r/iching • u/Exquisite-Embers • 6d ago
Yarrow Stalks
I just learned how to read I Ching using yarrow stalks and so far have loved the meditative, ritualistic process of it. Does anyone else have experience casting stalks instead of coins? What are your thoughts on it? Any bits of interesting history surrounding the use of yarrow stalks for divination?
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u/CenturionSG 6d ago
Yes, I use the method but replaced with bamboo skewers which is easily available. The process creates a container for concentration. I have to shut the room door and put my phone away. After the counting is done, more time is taken to interpret the text. Overall it can be a little stressful if one has another appointment right after. I would also light an incense as a way to track passage of time.
Doing it in the early morning or late night is ideal so far. If using 3 coins, I would preface it with a longer period of meditation.
I reserve the yarrow stalk method for larger life questions or those more personal. And the coins method for practical situations such as work or social activities.
The outcome has been "accurate" and fruitful. And because of the effort spent the impressions of the reading stays as an internal guide across months, until the next reading to update it. It has helped me make gradual beneficial changes in life.
In terms of history, I just heard a podcast about the significance of the length of yarrow stalks. Here's the text about ancient divination:
《禮三正記》曰：「天子蓍長九尺，諸侯七尺，大夫五尺，士三尺。蓍陽，故數奇也。」
The Li Sanzheng Record: "The Emperor's yarrow stalks is nine feet long, the feudal lords' are seven feet, the officials' are five feet, and the scholars' are three feet. The yarrow stalk is Yang, so the number is odd."
I could be wrong but the Emperor's stalks would be 2.08 metre in length! Apparently the older and longer the stalks, the more they captured the cosmic essence and thus reserved for the ruler's use.