Yijing, shamanic oracle of China: a new book of change

338 Pages·1.423 MB·English

by  Bertschinger, Richard(Translation)

TRANSLATED WITH COMMENTARY BY
RICHARD BERTSCHINGER
Y
Richard Bertschingerhas been working on this ‘The great strength of Richard Bertschinger’s rendition of the Yijing is that it T For the Chinese, the destiny of each individual
translation for 30 years. He studied with the is both a personal interpretation and one that is based on scholarship of the R i and the cosmos have always been inextricably
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Taoist sage and Master, Gia-fu Feng. A practising Chinese language. For millions of Chinese who have read the Yijingover the N i linked, and for two thousand years the Yijing, or
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acupuncturist, teacher of the healing arts and millennia, understanding its ideas has been part of a lived experience, a S The Book of Change, has exercised the best minds
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personal journey. This edition also encourages the reader to place themselves g
translator of ancient Chinese texts, he lives with A in the Orient. Richard Bertschinger has worked
at the centre of understanding; to understand it from the inside, not as an T Yijing,
his family in the hills of south west England. He E , from the classical commentaries to make a fresh
is the author of The Secret of Everlasting Life, also external observer.’ D and up-to-date translation for the modern
– Ian Appleyard, course director of degree programmes at the S
published by Singing Dragon. W world. Marriage, business ventures, journeys,
London Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine h
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T disputes, world affairs, personal problems,
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health and money issues all are grist to the

C m mill of The Book of Change. Through pondering
‘Richard Bertschinger’s new translation of The Book of Changeis poetical and O
perceptive, revealing aspects of this enigmatic work that may easily pass M Shamanic the lines, studying their poetry and devoting
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unnoticed. Whether the reader is interested in the cosmology of the Change, M ourselves to their meaning, the heart of the
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or wants to experiment with it as a divination manual, they will find inspiration E ancients is clear. We pick up, perhaps in a way
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in this translation.’ i we never could have conceived of, how to
T c
– Fabrizio Pregadio, Taoist scholar and translator, and A guide and direct our lives.
researcher at the University of Erlangen, Germany R With an introduction that explains the
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B underlying structure and philosophy of The Book
Y r of Change, as well as its history, and a detailed
Oracle of
‘As a scholar and practitioner, Richard Bertschinger has devoted much time R a
explanation of how to throw the yarrow sticks or
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and interest to researching ancient Chinese philosophy. This new translation C c
the coins, the novice reader is given everything
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and commentary on the Yijingis an exceptionally fine piece of work, creating
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A they need to take their first steps in consulting
an easy-to-understand interpretation of the shamanic oracle of China for e
R the ancient oracle. Those already familiar with
modern times.’ D
– Dr Jidong Wu, PhD, senior lecturer in Traditional B o established translations will find this new
Chinese Medicine, Middlesex University E f translation from the original texts clear and
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T China illuminating.
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A NEW BOOK OF CHANGE
116 Pentonville Road
London, N1 9JB, UK
400 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
www.singingdragon.com
SINGING
Cover design: Black Dog Design DRAGON
Front cover calligraphy: Xiao Bai Li

‘The great strength of Richard Bertschinger’s rendition of the Yijing is that it is both a
personal interpretation and one that is based on scholarship of the Chinese language.
For millions of Chinese who have read the Yijing over the millennia, understanding
its ideas has been part of a lived experience, a personal journey. This edition also
encourages the reader to place themselves at the centre of understanding; to understand
it from the inside, not as an external observer.’
– Ian Appleyard, course director of degree programmes at the London
Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine
‘Reading through this translation of the Yijing by my old friend Richard Bertschinger,
I was struck by his deep respect for the wisdom and living spirit of this ancient text,
always allowing the oracle to speak for itself. Our practice is to become still enough
to hear its voice.’
– Shi Jing, 31st generation Dragon Gate priest and
Chairman of the British Taoist Association
‘Richard Bertschinger’s new translation of The Book of Change is poetical and perceptive,
revealing aspects of this enigmatic work that may easily pass unnoticed. Whether the
reader is interested in the cosmology of the Change, or wants to experiment with it as
a divination manual, they will find inspiration in this translation.’
– Fabrizio Pregadio, Taoist scholar and translator, and
researcher at the University of Erlangen, Germany
‘An essential book for anyone interested in humanity’s relationship with heaven and
earth. Richard’s scholarship opens a door to the rich imagery of the Yijing, illuminating
its relevance for our time. Its insights guide us in adapting to change, whilst orienting
ourselves with the awareness of that which is beyond change.’
– Alan Hext, acupuncturist, zero balancer and co-author of Jing Shen
‘As a scholar and practitioner, Richard Bertschinger has devoted much time and interest
to researching ancient Chinese philosophy. This new translation and commentary
on the Yijing is an exceptionally fine piece of work, creating an easy-to-understand
interpretation of the shamanic oracle of China for modern times.’
– Dr Jidong Wu, PhD, senior lecturer in Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Middlesex University

Shaman Fu Xi, originator of the trigrams. Watercolour by Ma Lin (13th century)
by the same author
The Secret of Everlasting Life
The First Translation of the Ancient Chinese Text on Immortality
Richard Bertschinger
ISBN 978 1 84819 048 1
of related interest
Seeking the Spirit of The Book of Change
8 Days to Mastering a Shamanic Yijing (I Ching) Prediction System
Master Zhongxian Wu
Foreword by Daniel Reid
ISBN 978 1 84819 020 7
The 12 Chinese Animals
Create Harmony in your Daily Life through Ancient Chinese Wisdom
Master Zhongxian Wu
ISBN 978 1 84819 031 3
Yijing,
Shamanic
Oracle of
China
A New Book of Change
Translated with commentary by
Richard Bertschinger
London and Philadelphia
Photo of Chinese coins on p.15 is reproduced by license from Shutterstock.
Photo of yarrow sticks on p.18 is reproduced by permission of Renee Hella – www.helladelicious.com.
Photo of the creative and receptive forces on p.29 is reproduced by license from Shutterstock.
Photo of song porcelain bowl on p.36 is reproduced by permission of Ben Janssens Oriental Art.
First published in 2012
by Singing Dragon
an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
116 Pentonville Road
London N1 9JB, UK
and
400 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
www.singingdragon.com
Copyright © Richard Bertschinger 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including
photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or inci-
dentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright owner
except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the
terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street,
London EC1N 8TS. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of
this publication should be addressed to the publisher.
Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a civil
claim for damages and criminal prosecution.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Yi jing. English
Yijing, shamanic oracle of China : a new Book of change / translated with
commentary by Richard Bertschinger.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-84819-083-2 (alk. paper)
I. Bertschinger, Richard. II. Title.
PL2478.D27 2012
299'.51282--dc23
2011033067
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978 1 84819 083 2
eISBN 978 0 85701 066 7
Contents
Why a Book of Change? 11
Why another Translation? 13
How to Cast the Oracle 15
Introduction 21
First Book
1. Qian / The Creative 57
2. Kun / The Receptive 62
3. Tun / The Hesitant 67
4. Meng / The Innocent 72
5. Xu / Waiting 76
6. Song / The Lawsuit 80
7. Shi / The Army 84
8. Bi / Relating 88
9. Xiaoxu / Small Cultivation 92
10. Lu / Stepping 97
11. Tai / Flourishing 101
12. Pi / Decline 106
13. Tongren / Fellowship 110
14. Dayou / Great Possession 115
15. Qian / Humility 119
16. Yu / Harmony 123
17. Sui / Following 127
18. Gu / Corruption 131
19. Lin / Approach 136
20. Guan / The Observing 140
21. Shihe / Biting Through 144
22. Bi / Adornment 148
23. Bo / Tearing Apart 153
24. Fu / The Restored 157
25. Wuwang / The Unerring 161
26. Daxu / Great Cultivation 165
27. Yi / The Jaws 169
28. Daguo / Great Excess 173
29. Kan / The Double Trap 177
30. Li / The Adhering 181
Second Book
31. Xian / Affection 187
32. Heng / Constancy 191
33. Dun / Withdrawal 195
34. Dazhuang / Great Strength 199
35. Jin / The Advancing 203
36. Mingyi / A Darkening Light 208
37. Jiaren / The Family 212
38. Kui / Separation 216
39. Jian / Obstruction 221
40. Jie / Release 225
41. Sun / Decrease 229
42. Yi / Increase 234
43. Guai / Breaking Through 238
44. Gou / Encounter 243