and these are symbolized by the sixty-four hexagrams.
Of course, we are all a completely unique manifestation of the Tao, of the cosmos. For example, two people, John and Sam, with the same natal hexagram (let’s say #11), would still be different people. They may have similar tendencies, they may have similar strengths, weaknesses, talents, and even similar interests. At the very least, if they were to meet, they’d have a lot to talk about, and they would either hit it off because they were so similar or dislike each other because they had similar drawbacks and could see in each other things they disliked about themselves. What each of us does with our natal hexagram tendencies is the key to how we live our lives.
On Reading Natal Hexagrams
In the next section of this book is the method for finding a person’s natal hexagram. After you have found your hexagram, and your friend’s hexagram, and your enemy’s hexagram, you will gain insight into what makes them tick as well as what their potential strengths and weaknesses are. Yet we have to be careful. Having given natal hexagram readings for about fifteen years, I must tell you that the readings in this book are limited. Let me explain why.
A person may be born with a terrible temper, yet the parents may work very hard at helping the child deal with this facet of his or her character to such an extent that it never becomes an issue in adult life. Another problem is that some of the inclinations or tendencies may influence each other, be contradictory, or even cancel each other out! This is why this book is best used with a bit of intuition.
“True will” is the optimal manifestation of the Tao through you in this life. It means strengthening one’s positive traits while minimizing or embracing the negative traits in such a way that they are transformed into growth and wisdom. In this sense everyone starts with a certain configuration, symbolized by the natal hexagram, but what each of us makes of our lives is very much up to us. Just because a person has lethargic tendencies does not mean that he or she can’t be a pro-baseball player or a ski champion. What I’m trying to say is that the True Will of a person is indicated by a natal hexagram, but it also supersedes the natal hexagram. Thus, the natal hexagram should be seen not as limiting but as a set of indications and a way of understanding.
Keeping these things in mind, the natal hexagram can be very useful for self-discovery as well as for understanding the behavior, viewpoint, and emotional makeup of others. When I know someone’s natal hexagram, I intuitively have a grasp on what makes them tick. This helps me deal with them, understand conflicts we may have, and work in a constructive and harmonious way with them.
No quality in and of itself is bad or good, and also no hexagram is completely bad or good as a natal hexagram. Some are easier and some are harder, but easy is not always good. People who have to work more usually have stronger characters, while people with easy hexagrams can be shallow and self-centered. For every light there is a shadow, every peak signals a coming decline, every problem gives way to a necessary and positive change.
Think on these things when reading the natal hexagrams. One more thing: The verses in this book are my ideas, thoughts, and interpretations. They come from my perspective. Some of them may not apply to you, and some, in your opinion, may be completely off the mark. However, I have done my best to intuitively interpret and expound on each natal hexagram. Through great effort and a lot of trial and error (and a whole lot of one-on-one natal hexagram readings), I feel that I have captured the essence of each natal hexagram. As you work with and study this book, other concepts, ideas, and attributes for various hexagrams may come to you: Note them down in the margins! This is always a work-in-progress, just as, in many ways, the I Ching still is. There is no definitive interpretation here; just as the Tao is never seen, never graspable, and never really conceived of, so too is this work elusive and ever-expanding. Use it; do not let it use you. As the Tao Teh Ching says: “The world is beyond holding.”
FINDING YOUR NATAL HEXAGRAM
Finding A Natal Hexagram
This method of determining a person’s natal hexagram was handed down to devotees in the United States of Shri Gurudev Dadaji Mahendranath, a most amazing and erudite tantric holy man. It was first published in Mandragore Magazine in 1981. The origins of this system are unclear and how it works is certainly a mystery, yet after working with this system for fifteen years, I am convinced that it yields valid results. Thanks, Dadaji, and may you who use this system have fun and gain a bit of insight as well!
Trigram Chart for Finding Hexagrams
To find the number of your natal hexagram, find the top trigram on the top row and the bottom trigram on the side row. Where they meet in the chart is the number of your natal hexagram.
To use this table:
• First find what the top trigram of the natal hexagram is by adding the numbers of the birth date across, like so:
Example:
Mr. X was born on April 29, 1911
April29, 1911= 4/29/1911= 4+2+9+1+9+1+1= 27 and 2+ 7= 9
The final key number must be between 1 and 9.
• Look at the Trigram Key Number Chart on pages 17-18 and find the correct trigram. In the case of our example, the top trigram is # 9:
• To get the lower trigram, look up the year of birth on the Date Chart (pages 19-22) and find the key number of the bottom trigram—depending on whether the subject is a man or woman. In the case of our example, the birth date being 1911 and our example being a man, the key number is # 8:
• So, the natal hexagram for our example would be a combination of the top and bottom trigrams we found, which you can look up in the Trigram Chart for Finding Hexagrams (page 15) or:
HEXAGRAM 39: OBSTRUCTION (THE PERSEVERING ONE)
Now, look up this hexagram in “The Natal Hexagram Readings” beginning on page 23, and you'll see the reading for Mr. X. Follow the same steps and find your natal hexagram.
You can also look up this hexagram in any other I Ching book to get some ideas, thoughts, and feelings about this person’s tendencies and influences.
Trigram Key Number Chart
For a better idea of what each trigram means by itself, see the Introduction.
Date Chart
| Year | Man | Woman |
| 1900 | 1 |
5
|
