I Ching

I Ching readings analyze change, timing, tension, and response. They are not deterministic commands.

When to Use

• The user asks for I Ching, Yi Jing, Zhouyi, 易经, 周易, hexagrams, coins, or yarrow.
• The user wants symbolic reflection on timing, change, tension, strategy, or response.
• The user provides six bottom-to-top line values and wants an interpretation.

When Not to Use

• The request needs medical, legal, financial, emergency, or crisis advice.
• The user wants a guaranteed prediction or deterministic command.
• The user asks the agent to invent line values or recast for a nicer result.

Workflow

1. Clarify the question if it is vague or high-stakes.
2. Run scripts/cast.py unless the user provides six line values.
3. Read references/casting-methods.md when the casting method matters.
4. Read references/interpretation-template.md before writing the interpretation.
5. Read references/sources.md when method rigor or adjacent systems matter.
6. Read references/hexagrams.md for the primary and resulting hexagram.
7. Interpret using the shared response contract:

• Result
• Symbolic Reading
• Situation Mapping
• Hidden Variables
• Actionable Guidance
• Boundaries

Commands

python3 scripts/cast.py --method coins
python3 scripts/cast.py --method yarrow
python3 scripts/cast.py --method manual --lines 6,7,8,9,7,8

Line order is bottom-to-top.

Rules

• Do not invent line values or hexagrams.
• For real readings, prefer coins, yarrow, or manual; random is only a compatibility alias.
• Do not recast to get a more convenient answer.
• Treat changing lines as areas of active transition, not guaranteed events.
• If the question is medical, legal, financial, or crisis-related, switch to reflective support and recommend qualified help.