I’ve been working and re-working my personal Interpretation of I Ching in various forms for what feels like forever. Recently I started to post I Ching Meditations on a Blogger hosted site and got sidetracked when I began to learn how to do a self-hosted Blog on WordPress for my Yoga Babe Cafe. So now I will transfer what I have on Blogger to here and change my form of presentation somewhat by adding more posts about my creative process, dreams and stuff I’m not thinking about as I write this.
I want the reader to have some understanding of my purpose and goals for this I Ching blog. I first became obsessed with I Ching in 1970. This interest coincided with the feminist movement where I was frequently asked, “Why are you interested in that sexist book that talks about the superior man all the time?” I Ching developed as the Chinese language developed over three thousands years ago so that question was not something I could respond to in a sound bite.
While there are many interpretations of I Ching, they are from the perspective of the traditional Eastern masculine view. So partly in response to those early days of that repeated question, and partly because I love to write and make pictures, I decided that I needed to create my own version of what I Ching means to me. I Ching Meditations is expressed in imagery and words. So this is a Western Woman’s perspective on that most valuable ancient Eastern archetypal work. As I look back, deciding to do this was an act of hubris on one hand and also a path of optimism on the other. I did not take into account that just living my life with endless major interruptions would cause me to take a very long time to complete this work. Another problem that I encounter is that I often come up with different meanings for the same Hexagram. This is one aspect of I Ching that is magical and what hooks so many of us into repeatedly consulting this book of wisdom. I’m talking about subtle nuances depending on the situation. A third issue that I have added to my list of deterrents for getting on with it is my continual change of mediums that evolved over time. I have more to say about that in another Page.
My goal is to be able to finish my interpretation of all sixty-four Hexagrams and eventually publish them in print form. Consulting I Ching for wisdom or advice is always a subjective experience. My I Ching Meditations are personal and my hope is that I will generate some dialogue from other I Ching devotees – or perhaps inspire others to learn more about this great work.
There are many sites and books that tell what I Ching is, giving historical facts and instructions on how to use it. I don’t aim to repeat much of that information here but will add some links to sites of interest.
For anyone new to I Ching I recommend reading Carl Jung’s forward to the now classic Wilhelm-Baynes, Princeton University Press edition of The I Ching. This interpretation is my I Ching bible.
austin on 
Jt on 
nagaraju on 
Adele on 
Hilary on 
September 1st, 2009 at 11:25 am
Hello,
Adele, are you based in Brisbane?
IF so, we have another coincidence or synchronicity; I am situated on the Coast and work with someone who has been attending your book making workshops … if you are indeed in Brisbane. Robyn is using her skills to work with our Year 9 students on their own book-making in a unit called ‘my little book of me’.
I found your link via a search for information on John Cage and the I Ching as part of my own blogging exercise – an online visual diary of sorts at the above address and I love your breadth of definition of the book very much. I hope it is ok to link to your site from mine – you can see the connections @ navigating chance tides.
sincerely,
in peace
Alana
January 25th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
The I Ching comes alive with each artist’s exploration of the hexagrams. For you, Adele, to create an image for every single line is a wonderful gift for yourself and anyone who witnesses the process. Bravo.
For ten years I painted the I Ching hexagrams on doors (36×80). On one side of the door I would explore the interaction of the elements (earth over heaven) and on the other side I would paint a personal experience of the hexagram. I chose the large surface because I needed a format that literally had me on my toes to reach the top and on my knees to work with the bottom. It took another ten years for me to process the material and to be able to articulate my experience.
I invite you to take a look at some of the I Ching doors on my website artempowerment.com or to see a sample of the book that I published. Go to Blurb.com and look for “Visual Framework for Change”. Adele, when you are ready to publish your images the Blurb (publish on demand) approach may be a place to start. The publications are true to the original colors.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Hello Kendra,
Thanks so much for finding and commenting here. I took a look at your web page and your images. How I wish I could see your I Ching panels “in the flesh!” Wonderful! I also looked at your bio and have so more to discuss with you – will do in an email. We have much in common.
Love, Adele