Okay, here’s my take on documenting an “iching tarot” practice, blog-style. Let’s see if I can pull this off!
My Crazy “I Ching Tarot” Experiment (And How It Went Down)
Alright folks, buckle up. I’m about to share something kinda out there that I’ve been messing with – I Ching Tarot. Yeah, you heard right. I Ching meets Tarot. Don’t ask me how I came up with this idea, I have no idea. It just popped into my head one day.
So, first things first, I had to figure out how to actually do this thing. I started by grabbing my Rider-Waite Tarot deck and my well-worn copy of the I Ching. I thought, “Okay, both systems have symbols, meanings, and a way of reflecting on life. Let’s see if we can mash them together!”
- Step 1: The Question. Just like any tarot reading, I started with a specific question. Something I was genuinely struggling with. This time it was, “What’s the best approach to take with this new work project?”
- Step 2: The Shuffle and Draw. I shuffled the tarot deck, focusing on my question. I decided to draw three cards. The first card would represent the current situation, the second the challenge, and the third the potential outcome.
- Step 3: I Ching Time! Now, this is where it got interesting. For each tarot card I drew, I consulted the I Ching. I used the card number (e.g., if I drew the 3 of Swords, I’d use the number 3) to determine which line in a hexagram to focus on. Since the I Ching has 6 lines in each hexagram, and tarot goes up to at least 10, I did some dodgy math dividing larger card numbers to fit within the 1-6 range. Don’t judge me! I needed a way to make it work.
For example, the first card I drew was the… let’s say it was the Five of Pentacles (I’m keeping the real reading personal, y’know?). So, 5th line of the corresponding I Ching hexagram was my focus. I read the interpretation of that line carefully, trying to connect it to the “current situation” indicated by the Five of Pentacles.
The Results (Weird, But Interesting)
Honestly, the first couple of times I tried this, it felt like utter nonsense. I was forcing connections that just weren’t there. But I kept at it, tweaking my method slightly each time.
What I found, eventually, was that the I Ching added a layer of depth to the tarot reading that I hadn’t expected. The I Ching’s commentary provided a more nuanced perspective, especially on the underlying reasons behind the tarot card’s message. It was like the I Ching was explaining the “why” behind the “what” that the tarot card was showing me.
For my work project question, the combination of the tarot cards and the I Ching lines gave me a surprisingly clear picture. It highlighted potential pitfalls I hadn’t considered and pointed towards a more collaborative approach that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.
Is it Legit? (Who Cares!)
Look, I have no idea if this is a “real” system or if anyone else has ever tried it. I’m not claiming it’s some ancient, hidden practice. It’s just something I experimented with, and I found it… useful. It forced me to think about my questions in new ways and to consider different perspectives.
If you’re into both Tarot and the I Ching, and you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try! Just be prepared for some weirdness and don’t take it too seriously. It’s all about the process of reflection and gaining a little insight, right?
Let me know if you try it out and what you think! I’m curious to see if anyone else finds this strange combination helpful.
