An I Ching Self-Initiation

I Ching, or the Book of Changes is not just a super insightful method of divination. Studying the text can offer an excellent road into esoteric knowledge. While I did go out and buy a lovely hardback edition with more supplemental information than the translated text itself, you can access the exact same translation of I Ching, or the Book of Changes, for free online. It offers sixty four solutions to any problem a person can face. Of course there are extra qualifiers for each one, but they are supplemental in my opinion, and for what I’m talking about today, outside of scope (but please don’t ignore them during regular divinatory use).

In the middle of the pandemic, my online pal Dave Awdry, host of the Unearthing Paranormalcy podcast was kind enough to explain the concept of pathworking to me. He pathworks runes, other people pathwork tarot or the Hebrew Aleph Bet. I’m sure there are myriad other systems of (previously) occult knowledge to choose from as well, but I’m fond of my thousands of years old Chinese friend, I Ching, so I chose that! 

First, let’s start with what pathworking is. How I understand and practice it, pathworking is a combination of academic study (reading) paired with correlating past experiences, and topped off with an imaginal journey into the realm of the subject (in this case, a single Hexagram, which is two sets of three line symbols that stack and are a symbol for each). Huh?… Read the passage, remember a time you won, lost, or called draw on that situation, then imagine themes and circumstances related to your study. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! 

Here’s the hard part. There’s sixty-four of them! It is also highly advisable to only do two or three a week. I averaged one a week. Life happens…

Here’s the spooky part. During, after, and sometimes before the study, I found that my life’s circumstances mirrored the hexagram I was studying. Yeah… Spooky! The most recent example is from #50, the Caldron. My online pal Yaramarud, host of the Administrism podcast is doing an experiment around the concept he coined, Hylaturia. It’s the pairing of awareness with physical matter. I listened to a recorded lecture he gave and participated in an experiment on the subject last night, then this morning, during pathworking, the exact definition of Hylaturia came up in the text. That’s another reason to give each hexagram a couple days. This work is about gaining knowledge, tying it to experience, then embodying the best strategy for those circumstances into yourself.

So, I studied all sixty-four hexagrams like that and when I was nearly finished, I realized that not only is the I Ching a conscious living being, it wanted me to initiate into the BEGINNING of my study. Yeah! A year’s work got me to the beginning. Trust me, there’s a lot to it, and while I feel I can speak with some intelligence about each hexagram, I KNOW there’s a lot left to learn. Nonetheless, I introduced myself to each part and experienced the power of the system to change reality or change the way I see reality (not sure there’s a difference…) and my wise old friend wanted to formalize the occasion! 

Here’s what I did. 

• I woke up early and entered gnosis. If this is an unfamiliar concept to you, a fast, reliable method I often use is a couple rounds of Wim Hof Method breathing.
• Then I set offerings and made a private (sorry folks, I don’t share EVERYTHING) show of gratitude to the source of life.
• Then I read my affirmations.
• Next I did the final pathworking like I described above. What? All that work first, before the initiation? Oh yeah. This isn’t the fast fix some people look for, but it is super effective and deeply gratifying work. I’ve never enjoyed this level of contentment before.
• I began to wind down by attending a Yoga class, and my instructor Kellie was definitely picking up my vibe, the routine was perfect for me! I dedicated my practice to embodying the knowledge and experience I had gained, so that I can Walk the Talk. 
• Then I went home and did a spiritual bath (module 1 lesson 7, page 7 of Quareia Apprentice works like a charm), and washed away the last remnants of the person society and circumstances had created in me. Then emerged as the person born from my efforts!
• Last, I finished the ritual with a lovely meal.

Want to give it a try? Great! If you want to chat with me about the process or if you’ve got questions, I’ve got a Discord forum dedicated to this blog, and welcome all fellow students of hidden wisdom. Join here!