
Furthering
Superior Man

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a recent 'crossing of the great water' in your life. How did you approach it, and what wisdom from the I Ching might have guided you?
Consider the concept of the 'superior man.' What qualities would define your 'superior self,' and how can you cultivate them in your daily life?
Choose a hexagram you've cast recently. Using this companion, identify three key symbols within it and explore how their interconnectedness sheds new light on your reading.