I Ching, Chinese "Astrology"?
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The significance of "patterns" in Hindu Astrology and Chinese Astrology was
pointed out earlier, as also the tendency of especially the Hindu Astrology
to alter the configurations of natal and relationship charts - e.g.,
"Harmonics," discussed earlier. (Any astrologic technique - Local Space... -
that alters the basic "given" of a chart should be vehemently rejected.) The
problem with I Ching, the Chinese Astrology, is the complexity of patterns -
they are the most ponderous in astrology. Their complexity makes them also
fuzzy. Depending on where one's mood and imagination roams at a particular
time, many of the patterns can be interpreted - i.e., biased - in a
multiplicity of ways. They have certain "meanings" in the short-term, other
interpretations in the long-term. In either case, they read like riddles. I
suggest that, given the "practical" bent of the Western mind, there is a real
possibility that the implied influences will be misinterpreted, or "twisted"
to fit a bias.
Western Astrology is superior to both Hindu Astrology and I Ching: the
variables are much more tangible, and feedback from real experiences is much
easier to ascertain. Moreover, although I Ching is known as "astrology,"
planets do not play any role in I Ching. Everything is based on hexagrams
derived from date, time, and place of birth. A brief introduction to I Ching
follows.
The astrology of I Ching is derived from an ancient work titled "Ho Map Lo
Map Rational Number." I Ching evolved into astrology during the Ming
dynasty, presumably incorporating teachings of Shao Yung (1011-1077). (It is
also possible that his name was used to add credibility to the ideas.) There
are actually three schools of astrology associated with I Ching: 1) Astrology
of I Ching, 2) The Nine House Astrology, and 3) "Iron Plate Divine Number."
Of these, the first is said to be the most complete and comprehensive.
Chinese scholars believed that two types of forces acted on all living
organisms: 1) cosmic or celestial, and 2) forces generated by the earth. The
cosmic influences were divided into five elements of wood, fire, earth,
metal, and water, the sequence determined by the way these elements interact
with one another. The five elements are associated with positive qualities -
designated by letters A to E - and negative qualities - denoted by letters F
to J. In turn, the forces generated by the earth are categorized into 12
"Earthy Branches," also referred to as "Horary Branches," where "horary" is a
term borrowed from Western astrology. They are coded by letters "a" through
"l." The ten cosmic (positive and negative) elements are matched with the 12
earthy branches to produce "sexagenary cycles," designated by "Aa," "Bb..."
"Ak," "Bl," etc. There are 60 steps between two succeeding "Aa" cycles. The
Chinese concept of "time" attributes to (time) cycles both positive and
negative -complementary rather than opposing - qualities. The interaction
between the two qualities, at any given moment, plays a vital role.
The combination of cosmic and earthly influences is unique for a particular
date. The years are divided into 12 months. The astrologic year begins with
the winter solstice, in the middle of the eleventh month. The earthly
influences follow Horary patterns of 12 two-hour periods each day. The phase
designated by "a" covers the two-hour period from 11 pm - when the "Yang"
forces begin to dominate - to 1 am. The Yang forces dominate during the
period from 11 pm to 11 am. The "Yin" hours begin at 11 am. The first Yin
phase is designated by "g." The Yin-Yang forces for days and years parallel
each other in the cycle of events.
The years, months, days, hours, and minutes of "date of birth" are associated
with the interaction of the 12 cosmic forces "A" through "J," and earthly
forces "a" through "l." Each combination of cosmic and earthly forces are
also associated with numbers. The sum of these numbers yields a natal or
"Pre-Haven" hexagram that contains a "controlling" Yin or Yang line. This
forms the basis for natal (or the ascending phase of life) predictions.
There are also "Later Heaven" hexagrams corresponding to the descending phase
of life. The lines in the two hexagrams also govern shorter cycles. A Yin
line controls a period of six years, a Yang line nine years. Predictions, or
"karma," are based upon the interaction of the lines in the two hexagrams. I
Ching stresses the importance of free-will in overcoming or modifying the
forces of "karma."
The following example illustrated how these concepts interact with one
another to produce a "planet-less" natal hexagram.
Steps Sirman
1.Clock date, time 7/15/42, 6 pm Istanbul, Turkey
.Exact Time 5:56 pm at 28E58,41N01
2.Yearly Cycle Number 19
Note: The years are sorted in 60-year intervals into "Upper Cycle" (e.g.,
1864-1923), "Middle Cycle" (e.g., 1924-1983), and "Lower Cycle" (e.g.,
1984-2043). The starting year of each cycle is "1." Thus, the "yearly
cycle" number for 1942 - in middle cycle - is (1942-1924+1) 19 - shown
above.
3.Sexagenary Cycle Ig+
Note: The yearly numbers vary from 1 to 60. "1" corresponds to sexagenary
cycle "Aa+," 2 to "Bb-," 3 to "Cc+," 10 to "Jj-," 11 to "Ak+," 12 to "Bl-
," 13 to "Ca+..." 60 to "Jl-." Thus, the 19 for 1942 is represented by
"Ig+." (Note the sequence of the cosmic A-J and earthly a-l.)
4.Cosmic Stem-1 6
Note: "A" corresponds to "6," B to 2, C to 8, D to 7, E to 1, F to 9, G
to 5, H to 4, I to 6, and J to 2. Thus, the "I" in "Ig" - for the yearly
cycle 19 in Step 3 - corresponds to 6.
Horary Branch 2 and 7
Combine 6; 2,7 <- for 1942: used later
Note: "a" corresponds 1 and 6, b to 5 and 10, c and d to 3 and 8, e to 5
and 10, f and g to 2 and 7, h to 5 and 10, i and j to 4 and 9, k to 5 and
10, and l to 1 and 6. Thus, the "g" in "Ig" - for the yearly cycle 19 in
Step 3 -corresponds to 2 and 7. The cosmic stem is combined with the
horary branch as "6; 2,7" shown above. This combination is for 1942, the
year of birth.
5.Season:Monthly Cycle 6th month <- July 15
Note: The 24 seasons begin with the 12th month covering the period
(approximately) January 5 to January 20 (16:37 GMT), and January 20 to
February 4 (10:59 am GMT); 1st: 2/4 (11am) to 2/19 (6:50), and 2/19 (6:51)
to 3/6 (5:06)... 6th: 7/7 (17:59) to 7/23 (11:20), and 7/23 to 8/8
(3:45)... Thus, July 15 - the day of birth - is in the 6th month (the
season of "Slight Heat").
6.Combined Symbol Dh+
Note: The cosmic stems are now combined with monthly Horary Branches.
Starting with the month of December, for years represented by A and F, B
and G, C and H, D and I, and E and J, the symbols are respectively Aa, Ca,
Ea, Ga, and Ia. The corresponding symbols for January are: Bb, Db, Fb,
Hb, and Jb. For July the symbols are: Hh, Jh, Bh, Dh (above), and Fh.
Similarly, for October they are: Ak, Ck, Ek, Gk (above), and Ik. (Note
how the letters increase month-to-month.) Since the sexagenary cycle
(year) is "I" in Step-3, the symbol for July is "Dh." The "+" is carried
over from Step-3.
7.Cosmic Stem-2 7; 5,10 <- for July (15)
Note: This repeats the procedure in Step-4 for Dh in Step-6.
8.Day and Month Number 15
Note: The cycle numbers begin with 0 for January 1 so that the number for
January 31 is 30; for February 1 it is 31, for March 1 it is 59, and for
March 2 it is 60. On March 3 the numbers begin from 1 - not 0. "1" is
added for February 29 on leap years. Thus for July 15 - birthday - the
number is 15 shown above.
9.Daily Cycle Number 51 <- day in middle cycle
Note: The determination of the daily cycle number is an arduous process.
For the Upper cycle mentioned in Step-2, the daily cycle number is 2 for
year 1864, it is 16 for 1924 (start of Middle cycle), and 31 for 1984
(start of Lower cycle). Since 1942 - year of birth - is in the Middle
cycle, let us focus on that period. Starting from 16 (for 1924), the
number for 1925 is 22. The 22 is obtained as follows: add 366 (in 1924)
days to 16 (for 1924) to obtain 382. The 382 contains 6 times 60-day
cycles. Therefore, the difference (382 - 360) is 22. Similarly, the
number for 1941 is 46, for 1942 is 51 (above). That is: add 365 (days in
1941) to 46 to obtain 411. Subtract (6 times 60 cycles) 360 from 411 to
obtain 51 shown above.
10.Relative Number: Steps (8 + 9) 15 + 51 = 66 - 60 = 6
Note: This measure of day is a "relative" number that takes into account
the year, the season (month), and also the position of "day of birth" in
the middle cycle.
11.Sexagenary Cycle Ff-
Note: This procedure repeats Step-3. The number "6" in Step-10
corresponds sexagenary cycle "Ff-" shown above. That is, the daily
numbers vary from 1 to 60. "1" corresponds to sexagenary cycle "Aa+," 2
to "Bb-," 3 to "Cc+," 10 to "Jj-," 11 to "Ak+," 12 to "Bl-," 13 to
"Ca+..." 60 to "Jl-."
12.Cosmic Stem-3 9; 2,7 <- for day, used later
Note: See Steps 4 and 7.
13.Hourly Cosmic Cycle Jj <- for 5:56 pm
Note: This is similar to Step-6. The hourly cosmic stems are combined
with daily horary branches (Step-11). The cycle starts with the period
from midnight to 1 am. It continues by two-hour intervals. For days
(Step-11) represented by A and F, B and G, C and H, D and I, and E and J,
the symbols are respectively Aa, Ca, Ea, Ga, and Ia. The corresponding
symbols for 1 am to 3 am are: Bb, Db, Fb, Hb, and Jb. Similarly, for 5 pm
to 7 pm - hour of birth - the symbols are: Jj (above), Bj, Dj, Fj, and Hj.
(Note the sequence of the letters month-to-month.) Since the sexagenary
cycle (day) is "F" in Step-11, the symbol for 5:56 pm is "Jj."
14.Cosmic Stem-4 2; 4,9
Note: See Steps 4, 7, and 12.
15.Sum of "Odd" Numbers = Heavenly Number
7+7+5+9+7+9= 44
Note: Add "odd" numbers in Steps: 4, 7, 12, and 14.
16.Sum of "Even" numbers = Earthly Number
6+2+10+2+2+4= 26
Note: Add "even" numbers from Steps: 4, 7, 12, and 14.
17.Trigram Heavenly (44) and Earthly (26) for Sirman, a man born in 1942.
If Sirman were a woman, the (3) earthy lines would be on top - see Step-
18.
Age
none ------- 37-46 <- Yang line is solid
a.Heavenly g --- --- h 30-36 <- Yin line "broken"
(man:top) ------- l 20-29
------- k 10-19 Note: if hexagram
b.Earthly ---o--- j 01-09 contains 5 Yang lines,
(woman:top) ------- i 47-56 the top one has no
designation. These
c.From Step 19 5:56 pm = Yin hour rules are complex.
Controlling Line, j: Yang
marked with "o" on "j" line, a Yang line (x on a Yin line)
Note: The heavenly and earthly numbers, 44 and 26 from Steps 15 and 16
respectively, are each associated with a selection of 60 complex trigrams
for each of cosmic and earthly forces. The "i," "j..." line designations
are explained in Step-18.
18.Pre-Haven/Prediction Hexagrams
Note: For a man, if the year is positive (even-numbered, such as 1942),
then the heavenly trigram is on top, the earthly trigram is at the bottom
- as shown above; it is the opposite for odd-numbered years. For a woman
the situation is the reverse.
19.The Controlling Line - is determined from the time of birth and the
combinations of Yang lines (i.e., the period from 11 pm to 11 am, at two-
hour intervals, represented by letters "a" through "f") and Yin lines
(i.e., the period from 11 am to 11 pm, represented by lines "g" through
"l") displayed on the hexagram. In the example, the time of birth at 5:56
pm took place during Yin hours. Therefore, the controlling line is the
line "j."
20.Subcycles of Life - begin from the controlling line. The Yang lines
represent nine years, the Yin lines six years. The pre-haven (natal)
development phases for Sirman are shown in Step-17. The years and phases
are measured from winter solstice to winter solstice. Note that the natal
years for Sirman continue through age 56 in 1998.
21.The Later Heaven hexagram - is derived from pre-heaven hexagram whereby
the lower three (earthly) lines are moved to the top. Based on hexagram
in Step-17, this adjustment yields the following hexagram. Note also that
if the original controlling line is a Yang line, it changes to a Yin line,
and vice versa.
Age
------- 104-113
a.Earthly ------- 94-103
------- 84-93
------- 74-83
b.Heavenly --- --- 67-73
---o--- 57-66 1999-2008 AD
22.Predictions
A prediction for Sirman for years prior to age 57 would involve the pre-
heaven hexagram in Step-17. For example, the hexagrams for ages 47 and 48
would be as follows:
Age Age 47 Age 48
1989 1990
------- 37-46 ------- -------
--- --- 30-36 --- --- --- ---
------- 20-29 ------- ------- etc.
------- 10-19 ------- -------
------- 01-09 ------- ---x---
------- 47-56 ---x--- -------
Note: Starting from the bottom of hexagram at age 47, a Yang line is
replaced by a Yin line - and vice versa - for each subsequent year. Thus,
for predictions in 1989 - age 47 - the bottom line of the Pre-Haven
hexagram is replaced by a Yin line - marked by "x." The line for 1993,
age 51, is a Yin line. So it is replaced by a Yang line. The positive
and negative characteristics follow the even and odd numbered years
respectively.
23.Daily Cycles - are controlled to some extent by the yearly hexagram. The
cycles are closely associated with the five elements, each of which is
considered dominant for 72 days, with the exception of earth, which is
allocated 77 days. The hexagrams for particular days are derived in a
similar fashion.
Conclusions
The hexagrams represent the evolution of the primal forces of Yin and Yang.
It is claimed that they represent all possible situations and conditions
relating to humans, animals, and plants. According to I Ching, the evolution
of universe proceeded from a "Universal Creative" with a desire to manifest
itself. This process generated the positive Yang and negative Yin forces.
So the human evolution also follows a path during which Yin and Yang forces
interact daily, monthly, yearly, and cyclically. The evolution of a person
is represented by 64 hexagrams. Needless to say, the interpretations are
really complex.
Comment
The example confirms the statements made earlier:
o The I Ching patterns (hexagrams) are really complex. One must take the
"wisdom" of ancient Chinese totally on trust.
o The planets are not at all involved in the derivation. This is not
astrology, as astrology is known in the West.
o The birth date, time, place are the only determinants of one's karma.
Except for self-will (which is also promoted by Western astrology), there
are no modifying elements and trigger mechanisms. Western astrology
offers transits. For example, it is know to astrologers that there occurs
a "restructuring" process when Saturn transits a critical section of a
natal chart. I Ching does not care about Saturn.
o I prefer Western astrology. It is dynamic (i.e.,transits). Moreover, the
delineations in Western astrology are concrete - and therefore much easier
to ascertain, daily and cyclically.