How to Cast I Ching Hexagrams Using Go Stones: Binary Method

How to Cast I Ching Hexagrams Using Go Stones

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is often viewed through a mystical lens, but at its core it is a system of binary logic and probability. Long before modern computing, this oracle used a series of broken and unbroken lines (essentially zeros and ones) to map out 64 unique archetypal situations.

In this guide, I will show you how to use a three-stone draw method using black and white Go stones. This approach retains the tactile weight and deliberate pace of traditional casting, and can be adapted to reflect the asymmetric odds of the yarrow-stalk method if desired. Whether you are seeking a structured tool for reflection or are fascinated by the intersection of ancient philosophy and probability, this method provides a grounded, "cleansing" ritual for the modern mind.

The Instructable falls into the Ancient History category of Making History.

To cast your hexagram, you only need two essential components:

1. Go Stones: The number of black and white stones must be even, and you need at least 16 of each. These are the core of the method. I prefer melamine Go stones for their cool temperature and the "clack" they make when they meet.
2. A Small Drawstring Bag (Stones Bag): This must be opaque and large enough for you to comfortably reach in and draw three stones at once.

The following optional items enhance the ritual and provide the necessary reference for interpretation:

1. Casting Cloth: A square of fabric provides a dedicated surface for your reading. I use an Ankara-inspired graphic fabric cloth with a bold, geometric pattern which helps define a sacred space for the stones to land.
2. Casting Template: A printable page that includes space to record your initial inquiry, the primary and resulting hexagrams, and personal reflections on your casting. I include a digital version of this in my kits for printing at home.
3. Hexagram Reference Table: A quick-reference chart used to identify the number of your hexagram once the six lines are cast. I include a printed version of this in my kits for offline use, but there are many versions available online - search for "I Ching Hexagram Lookup".
4. Online Resources: Digital resources for looking up the deeper meanings and interpretations of each hexagram. Some options are provided in Step 6.

Where to find these: If you would like a ready-to-use set, I have a limited batch of curated I Ching Hexagram Casting Kits available in my Etsy shop. Each kit includes 38 stones, a stones bag, an Ankara-inspired graphic fabric casting cloth, a printed hexagram reference table, and a QR code for immediate access to my casting template and links to online resources. I have curated these specific items for The Cleansing Rain kits to ensure the weights and textures feel balanced during the ritual.

Note: While I have designed this method for global use, physical kits from the Cleansing Rain Etsy shop are currently only available for shipping within the EU.

The hexagrams of the I Ching offer a way to approach your situation with a clearer mind, guided by the perspective of this ancient wisdom. Before casting your hexagram, begin by clarifying your intent. Some tips:

1. Avoid simple "Yes/No" questions: Instead, try phrasing such as "How should I approach..." or "What is the nature of..."
2. Focus on yourself: You can't control the actions of others, so I find it best to inquire about my own response to a situation, rather than trying to predict what might happen.
3. Be specific: Clearly defining the context of your inquiry helps you to use the resulting hexagram to guide your reflections and find your path.

Recording your Inquiry: Use the Casting Template to write down your inquiry before you begin. This physical record anchors the ritual and allows you to return to your thoughts once the casting is complete. If you are in a setting where writing is not possible, take a moment to hold the inquiry clearly in your mind.

Ensure your stones bag contains an even number of black and white stones, and at least 16 of each. Give the bag a gentle shake to randomise the distribution.

A Note on Probabilities: The instructions below use a 1:3:3:1 ratio for the four types of lines, providing a balanced, symmetrical probability for each draw. For those who prefer the weighted odds of the yarrow-stalk method, click here for the alternative instructions for casting.

A hexagram is built from the bottom up. Place your casting cloth on a flat surface to define the space for your reading. You will repeat the following sequence six times to cast the hexagram.

1. Draw: Holding your inquiry in your mind, reach into the stones bag and pull out three stones simultaneously.
2. Placement: Place the three stones onto your casting cloth.
3. Identify: The combined values of the stones (black=2, white=3) determine the line type:
4. Six = 3 Black: Old Yin (A broken, moving line).
5. Seven = 2 Black, 1 White: Young Yang (A solid line at rest).
6. Eight = 2 White, 1 Black: Young Yin (A broken line at rest).
7. Nine = 3 White: Old Yang (A solid, moving line).
8. Record: In your Casting Template, draw the resulting line in the section for the Primary Hexagram (or jot it down on paper). Always place the first line at the bottom, stacking subsequent lines on top.
9. Reset: Return all three stones to the stones bag and shake to reset the distribution for the next draw.

By the end of the sixth draw, you have completed the cast of your hexagram.

To find your result in the King Wen sequence, use the Hexagram Reference Table.

1. Split: Separate your hexagram into the bottom three lines (Lower Trigram) and the top three lines (Upper Trigram). Ignore whether the line is moving or at rest for now, and identify your Lower and Upper Trigram from the eight trigrams pictured.
2. Match: Find your Lower Trigram on the rows to the left, and your Upper Trigram on the columns at the top.
3. Reference: The intersection of these two points is your hexagram's number.

This number is what you will use to look up the specific interpretation in your chosen text. Check the example in the picture provided if you are unsure.

You should now have the number of your Primary Hexagram. If you have no moving lines, skip to Step 6. Otherwise, read on...

If your draw produced any moving lines, the Primary Hexagram is your starting hexagram. The moving lines change into their opposites to reveal a second, Resulting Hexagram.

1. Identify: Look at your Primary Hexagram. Locate any lines marked as Old Yin (broken, moving) or Old Yang (solid, moving).
2. Transform: In the space for Resulting Hexagram on your Hexagram Casting Template, draw the "transformed" version of each moving line:
3. Broken lines become solid.
4. Solid lines become broken.
5. Carry Over: Any lines that were at rest do not change. Copy them over exactly as they are to the same position in the new hexagram.
6. Locate: You now have a Resulting Hexagram. Use the Hexagram Reference Table and instructions from Step 3 to find its King Wen sequence number.

Now that you have your hexagram number (or numbers), you can look up their meanings. While this Instructable provides the method for casting, the interpretations are found in the text of the I Ching itself.

I recommend the following external resources:

1. Classic Translations: For a scholarly yet poetic experience, look for the translations by Alfred Huang, or Richard Wilhelm / Cary F. Baynes.
2. Online Reference (1): For a quick, searchable, digital lookup, you can use iching.rocks.
3. Online Reference (2): For a more detailed description of your hexagram, I suggest heading over to Bradford Hatcher's I Ching.

Please note: these are independent recommendations and are not affiliated with this Instructable.

How to Read your Result:

1. The Primary Hexagram: Read the "Judgement" and the "Image" for the overall context of your situation. If you had no moving lines, this step is now complete.
2. The Moving Lines: If your cast had moving lines, read the corresponding text for those line positions. These provide the specific advice for your current moment.
3. The Resulting Hexagram: Read the "Judgement" and the "Image" of the second hexagram to see the potential direction or emerging state of the situation.

This process provides a structure for your thoughts; use the generated hexagrams as a quiet prompt for reflection and a way to approach your situation with a clearer mind, guided by the perspective of this ancient wisdom.