Common Forms of IChing - Sticks
The two most common forms of Chinese IChing are Sticks and Coins.
The sticks are wooden or bamboo which is normally kept in Chinese
temples above peoples heads; so anyone who is looking for advice can use
them and ask the gods for advice through them! The reason for them being
on a shelf is so that they are closer to the gods and further away from
the mundane world below. Normally when someone uses these sticks they
will spread a special cloth that is used solely for the purpose of
readings on a table to provide a clean, spiritual and special area;
rather like an alter. After this three incense//joss sticks are usually
lit as a prayer or offering to the gods. The vase which the bamboo
sticks are kept within is gently shaken until three sticks rise out. The
three sticks that rise the highest are selected and taken out. If the
sum of the sticks is an odd number then an unbroken line is written down
on the paper. If the sum is even then a solid line is drawn; thus giving
us the Yin and the Yang answers. This is a procedure and method of
reading that takes a long time.
