Return to Tradition: A Detailed Guide to the Yarrow Stalk Method of I Ching Divination

Beyond the Coin Toss

The three-coin method gives a quick way to use the I Ching. But it's a newer, simpler version. The original way is the yarrow stalk method.

This is the oracle described in the I Ching's own commentary, the Great Treatise (Da Zhuan).

The yarrow stalk method takes more time and focus. It turns divination from a simple question into a deep practice.

This guide walks you through each step of the traditional yarrow stalk method. We'll explore not just how to do it, but why this ancient art has lasted for thousands of years.

The Path of Tradition

Why spend time learning this complex method when we can get quick answers? The reasons are as deep as the I Ching itself.

First is staying true to history. This is how ancient wise people, including Confucius, would have used the I Ching. Using yarrow stalks connects you directly with the roots of the I Ching.

The main text that describes this method, the Da Zhuan (大衍篇), explains the process and gives it cosmic meaning. It is the original way of the oracle.

The process itself is active meditation. Divination becomes a sacred ritual, not just a quick answer machine.

Sorting the stalks over and over has a deep effect. It calms your mind, focuses your thoughts, and creates a quiet space for your question to become clear. You'll feel growing calm and focus, a state where your intuition can come through.

The ritual also shows the cosmic creation in small form. Each time you divide and count the stalks, it mirrors the Taoist idea of how the unified Tao creates yin and yang, which then create all things. The process is the philosophy in action.

Lastly, there's an important math difference. The yarrow stalk method gives different chances for creating lines compared to coins. It strongly favors stable lines, making changing lines more meaningful. Many traditionalists believe this gives more accurate readings.

Key benefits include:
* Direct link to historical tradition.
* A built-in meditation practice that clears the mind.
* Deeper connection with Taoist philosophy.
* A different, possibly more nuanced, probability structure.

Preparing for the Ritual

Good preparation is key. It helps the process flow and gets your mind ready, honoring the spirit of divination.

First, gather your tools. You need fifty yarrow stalks. While real dried yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is best, straight bamboo stalks or wooden sticks of equal length (about 10-12 inches) work well too. They should all be the same size.

You also need a clean surface. A quiet table works fine. Many people use a piece of silk or natural cloth to create a sacred space and soften the sound of the stalks.

Remove all distractions. Turn off your phone, close the door, and make sure you won't be interrupted for at least 20-30 minutes.

Your question matters greatly. Create a clear, honest, and open-ended question. Avoid yes/no questions. Instead of "Will I get the job?", ask "What's the best way for me to approach this new job opportunity?"

Before starting, center your mind. Take several deep, slow breaths. Spend a moment in silence to let your busy thoughts settle down. If your mind feels cluttered, writing your question in a journal can help focus your intent.

The 18 Steps of Change

The core of the yarrow stalk method is a series of eighteen moves, or "changes," that create a single hexagram. Each of the six lines needs three changes. The process is careful and exact.

We will build the hexagram from bottom to top. The whole sequence below is done once to create the first line, then repeated five more times for the other lines.

Generating a Single Line

Initial Setup:
Start with all 50 stalks in one pile.

Take one stalk and set it aside. This single stalk is the Taiji or Great Primal Unity. It stands for the observer and the unchanging whole. It takes no further part in the casting.

You will now work with the remaining 49 stalks.

First Change (Heaven):

1. With your eyes closed or looking away, use your right hand to split the 49 stalks into two piles, putting one to your left and one to your right.

2. Take one stalk from the right pile. Place it between your left hand's little finger and ring finger. This stalk represents Man, the link between Heaven (left pile) and Earth (right pile).

3. Look at the left pile. Remove stalks from this pile in groups of four, setting them aside. Keep going until four or fewer stalks remain.

4. Take this remainder (it will be 1, 2, 3, or 4 stalks) and place it between your left hand's ring finger and middle finger.

5. Now, turn to the right pile. Remove stalks from this pile in groups of four, setting them aside with the others. Keep going until four or fewer stalks remain.

6. Take this second remainder (1, 2, 3, or 4 stalks) and place it between your left hand's middle finger and index finger.

7. You now hold a group of stalks in your left hand. The total will always be either 5 or 9. Count them to be sure, then set this entire group aside. This completes the first change.

Second Change (Earth):

1. Gather all the large piles of stalks that you set aside (the ones you counted out in groups of four). The total will be either 44 or 40 stalks.

2. Repeat the entire process from the First Change (Steps 1-6) with this new, smaller pile of stalks.

3. The group of remainders you now hold in your left hand will total either 4 or 8. Count them, and then set this second group aside with the first group. This completes the second change.

Third Change (Man):

1. Gather the remaining large piles of stalks. The total will be 40, 36, or 32.

2. Repeat the process from the First Change (Steps 1-6) one last time with this final pile.

3. The group of remainders you now hold in your left hand will again total either 4 or 8. Count them, and set this third group aside with the other two. This completes the third change.

Determining the Line Value:

You now have three small piles of remainders that you have set aside. The rest of the stalks are in a large pile. To find the line value, ignore the remainder piles and focus on this large pile.

Count the number of stalks in this final large pile. The total will be 36, 32, 28, or 24.

Divide this number by 4 to get the line's numerical value.

• 36 stalks / 4 = 9 (Old Yang). This is a changing yang line.
• 32 stalks / 4 = 8 (Young Yin). This is a stable yin line.
• 28 stalks / 4 = 7 (Young Yang). This is a stable yang line.
• 24 stalks / 4 = 6 (Old Yin). This is a changing yin line.

Record your line. Draw a solid line for Yang (7 or 9) and a broken line for Yin (8 or 6). If the line is a 6 or a 9, mark it with a small 'x' or circle to show it's a changing line.

This is the first line of your hexagram, the bottom line.

To complete the hexagram, gather all 49 stalks together and repeat this entire 11-step process five more times, recording each line above the previous one.

The Numbers of Creation

This complex ritual has deep meaning. Each step has cosmic symbolism, turning the divination into a recreation of creation. Understanding this symbolism makes the practice richer.

The number 50 itself is the "Great Expansion" number, standing for the fullness of possibility.

The one stalk set aside is the Taiji, the Great Ultimate or Primordial Unity. It is the silent, unmoving source from which all else comes. It watches but does not take part.

The remaining 49 stalks are the "Great Use," standing for the active, visible universe. These are the energies we work with.

The first random division of the 49 stalks into two piles shows the first act of creation: the splitting of unity into the basic duality of Yin and Yang. This is the cosmic polarity that drives all processes.

The single stalk taken from the right pile and held in the hand stands for Humanity's place. Man stands as a bridge between the forces of Heaven (the left pile) and Earth (the right pile).

Counting out stalks in groups of four represents the flow of time and the cycle of the four seasons, the basic rhythm of the world.

The three changes needed to create a single line represent the cosmic trinity of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Each plays its part in shaping the outcome, showing how all things are connected.

By doing the ritual, we are not just finding an answer; we are aligning ourselves with the basic creative patterns of the cosmos.

Yarrow vs. Three Coins

How does this ancient method compare to the much more common three-coin toss? While both are valid ways to consult the oracle, they offer very different experiences.

The choice isn't about which method is "better," but which fits the situation and the seeker's goal. The coin method offers speed and ease, perfect for a quick check-in or when time is short. The yarrow stalk method needs time and focus, offering a path for deep, thoughtful inquiry.

The biggest difference is in the probabilities. With coins, every possible line (6, 7, 8, 9) has an equal chance of appearing. With yarrow stalks, the stable lines (7, Young Yang and 8, Young Yin) are three times more likely to appear than the changing lines (9, Old Yang and 6, Old Yin). This makes change a rarer and more powerful event in a yarrow reading.

Embracing the Journey

The yarrow stalk method is more than a divination technique; it is a spiritual practice. It invites us to slow down, to focus our intention, and to engage with the I Ching not as a book of answers, but as a source of living wisdom.

The value lies as much in the journey as in the destination. The process of sorting the stalks, of engaging the mind and body in a unified ritual, is a practice in mindfulness and connection.

We encourage you to embrace this path. Gather your stalks, find a quiet moment, and connect with the I Ching in the profound and meditative way it was originally intended. The wisdom you seek may be found not only in the hexagram you cast, but in the silence between the counting of the stalks.