The I’Ching, the Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese oracle based on the intricate interplay between yin and yang, internal receptivity and outward activity. Through observations of patterns in plants, animals, seasons and the human body the I’Ching evolved into a metaphoric language using 64 hexagrams, composed of 6 lines each, creating a total of 384 lines.
There is intelligence in these patterns. It is not about absolutes, but rather about the description of life’s organic nature. The language of the I’Ching brings time to life and helps us understand the flow of events. It is not about should I act, or about knowing what lies ahead, rather when it is the natural and harmonious time to act. The underlying principles are the inter-relationship among all that exists and the ever-changing movements in life.
This everlasting wisdom of the ancient I’Ching has evolved over time and its origins can be traced back as far as the 8th century BC. Both Taoism and Confucianism have their roots based in this ancient system. Taoism teaches us The Way of nature and The Way of the world and how to achieve balance to create harmony.
Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher, used this system as a manual to live a life of virtue. It is told that, when he was an old man, he regretted he had not studied this oracle more. If he had, he believed he would have avoided committing great errors. Carl Jung, who founded modern analytical psychology, studied the I’Ching and understood the psychological truth and value found in this oracle.
The Human Design system uses the Rave I’Ching which also finds its roots in the I’Ching. In this system, the 64 hexagrams are correlated to the astrological planets and our physical body which are purposefully placed in the Human Design Bodygraph. Human Design professionals use the language of Rave I’Ching to describe our lives, gifts, lessons and stumbling blocks in a deliberate, impactful and transformational way. Through these vast descriptions, we capture aspects of ourselves and humanity in precise words. These words effectively illustrate the many facets of who we are individually and collectively, guiding us and our loved ones in the next steps on our journey.
Yet there is more- in Human Design, we correlate this ancient wisdom contained in the 64 gates in the I’Ching with the 64 codons found in our genetic code, creating a detailed roadmap of who we are in our present life. We use this ancient language to describe our unique and collective DNA. This proves to be key in understanding our present and future selves.
Through the Human Design system, we are greatly assisted in our understanding of life’s great mysteries, the ebb and flow of energy in our inner and outer worlds.
Pretty cool.
~ Julie