Permanent records

If you consult the Yi, it may be beneficial to keep a proper and permanent record of the divinations. Such records can be used as resources for references, comparisons and in-depth analysis if you decide to delve deeper into Yi studies. Perhaps one day they can be passed down to posterity?

My first recording of the Yi divinations in a journal was way back in the early 1980’s (replacing loose leaves records kept during the 70’s). I am now into the fifth journal started a few years ago. Each journal contains about 200 divinations. Each basic entry has the question, the date (and occasionally the time) written next to it. The answer in the form of hexagram(s) from the Yi is written beside (to the right of) the question. Below the question I write my notes and analysis of the answer.

When the Yi give omens and/or ‘heaven’s secrets’, I will write additional notes and further analysis on the opposite page (otherwise the page would be left blank on purpose) forming a detailed interpretation of the omen or heaven’s secret with regular updates (if any) of the outcome.

One finds this way of recording the divinations useful for oracle interpretations and further studies of the Yi. It keeps the mind focused on the prognosis over the next few days and allows time to ponder deeper into the issue at hand. With the divinations written and set in ink (subsequent notes can be in pencil) the records last for a long time. (Herein lays a Confucian or an ancient thought, perhaps?)

Try out this method of recording sometime if you so wish, and see if it helps in your interpretations of the oracles.