The Tao Deck I Ching Tool creator: Stephen Schachter illustrator: Paul Guess translator (I Ching - The Book of Change): Thomas Cleary Tao Deck Inc. 2001 ISBN #970715900 The I Ching is an ancient form of divination - over five thousand years old. Schachter calls it a living map of creation, born from the observation of nature, and from the awareness of a time/space duality. It holds a truth that still stands today, having withstood many centuries of cultural change. What Schachter has done is taken the rudiments of the I Ching and presented them in a highly usable form. Included in this kit is the pocket version of the Shambhala pocket classic version of the I Ching - The Book of Change, translated by Thomas Cleary. The foundational duality of the I Ching is represented by the terms Yin and Yang, with Yin energy represented by a broken line, and Yang energy by a solid line. These lines form into eight groups of three, representing the eight basic Trigrams. Each Trigram carries an identity of its own, connected closely to nature. They are: Chien (Sky), Tui (Lake), Li (Fire), Sun (Wind), Kan (Water), Ken (Mountain), and Kun (Earth). The Tao Deck itself is composed of 35 cards: 2 Information cards, 8 Trigram Keycards, 24 Oracle cards, and the title card. The two information cards are the Yin-Yang Evolution Chart, and the Earthly Circular Order card. The 8 Trigram Keycards were created to represent the Hexagram answer. They are illustrated, so that they may be used in meditation, as well as to encourage intuitive understanding of the cards. The 24 Oracle Cards each contain up to three groups of Yin and Yang lines. All 24 cards contain a big single line, 12 of the cards contain a 2 line duogram, and 16 of the cards contain a 3 line Trigram. There are three different methods given for using the cards in a reading. The Quick Trigram Method is recommended for beginners, for use when a quick answer is needed, or when a moving line is not desired. The 16 cards with the 3-line Trigrams are separated from deck. After framing their question, the Seeker then draws two cards - one each for the upper and lower Trigrams. The Two Line Method makes use of the 12 cards that have the 2-line Duograms on them. After framing the question, the Seeker draws three cards. The bottom card represents the Earth level, the middle card represents the Human level, and the top card represents the Heaven/Spiritual level. The Traditional method uses all 24 of the Oracle cards, taking the single line in the center of each card. There are four possible lines, with values assigned to them: the plain Yin line (8), the changing Yin line (6), the plain Yang line (7), and the changing Yang line (9). Six cards are drawn to form the upper and lower Trigrams. If a card with a changing line is drawn, a second Hexagram is formed. Schachter notes that for complete mathematical accuracy, as each card is drawn the card and its value are written down, then reshuffled into the deck. The interpretation for all of the readings is taken from the I Ching - The Book of Change. Each Hexagram has a graphic of the lines that constitute it, the name of the Hexagram, its meaning, and sections on Overall Judgment, Image, and Components. The book itself is small - 3" by 4 1/2", 170 pages, but with the type large enough to be easily read. The cards are eight-sided, 3" by 3", of sturdy, glossy cardstock. A trifle hard to shuffle, only because of their configuration. The graphics and text are easily readable, and the colors intense. The cards come with a violet colored velvet bag for storage. There is an eight page pamphlet that comes with the kit, written by Stephen Schachter. he gives a short history of the I Ching, defines the eight major Trigrams, and discusses the structure of the deck. It is in this pamphlet that the three methods for reading with the deck are discussed. Schachter also includes a diagram of a sample reading, using the Traditional method. There is also a table of the 64 Trigrams for easy reference, along with a suggested reading list. I found this deck, book, and pamphlet easy to understand, and easy to use. One of the main purposes for the cards was that the illustrations would act to open the interpretation for the cards, and I believe that this purpose was met. Whether used for divination, meditation, or visualization, the Tao Deck is a strong tool of personal empowerment. © November 2005 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles Graphics by Art for the web