How to Cast the I Ching with Coins

The most common modern casting method uses three coins. Each coin toss produces one line. Tails counts as 2, heads counts as 3. Add the three coins together: a sum of 6 is old yin (changing), 7 is young yang (stable), 8 is young yin (stable), and 9 is old yang (changing). Repeat six times, building the hexagram from the bottom line upward.

Before casting, write down a specific question. The question should be honest and focused on a real situation. Vague questions produce vague readings. A good question describes the actual tension or decision, not a hoped-for outcome.

Once you have six lines, identify the hexagram using a reference table or the oracle tool. Note any changing lines (values of 6 or 9). Read the primary hexagram's Judgment and Image first. Then read the changing line texts if present. Finally, build the relating hexagram by flipping the changing lines and read its Judgment.

Write down the result before interpreting. The act of writing slows the reading down and prevents the common mistake of jumping to the first interpretation that feels comfortable.

The traditional method uses 50 yarrow stalks and a more complex counting procedure. It produces the same four line values but with different probabilities: old yang is rarer than with coins, making changing lines less frequent. The yarrow method is slower and more meditative. Most beginners start with coins and move to yarrow stalks once they are comfortable with the reading process.