Why is the I Ching Not Trending?

Timestamps:
00:40 I Ching, Levi, Carl Jung, Crowley, etc.
01:59 Spirit intelligences of tarot, geomancy, and the I Ching
03:14 Tarot vs. I Ching popularity differentials
03:36 Barrier of entry?
04:05 The I Ching at any level
--- 05:28 Chatting about Hexagram 6 (The Trial)
--- 06:34 Hexagrams 30 (The Spark), 31 (Mutual Accord), and 32 (The Eternal), narrative of love
--- 06:43 Hexagram 25 (Without Folly), Line 5 “勿藥有喜” interpretation and as a health blessing
--- 07:43 Hexagram 57 (Use Gentle Force) in folk magic and spell-crafting for prosperity
--- 07:50 Hexagram 63 (After the Ending), Line 3 “高宗伐鬼方” historical uses in exorcism rituals
--- 08:21 Hexagram 7 (The Army) “容民畜眾”
--- 08:30 Hexagram 49 (Revolution), Line 3 explaining three axioms for a successful revolt
--- 08:59 Hexagram 52 (Listen to the Wind), comparing exoteric and esoteric implications
--- 09:22 Hexagram 56 (The Wanderer), Line 6
--- 10:25 Hexagram 42 (Burgeoning), oft quoted proverb
10:55 Why don’t memes quote the I Ching the way we quote Rumi or Sun Tzu?
11:10 Speculations for why it isn’t as popular
12:08 Browsing the hashtags for sample content
12:44 I Ching in Human Design?
13:32 Browsing the hashtags continued; responding to social media content on the I Ching
18:15 “Bros” in online I Ching and Taoist discourse
20:00 Question presented and your thoughts
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Benebell Wen
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[@rifflinthemind.5793]

I suspect it is because the I Ching is harder to commodify, in that it's a challenge to gild yarrow sticks. Seriously though, I just read Chris Gosdens' book History of Magic and was struck by how little I knew about Chinese Taoist and shamanic magic vs Western magical traditions. And I grew up with a father who read the I Ching, the Book of Changes was on our bookshelves at home. In the last few years I found a Qi Gong instructor and it got me intrigued by the I Ching though.

[@AlbanAwan]

I think you make a good point. Lot easier to do a new tarot deck than an I Ching method. Same with Geomancy.

[@bettef9188]

but picking your own yarrow stalks and drying them for use...how cottagecore is THAT?

[@oyoyoyo7624]

“It’s a challenge to gild yarrow sticks” ⚰️⚰️⚰️🥹🥹😭😭 such a real thing to say lmao

[@kumikititap]

yeah, those yarrow sticks...and am awful with directions, right or left hand, so i use 4 different color of beads from my vase.

[@noonehere_kasut]

I don't know if I Ching is comparable to Tarot at all, other than the oracle aspect. imo Tarot is much more approachable to a general audience because of how visual it is. Artists for example like doing their own takes of the Arcanas, and people like looking at them regardless of whether they appreciate mysticism or the occult. The major arcana archetypes are also fairly easy for most people to "relate" to regardless of culture. I Ching on the surface appears to be more complex to the average person - It's not as literally colorful lol. Runes don't seem super popular either, at least compared to the Tarot. Some have also mentioned how people may find I Ching's Chinese roots intimidating, and that likely plays a role - People in the West especially don't have a lot of access to mystics with Asian roots that they may look to for guidance, and they may not want to dabble in something they don't feel they can understand well enough. I also feel Chinese culture as a whole can feel very inaccessible to the West unfortunately due to the current geopolitical climate, and also because of how Chinese is a fairly difficult language to learn (I'm saying this as a Chinese person myself lol). That said your explanations are very interesting, i'd love to see more about I Ching in the future :)

[@lucassiccardi8764]

You expressed everything I wanted to say very clearly.

[@tehutispeaks]

What you have spoken to here is the polarization of consciousness in divergent levels of development regarding the ancient West and East. Tarot and I Ching are not the same as far as level (rank) of Oracle. So their counsel is on different levels spiritually speaking. The Sephiroth here becomes an excellent tool for assessment of concepts in analysis of your comment. You refer to an affinity for the visual aspect of the divinatory tool. One would say that your polarization is in the third triad (the 7th sphere governing images and visualization) and perhaps it could be said that Tarot in its counsel is more appealing to this realm of polarization. Whereas the Yi based on a concise cosmological premise, evidences itself to be toward the 4th through 2nd spheres which are concerned with high spiritual principles. Wisdom has not to do with the clothing a thought wears (words and imagery) only the content of the truth contained as derived from cosmological principles. We are speaking of different hierarchical levels of involvement.

[@MJBAKANemoStrong]

All Mysticism is religion; I would go one further, saying even a belief of no Spiritual, no God, is religion; to me, everything is Nature, even religion. Spirituality is a complicated thing, Science too. I think with Tarot, it can be Liberating, the rules of Tarot can be broken, while maintaining the purpose. Tarot doesn't sit at the Top of my list, yet it gets my attention because of the Human connection. People use and know Tarot, there is Power in that. I Ching needs good sources; I know with myself, I want to start from the current straight to the beginning, work my way through the History. Honest sources, make that possible, as possible as it can be.

[@BuckleyandAugustin]

Agreed! The I Ching presents a philosophy, cosmology and prescription for living a balanced life in tune with Nature. It's almost fine it's not trending though, so as to retain it's potency haha. For the enthusiasts of Carl Jung I highly recommend checking out THE GNOSTIC BOOK OF CHANGES by Michael Servetus. I think you would appreciate this compressive take on the Book of Changes @Benebell Wen! Thank you for your amazing book and videos as well!

[@cassandrar5127]

I love i-ching. Tarot will always be my sort of first love in the divination world. However, i-ching is the most complex and sophisticated divination system on this planet, and I have been thoroughly enjoying exploring it and building my library on it.

[@rexnemo]

I would tend to think that the two methods are similar in that they attempt to draw randomly from a set of oracle items and then the user interprets the results and tries to fit them to potential actions and results .

[@sacredsortilege]

I loved this video. I Ching is something I discovered in my teens and had used it off and on for many years, but I never really embraced it until I had more life experience. When I was younger I went immediately to the hexagrams and the changing lines. Now I think more about the individual lines and trigrams - those building blocks of the hexagram - and that's really opened up my understanding of I Ching in a new way. I find for myself that I Ching requires more contemplation and thought in a way that tarot, runes, ogham and the like do not. In recent years I think concerns about cultural appropriation have definitely impacted the popularity of the I Ching. It definitely seemed to be all the rage back in the 60s and 70s - particularly with men. Perhaps that had something to do with it being more psychological and philosophical, than intuitive. Many of my women friends and those in the goddess spirituality world found the patriarchal language a turn off. I enjoyed your I Ching course and hope your book will open up the wonders of the I Ching to lots of new people! Your translation is wonderful.

[@94sweetgoats52]

I completely agree that the I Ching should be far, far more popular! I have to wonder how much content on social media on the I Ching is in English, and whether that contributes to it's popularity. But we shouldn't worry. I feel that the I Ching will soon have it's day!

[@brokeheartwolf3733]

Deep. Asian Martial Arts uses it at different levels. Those who practice styles like Tai Chi, Bagua etc use it on many different levels Nuff said.☯️🙏

[@inmeacerl]

Thank you for this! As I'm watching through this, I was wondering what do you think of the new ager's fixation on "manifesting" and the origins of this? I was just thinking about feeling there's a difference between divination and, what is termed, manifestation. Maybe there are some overlap? Idk. Not deep into either enough to understand, but I have some serious hesitations towards people who preach about manifestations, as a Chan Buddhist.

[@m00zs23]

I think Taoist Cosmology is just very remote to a lot of people in the west and it is considerably more complicated then the Tarot. It was fascinating to hear these perspectives on the I-Ching from western occultists... I also find it to be very clear and pure compared to my experiences with tarot, etc. I never thought of it as being related to the oracle itself -- but this makes a lot of sense. The I-Ching is extremely old... I think it is closer to the true order of change -- and so that might account for it being clearer and less prone to distortions. Edit -- I'll add that the perception in the west that the I-Ching is more difficult could also be cultural. Tarot is built off playing cards which most are familiar with from a young age... but the dynamics of yin & yang are not really engaged with in the west with any nuance... so that alone is a barrier to entry mindset-wise.

[@InternetSumerian-le6rp]

When I see people use tarot cards I immediately think its overly simplistic compared to other techniques they could learn about...I don't mean to be critical of people but I'd immediately be compelled to ask them if they have heard of the I Ching or Sahaja Yoga instead.

[@RobertoRodriguez-ce5et]

I just recently discovered your content and I can't stop watching, listening, and (maybe)learning!! So grateful for your depth and breadth of knowledge, your sense of humor, and your tuned-in hand on the pulse of current social, political, and cultural layers that intersect with this incredibly rich material. Thank you for being out there and for sharing your soulful observations, insights, and laughs! I have my own thoughts about why the I Ching isn't trending, but I want to finish watching your video. So good!

[@withlovecole]

I love the Iching and share info from the Kwan yin - I think Society is still coming into the awareness needed to understand the power of the transmission. I study it and share info on my channel! Thanks for your knowledge I don’t want to appropriate and my goal is to help it reach a wider audience 🌸thank you

[@BenebellWen]

I think it is extraordinary that you share and a much needed service. What you are doing is amazing! ❤️🙏

[@withlovecole]

@@BenebellWen thank you so much! 🤍 and thank you for these videos! I get to learn even better ! I def will be reading your book!🤍

[@markmartin2292]

Westerners want results in 18 months not generations. We want it now and we want it fat free, free trade, organic in a sustainable plastic free cup ....now.

[@nestor.valentino]

You would've been funny in the 1980s

[@minngael]

No, we want it deep-fried and we're not using chopsticks!

[@DavidConnerCodeaholic]

I’m really excited about this book. I only have one book with side by side translations in English and Chinese, but it’s the Mawangdui texts. I can’t exactly read Chinese but I know some kanji… but when I want more depth, it really helps. Also, a more thorough explanation of cultural references will be extremely useful. 😄

[@EKSKE]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention how absolutely obsessed Terence McKenna was with the I-Ching. We’re definitely in a psychedelic renaissance of sorts. Joe Rogan for example (pop culture) is a huge McKenna fan. As far as why I-Ching isn’t trending… I’m happy it’s not. It deserves time & depth, & needs it to penetrate. I knew of it through attending The Jungian Institute in SF. But it took me nearly 10 years before I really became obsessed myself. All of that being said. I think it’s on the brink of great popularity. I hope your book is doing well. I’ll be ordering it myself now that I know of it. 🖖💗

[@minngael]

yes not to be a snob but everything gets so watered down when it becomes popular. That's why I refer to "white people Buddhism" not because is for anyone of a particular skin color or culture but the orientalist baggage that gets brought into it. Same thing with Native American "spiritual teachings" the popular stuff like Sun Bear, Lynn Andrews etc is all fake. I just hate to see this wisdom packaged into spiritual McNuggets.

[@baoradcliffe9738]

I got a copy of I Ching recently translation by Alfred Huang. I hope you approve of this one. I'm getting through it . There's a lot in it-

[@NigelJackson]

I believe that this will be one of the most significant editions of the Classic of Changes published in many years and look forward to reading it.

[@SabrinaMidnight]

Maybe it’s not talked about in USA but I feel like it is more accessible in the UK. I remember learning about the I Ching in my 20’s through various uk based new age and divination based magazines. There were books in my local libraries, and I’ve seen a few oracle decks based on it that are current. I’ve met a couple of people who utilise the system, and in Glastonbury (the home for spirituality and Wicca in UK) I’ve come across workshops about the system.

[@morighani]

oh i’m super interested in the latin america connection. I know that Brazil has a history with Japan and we have many people of japanese descent here, they brought a lot of their culture and brazilians are the biggest weeaboo anime loving population you will get. Maybe it’s a similar situation with China and the spanish speaking countries? Is there a significant immigration event we can trace back in regards to them?

[@airmat9]

Hi Benebell, six months later your video washes up into my feed. Entertaining video, enjoyed all the sidebars along the different trails you explored around the video topic. I wondered if you’d had any further reflection or hand movement imagery 😊 in regards to (5:45) Hex 6 Conflict; ‘heaven moves up, water moves down’? It appears conflict is not ONLY two people or things butting heads but ALSO a force or feeling drawing them apart; whether vertically in the case of Hex 6 or horizontally. Curious how you might you touch on these ideas in relation to Hex 5 in your book? This contrasting idea of conflict as towards and away from is the kind of paradoxical meditation or enlightening insight I’ve experienced over the years with the Yi Jing. Thanks.

[@DrMARDOC]

I would absolutely LOVE to hear what you know about IRON ABACUS divination! -a Tao-Yo from a mountain in Taiwan

[@dnero6911]

Oooohhh, I love you! Shhhh... you're gonna get in trouble :P the i-Ching mixed with some Salvia Divinorum is especially transcendental in a manner of speaking.

[@mslue597]

As someone who's studying the I ching currently and does tarot and oracle amongst other things, my issue is the lack of sources to understand it more in layman's terms. This is partly due to what some people have already stated in that for one there's a heavy apprehension to looking into occult that isn't of your own culture. I myself don't do anything from mainly Caucasian folklore and practices because I'm not that but I still study it because on a whole my focus is to try and find ways we all connect. Maybe someone like Benebel or myself or anyone else in the community that studies the I Ching can help to bridge the gap in understanding but overall I think it just comes down to people in the community not wanting to touch something they feel isn't theirs to begin with due to the lack of understanding what's closed and what's open. There are still many who do closed practice things that shouldn't be that get in trouble for cultural appropriation while there are a lot of open practices such as the Taoist occult that people just think are closed because it's so far from what they understand due to the pagan and occult community being heavily west centered and therefore rarely if ever touching on eastern occult

[@ryanbranche9047]

Ok, I am probably not the best candidate. I am just a high school Spanish teacher, who learned the language over time and practice... but I volunteer myself to translate your book into Spanish...! It's a bit of a thing... but it's basically just copies of the I Ching on my bookshelf... which is small admittedly.. but ever since finding your videos, I´ve been on a binge. Tempted to get a dedicated notebook and take serious notes. I´m learning lots, and inspiration is accumulating. And plan to buy your text soon. let me know if you want a translator.... ps- usually for my senior students towards the end of the year, I like to do a small unit around the I Ching. I explain it to the students and have them consult and reflect on the process and reading in Spanish. Thanks again for awesome inspiring info and analysis.

[@froseed]

As mexican I love these videos and I've always been intrigued by the chinese philosophy. Now as an adult I find myself learning more and more about it and I hope to one day be fluent enough to read the texts as close to te original as possible

[@toadstooltarot]

I suspect the lack of widespread popularity has something to do with that old Asian adage that a picture is worth a thousand words, and many people don't find the hexagrams visually intuitive, whereas so many readers heavily rely on their intuition in the picture book quality of illustration in tarot decks. I do have an I Ching deck of cards that is illustrated, but it's limited to black and white slashes of brushstrokes with some red accents and the images aren't particularly evocative in a symbolic manner. Should somebody come out with a fully pictorial deck accented with hexagrams, I think I Ching could become more popular. I admit I'm a bit lazy when it comes to study, but I found the textual nature of I Ching confusing. I couldn't seem to follow or sort through the poetic interpretations. I haven't managed to track down my own Rosetta Stone of connecting information to make it a more usable system for me. ....yet!

[@jennekekempes7023]

Ma Deva Padma's Tao Oracle is based on I Ching, with very attractive and relatable artwork.

[@CitizenLutz]

You are correct in that except for DIY books the money isn't there. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, those that practice the I-ching tend to do so due to love for the art.

[@PlutoPlanetPower]

The I Ching has a completely different cultural context for most of the West. Tarot, Western Astrology, etc. are all a part of the greater Western culture, even if you don't know much about them. There's familiarity in tarot because of how much it relates to modern playing cards, plus it has clear visuals that depict easy to understand characters and symbols. The I Ching by comparison is much more abstract and requires starting from zero for most Westerners, and even Easterners now. Additionally, tarot cards have been very easy to commodify and there are tons of versions with different art, all of which causes people to promote it more because of capitalism too. In more recent years, there's also likely a fear of cultural appropriation for non-Chinese people practicing the I Ching. Also, racism.

[@timelessnugget]

I can think of two things. Tarot is more popular because pretty pictures. Yeah there's a few I Ching Oracle decks but it's not the same as three coins or yarrow. The other thing is yijing just feels more academic. It's 2000+ years old. Gotta get a reference book out to do a reading. I like that but most people want the pretty pictures. It would be cool if you made a yijing oracle deck. Anyway interesting video. Can't wait for your book!

[@LauraLoken]

My guess is that the western capitalist market makes tarot and oracle decks more prevalent since there are new decks coming out all of the time and less so with I-Ching. There are I-Ching decks but that is not the usual manner to consult the oracle. There are a lot of layers to understanding the I-Ching which many books previously only scratched the surface, so many people in the West are either not familiar with the it or are minimally informed. My hope is that your new book will create more understanding and interest in the I-Ching here in the US and throughout the world. I really appreciate your previous I-Ching self study course and can't wait to read the added material to the subject!

[@augusthavince8909]

Maybe people are more careful to not misappropriate another culture. 'Bros' wouldn't have any compunction about that, I think. There may be a lot more people interested, but they aren't putting themselves out there because of the optics of misappropriation or possible insensitivity. Also, people that live in a conservative area that tend to frown upon outside culture may be quiet about it because of the optics painting a target on them.

[@aLazyWitch]

Part of it (for white Americans, anyway) may be wanting to avoid cultural appropriation. We tend to be pretty quick to point fingers at each other over cultural appropriation.

[@barbaramcmahon1786]

I have such a problem with the furor over cultural appropriation. Cultures are not exclusively owned by people of any ancestry (I am not addressing that to you, just ranting in general) I have used /studied the I Ching for 35 years..In that time I have met quite a few Chinese people both from China and American born. None of them even knew about the I Ching or what it was!

[@DerekJohnThomas]

@@barbaramcmahon1786 I totally agree with you, and yet, perceived cultural appropriation was the first thing to come to my mind when you asked the question. It's not that I won't study it. I had a colleague/apartment mate who studied I Ching decades ago. I'll certainly bring it into my deep dive year into the Harris-Crowley Thoth deck. My personal beliefs about appropriation are much more nuanced than the greater online community. There are keepers of some traditions. If those traditions and the cultures from which they emerge are less than dominant, and the keepers of the traditions believe they should be reserved for use by their own cultural practitioners (peace pipe ritual, for example) then I believe they have the rite to be gatekeepers for that practice. If, on the other hand, the tradition is from a large and dominant culture, and even more so when the people of that culture are selling or presenting the cultural practice and paraphernalia (not the same as selling a replica of a peace pipe, however) for general use and consumption, then I think the appropriation card is off the table.

[@NigelJackson]

Ridiculous.

[@AlbanAwan]

Pretty much I see cultural appropriation tossed around way to casually, even seen Americans of Irish decent told celebrating Samhain, an Irish festival was cultural appropriation.

[@DerekJohnThomas]

@@AlbanAwanWow! way over the top, right?

[@jesusbeltran8670]

I’ve always seen the I Ching as a book of processes in humans represented by nature. How a tree grows is how you should grow.

[@pikolowet]

do you maybe have a newsletter? I often oscilate around your content, but would love to have some updates on my email

[@thedogdaddychannel507]

Just one last thing, it's extremely complicated. That's why it's not popular just that simple. It's like a deep deep pool people don't want to dive that deep for the most part

[@NYCHFAN]

I Ching was the first thing I got into when I walked away from the cult I was in. I really like it, although I never read that whole book. I haven't used it since starting tarot. Hmmmm, now I'm wanting to pull it out again. 😊❤

[@rifflinthemind.5793]

I would like to get a better understanding of the elements in the I Ching system because I don't think their difference from western concepts of the elements is all that hard to get over and appreciate. I worry that I have a limited feel of Mountain, Lake, Heaven etc when I look at hexagrams.

[@BenebellWen]

I have a video in the works on just that subject! 😁 I'm just having tech difficulty so it's taking longer than I expected. 😅 Creating all the images and slides and stuff is a CHORE. 😂

[@aetherealdoctor]

Because it requires a deeper level of study and a fast food commodification doesn’t approximate the true knowledge. I think there’s also a perception that it is only for people of Chinese ancestry.

[@MisterMeow-vt8kl]

The Book of Changes is my absolute favorite. The Sage has never misled me. I have done tarot before and sometimes it’s good, okay, or way off. There certainly is a Mystical Intelligence in the Yi-Ching or Book of Changes. I’m not Asian and I see Chinese Divination, Philosophy, Daoism, Buddhism, Feng Shui (geomancy), and Tea culture fascinating. I think many are sectarian , thus attached to dualism. The concept of non-duality, non-self, or even Bodhisattva way are concepts that transcend Western cultural norms, in fact I would posit, that it is a superior Way of Life. Your Book of Changes is excellent and high quality. Very generously priced as well for all the information one would get in any book I know of and I own five different Yi-Ching books. You have done an excellent service to the English speaking people. I have thus ordered your Taoist Book and look forward to cultivating sagely qualities. My experience is The Book of Changes is par excellence Oracle.

[@samanthasanders9919]

Conceptually, I found it very intimidating... but I am very much looking forward to learning more and your new book!

[@truechitherese]

You are a messenger of spirit intelligence benebell!!!! Love this so much

[@inmeacerl]

Also, I do think you're right about this bro energy around I Ching; probably more "erudite" and elitist bro energy gathering to study I Ching (because of the intimidation many have around studying it. The I Ching being a specifically Chinese, and less "universalizable" text for Westerners, does not seem as accessible in comparison to Tarot in that many non-Chinese do not have exposure or proximity to something that seems deeply intertwined with the Chinese language component? (honestly, i dont have the knowledge to strongly suggest this lol). As a Chinese-American, I actually have felt similar feelings of intimidation that you mention surrounding the I Ching. I'm feeling a bit more encouraged with this video to take a look!!! I did back in college when I did some research for my Asian humanities professor doing work on the I Ching but felt overwhelmed then too LOL.

[@InternetSumerian-le6rp]

I am glad Benebell demonstrated the He Tu and Luo Shu square because those definitely should be learned first before studying the hexagrams or trigrams.

[@jennamatlin8188]

This is a total sidebar but when I was in Jr High School in my library there was this "Chinese stick fortune" set and I legit would skip lunch to go to the library and get my fortune on every single say :D I recently found them once again online but was wondering if you know if they are a legit practice or something made up ala' egg yoo yung style. I know we can use yarrow for I-Ching but is this also related to I Ching? I so want to buy a set! And play with them AND your book?! How exciting!

[@BenebellWen]

Yes! The fortune sticks are totally a thing! There are a lot of different systems, so it is really hard to generalize. Essentially there are numbers or words on each stick. It's like casting lots. Once you pick one, it matches to a divinatory message. It is often the divination method of choice found at temples. It's often a tradition to go to a temple and get your fortune sticks red either on your birthday or on the lunar New Year. I'm not aware that there is any historicity of that particular divination method being connected to the I Ching, but I can certainly imagine that such a system has evolved to exist. 😊 So it would make sense that it's a thing!

[@DebonairDandy]

First off, thanks for this! I’ve hadn’t thought about it and now have to think a lot about my own past neglect of the I Ching, even as an Asian male, who’s dabbled in tarot, runes, and geomancy before dabbling in the I Ching - despite very much enjoying the Tao Te Ching. I want to anecdotally validate your idea of “I Ching” / Taoism “bros” because as someone who has also benefitted a lot from… “self improvement bros” I think a lot of “hyper efficiency gurus” hit a critical mass inevitably ten years plus after their initial popularity that usually leads them to Eastern philosophy and so the I Ching, Tao Te Ching by proxy. I feel that this allows a lot of men, myself included even despite being gay, to engage with more “femininity” in life philosophy that can still be tucked away under a lot of abstraction. Phrased another way, it’s easier for a lot of men, I think anyways barring exceptions, to relate to the idea of embracing “feminine energy” through abstraction- an open vessel, the receptivity of land and water, a void space - than to connect to an archetype - queen of wands, the empress, the high priestess. So then you have bros who have come from bro quotation culture who then sort of… evangelize “a new modality” for men that allows them to embrace more feminine modalities - but you can’t ever fully remove the bro from the BRO. But it’s a funny observation, and I can definitely validate, even if it’s just anecdotal 😂.

[@stuartshrigley-wightman4563]

I’ve found over the years that serious students of Magick work with I Ching. I came across the I Ching way, way back when I was about thirteen. I’m 56 there were practicing magicians in the town where I grew up that owned our first ever occult shop. Which caused a lot of controversy. They would discuss current world affairs using both the I Ching and astrology. I thing you hit the nail on the head. It’s not commercial and turned in to business as in mass produced yarrow sticks etc. but serious students get it and recognise it value.

[@jonathankoepersonal]

This video really got me reflecting. I’m a Chinese diaspora person who’s lost access to the language and had to assimilate culturally. I think there’s both animosity towards all things Chinese here in the West. As a result, there’s a range of response from lack of nuance and curiosity to downright racism from non-Chinese people towards living knowledge related to ancient China. To add insult to injury, many Chinese diaspora people also had to renounce their own cultures to survive and as a result, developed internalized racism or at the very least resistance towards learning systems like the I Ching. Additionally, Chinese is not an easy language to speak and I think people shy away from mispronouncing the names of the deities, elements, etc. I love this video and this discussion, Benebell. Thank you for writing this book for those of us who are curious to learn more. Such a gift.

[@BenebellWen]

And thank you so much for stopping by! Know that you are basically the reason I make these videos and what inspires me to continue making these types of videos. Otherwise I have no idea why I would do this. 🤣❤️

[@leifbennett1354]

​@@BenebellWenyou are the Bruce Lee of sharing this information. Same problems Bruce Lee faced; racism on every side. Pinion translation was and still is horrific. I started learning Kung Fu around age 8 approximately 1979, Shaolin at 12, 1983. Etc. studied the I Ching, Lao Tzu, Sun Tzu, etc from childhood. American Chinese were very kind sharing and happy to teach me. Mainland Chinese are very different than Hong Kong or Taiwan Chinese I learned. Vast differences like any large country. I've seen Texas racist, shocked me back in the mid 90s. As a refugee; I survived Vancouver Chinese racist, the most ruthless racist I've ever seen. Chinese Buddhist were more ruthless gold diggers than catholics; survived catholic abuse since diapers. So it was easy for me to see through the Chinese Opera acts. Free Tibet; let's see anything any Chinese person will say a word of truth about it? Dalai Lama is correct, Chinese are being short sighted. Step up, let's here a shred of truth about Chinese racism. Chinese are the most living in denial about their racism that I know of. There can't be a reverse Bruce Lee, because Chinese are to racist. I know, they will ostracize and kill you; like how they couldn't kill me. I appreciate your work thanks, it's steps in a better direction. Yet without truth about it; your denial will only continue it.

[@sidepriest]

The system I personally found eerily similar to the Yi Jing is IFA. Excellent video 🙏🏽

[@wulfsorenson8859]

Yes they both use a binary system.

[@elysethefloralninja]

It's too much thinking for the average person. 😂 I think the cultures are too different. You can't learn it without diving in to philosophy and hiw duferently Asuan cultures think. Then you have to retrain your brain, where as you can fake Tarot until it clicks, because it'a familliar. Then there's the language.

[@kgcat]

This video is how I learned it existed, so thank you. You're right I am very interested I think if someone like the Kardashians tried to profit off something that sounds chinese, they'd get slammed for cultural appropriation lol. I think that's one of the problems.

[@ClementiasCardsandQuests]

Here is my theory on the “bro” energy. When I watch Tarot videos I see mostly women. So if I started watching I Ching videos and it was 50 / 50 it would still feel like it was more masculine presenting in comparison. Maybe? Just a 💭

[@barbaramcmahon1786]

what is the I Ching translation you were reading from?

[@BenebellWen]

It's my own! I just had it printed for myself. 😁

[@alchemygal3285]

Ty so much. Your like the bruce lee of Chinese esotericism. He introduced kung fu to the world. You are introducing I Ching to the world that has otherwise been hard to find authentic and extensive sources on which is why the I Ching is not as popular as it should be… it could also be because of the amount of math and it’s hard process is very meticulous. But that second part should actually be a strength in over others imo. But really it’s cus we didn’t have someone like you. And no offense to those other Chinese speakers but they don’t articulate as well in English as do you, nor are they knowledgeable enough in the west to understand how to correlate and teach I Ching to the west the way you do… my assessment is that it was missing a person like you. That’s the primary reason. The secondary reason is it’s the hardest mathematical form of divination. Sometimes ppl go to fast food more easily than to cook better healthier foods at home. Cooking is just way more complex and time consuming than to just go to the nearest Mc Donald’s

[@jshellenberger7876]

Have a baby for me? “) #POW Voyance.

[@pjt1983]

First answer, has not trended because your book is not out yet! Second answer, I suspect the influence of the I Ching often goes without credit, reference, or even an understanding that the information came from the Book of Changes. Third answer, it takes bravery. What if a potential I Ching influencer does not want to be associated with or talk about, Jung, Crowley, or Human Design? What if they don't want to be incorrectly labeled as a "Bro", or accused of cultural appropriation? Etc. Fourth answer, Maths are a hard no these days. Fifth and final answer, studying the I Ching leads to a level of sagacity that needs not be discussed or shared with culture at large. Loved the video, Thank You! 🖖

[@nairbvel]

My introduction to the I Ching was the ongoing sidebar story found printed throughout The Last Whole Earth Catalog, where it was mentioned in passing a number of times as one or another character used it. (Come to think about it, now I gotta go look in my folks' basement, I think the book is still there.) It took a couple of years, but it stuck in my memory and I've been using it on & off since my early college days. So far, the worst "barrier" to entry that I've found is that, unlike tarot, there aren't really a lot of decent *free* smartphone apps for it...

[@alexkonsevick2040]

Oh man, thanks for mentioning there aren't a lot of I Ching apps. It's true! I want to connect with others about it via social media, and I'm also not super clear on where to turn in that regard as well. I'm super inspired to do something about it, though, especially moreso after watching this video and reading comments like yours.

[@FelipeZahta]

My opinion, and it’s just based on my narrow personal world view and experience with social media (mainly Instagram), is that the I Ching is not “aesthetic”. In Instagram we see lots and lots of cool looking pics and videos featuring not only illustrated Oracle and Tarot cards, but also crystals, talismans, altars, grimoires, old alchemical texts and illustrations, even intricate sigils, images of gods and goddesses, and even if the intention of the post is to educate or to entertain, there’s (most of the time) a aesthetic value to it. After all, Instagram is a social media based on aesthetics, isn’t it? It think that’s why I Ching Oracle cards show up when we search for I Ching, because it is a way of aesthetically present the Oracle in such social media. But it’s just my personal opinion and I more than open to change it.

[@freethenipple1]

You got the bro energy speculation correct. The bagua is a very masculine presenting symbol here in Australia. Many surf boards and car bumper stickers and tattoos will be if the bagua. And if you ask the owner of the surfboard or sticker what it means they'll usually have no idea of its use or have a very surface level understanding. Also, when I try to speak about the I Ching to a more feminine presenting person they lose interest pretty quickly and get bored of the binary coding and maths of this form of divination.

[@InternetSumerian-le6rp]

The I ching isn't very useful to try to get people to follow someone elses political or religious following. It's about inner understanding so therefore trying to use it as a tool to manipulate people falls flat on the face. Something I learned: While there are 2x2x2, or eight, trigrams. 2 to the exponential power of 3. Then there are 2x2x2x2x2x2 , or 64, hexagrams. 2 to the exponential power of 6. 8x8 grid forms 64 hexagrams

[@MJBAKANemoStrong]

I think, as long as you have a structure to the purpose, you can achieve. Language is not just Words, its all the senses, involving all Life; its also the physical outside of Life; we communicate by engaging. For things outside of Life, how we touch influences the outcome, for things inside of Life, how we touch, influences the outcome. Without air, our Vocal cords are close to Useless; without air, our ears serve very little purpose; everything is touch, in a Universe where nothing touches; nothing to me, seems to be something, quite substantial. The Relevance of I Ching, is Language, Languge is Touch. Even the Light Touches the Eye; or does it? I Ching is something I don't know much about y'all, though its definitely Relevant.

[@DavidHunter-n8p]

Could it be because the I Ching is very straight forward with little room for mental manipulation?

[@redsamson5185]

the yijing needs to be spread by chinese folk religionists so we can approach the yijing from the correct cultural context.

[@theCleromancer]

Thank you so much Ms Benebell for all your information! You are one of the very few links to Chinese culture that I have discovered (so far) that is not only knowledgable but interesting. I personally find the I Ching to be incredibly useful. My theory about your question is simple language barriers. I started my divination journey with Tarot and still use cards most often because of their popularity and ease of use. Despite that, I treasure the I Ching so much more than Tarot. In my experience, I personally find the I Ching to be directly linked to God. The Sage is the Great Teacher who does not put everything in simple black and white because a true chun tzu will meditate on the ambiguities presented and discover truths for himself. Ironic since the I Ching is literally just black and white. Plus the I Ching is incredibly difficult to understand and doesn't come with pretty pictures to back it all up. (I have used I Ching cards...but they just don't offer the same oompf with the insight they provide as a traditionally cast hexagram.) If the I Ching got as much love as the bible gets, it would be so much easier to understand. The bible has like a trillion translations, the I Ching has like 10. 😂 I still struggle on intuitively reading hexagrams without the ancient commentaries, and even then some of the imagery is just so hard to relate to today. The imagery of maidens and old kings and references to stocks and cangues are just a bit much for the vast majority of everyone. Plus while cards just pop out of a Tarot deck, you have to have such focused attention to your query when you create a hexagram ESPECIALLY if you use the old school yarrow stalk method. Yarrow stalks I reserve for deep conversations with God and simply doing it properly without losing track of how many sticks I am holding can be deceptively difficult. I'm definitely ADHD and focus is so easy to lose mid-cast. It just takes more Work, and (personally) I think that makes God so much happier when I communicate to Him through this method. (Of course we know it is Him communicating to me, not the other way around.) It shows I truly value what He is trying to say. Basically in a nutshell, I find I Ching to be directly linked to Source, and let's be honest: not everyone who practices divination is looking for advice from The Sage let alone how to advance the Work. I am. I hope my viewpoints aren't offensive, and I am grateful for all of your knowledge you share. I know I use the I Ching is a slightly different way than it is traditionally used...mainly in who I believe I'm talking to. Thank you so very much!! 🤩☺🙏

[@buddhabro.9130]

I want to get your book on the I Ching when its made available in September. Do you recommend I get a copy of the I Ching text itself to read alongside your book? If so which English translation do you suggest?

[@minngael]

Well, I am one of the least trend-following people, even among metaphysical/esoteric/Pagan circles...what i find odd though is that many other forms of Chinese spiritual arts are very common, qi gong & tai chi, Taoism (though often in a somewhat watered down hippie form I suspect) martial arts etc. I will say that the hexagram phrases remind me a lot of both the various rune poems and wisdom sayings like the Havamal or even Irish and Welsh triads. I'd be curious to see what parallels can be found.

[@GringaGringa123]

The I Ching has been trending in my house I’ll tell ya but that’s mostly because I got the SKT and it’s made it easier for me Edit: I feel an I Ching Revolution coming

[@EstrellaTarot]

Iching is very profound. When I want a very good advice and a right approach to a complex situation, I ask iching.

[@Piaui04]

Did you ever translated the book to Spanish? My family and I lived in China for two years. We are Spanish speaking and my father, an army officer, got into the I Ching and would do readings for us.

[@S3nec4]

Philip K. Dick was obsessed with I-Ching. He performed several consultations while writing his books, and for taking personal decisions. Maybe the most explicit influence is found on The Man in the High Castle, where even a personage (crearly an alter-ego of Dick) comments that he wrote a book with the guidance of I-Ching.

[@spy8464BB]

I have wondered the same question. I think the I-Ching far surpasses Tarot. I have done many searches ultimately to find nothing. Probably something to do with $$$$$$$$ And selling Terot Cards.

[@minngael]

I don't know any Mandarin but I do speak Spanish, didn't think that would come in handy here! There are some Chinese people that went to Mexico and some Caribbean countries so perhaps that's where the connection comes in. Connecting with indigenous roots can be difficult for many folks, there has been so much suppression & genocide so perhaps they look to other cultures and feel a compatibility with Chinese traditions.

[@TrufflePigRadio]

Maybe you should write a New I Ching for the Kardashian class. Call it "The Kardashian I-Ching" Use mostly Slang. Instead of Hexagram 24 "Return". Maybe title it " Comes back 'round" Make it really simple for the State of Yo.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2XVgZyqfbuceNE

[@artstrology]

The first 20 hexagrams match the 20 days of the Maya, so you can follow the days and gauge events to calibrate yourself, but the days are very consistent, and easy to follow. It is the calendar of consciousness. 21 - 56 are the 36 decans, and those too, are easy to follow. So each day, there is a hexagram for that day, and another one for the decan. So today is April 6 2024, and this is day 14, and hexagram 14,... in the #2 Aries decan of Horse of the Hindu, hexagram # 22. By comparing the different decan systems, you can easily see the correlation. One is the 36 views of Mt Fuji. Those are intentional images of the 36 decans.

The Tarot became popular because it offers financial opportunities through the countless possibilities of artistic representations on the cards. Additionally, with a little learning, anyone can use Tarot readings. There are fewer rules, and everyone can interpret what the cards mean to them personally; it's not rigid, as the artistic depictions can have numerous meanings. Sometimes, people base their interpretations not on the traditional meanings of the Tarot cards but rather on what they see in the imagery. Since it doesn't require extensive study, many charlatans and quacks can take advantage of the benefits of Tarot.

[@newpractice]

it strikes me as simple anti china energy, which is manufactured a lot here in our mainstream. on the other hand, buddhism/daoism was "taught" to me in my american school, by catholics, as this other cool list of rules to get into. we were over that by that point. but then you start to see the yin yang all around you, and you feel it in your body... to me a book is like... why would I read complicated puzzle stuff when I can move around and meditate and look at waves. we also have a lot of pop media about staying in the moment, feel the rain on your skin etc. your channel is the only time I've enjoyed the academic aspect 😄

[@StephenCooteNZ]

I discovered the I Ching through the writings of Joseph Murphy. I bought several of his books including "Secrets of the I Ching" about 17 years ago when I decided to be 'naughty' and read material that was not authorised by the church I was raised in. Just recently I wanted to re-acquaint myself with the I Ching so I had another look at the Murphy book. While Mr Murphy is certainly 'on to' something, I've been bothered for a while by how many times in his many books he quotes dramatic examples of how peoples lives were saved through spiritual insights... and while his stories may be true, it seems strange to me that this guy knew so many people who avoided being in car and plane crashes. So... I figured I should look at another book on the I Ching. After watching a 'Foolish Fish' review of the Benebell Wen book, I downloaded a Kindle version and I am appreciating what seems to be a more pure approach to the subject. It is likely that I will get a paper version of the book as it is a really good one. Thanks for your incredible devotion and knowledge Benebell... best wishes from New Zealand.

[@SergeyShL]

It's because it's SO chinese. Most of translations are brought w/o any commentary tradition, which explains quite a lot. Short sentences with details and terms of 1000 year BCE for unknown for the wide world civilization - yeah, what could go wrong.. 😄 Also translations are quite amorphic and reflect more development level of translator then the text message (exactly like Tao Te Ching translations). So you need to learn some chinese characters, which filter out 99.5% of population. I'm not talking even about wenyan, or even more ancient chinese language. This is the problem with all symbolic and very ancient texts, though. Tarot though is already "translated" to visible cartoons, you have the picture, some very common and accessible interpretations in european languages inside western culture and don't need to switch you brain to eastern state of mind. That's why it's so easy for westerners. And I Ching is more like this fancy chinese stuff that nobody understands and too complicated for instagram quoting. People will be confused if they need to think more than 3-4 seconds, it just breaks the vibe.

[@njabs8960]

Im based in South Africa. Been using the I-Ching for 12/13 years. Personally, I'm glad it isn't trending. As a system it is pure, authentic, and rewards long term engagement and integration into life. The new age would absolutely ruin it. A part of me wonders if the intelligence(s) behind the system actively inhibit it being sullied. Side note: there are huge similarities between ancient Chinese beliefs and daoism, and the traditional beliefs (not so much religion) of Southern Africa's indigenous population. From the role of ancestors, to certain forms of osteomancy. At this stage, I have come to assume a currently unidentified primordial common source.

[@tapir.lepirodae]

Very interesting video! As a Thelemite, I'm have recently started studying the Yijing only reading the hexagrams (without using the text), and so far, despite my inexperience, it has been very effective, and surprisingly accurate.

[@doctorgrigori585]

The I Ching is not trending because we don't have a POP I Ching version the same way we have pop Astrology or the way Tarot managed to get into pop culture. In the 60s we almost had that but Tarot visuals and Astrology 12 "easy" archetypes won the pop culture "battle"

[@QuickStrikes84]

It’s pretty complicated for the average and basic rando. Hard to encapsulate in 10 second TikTok videos. And I prefer it that way. 👍

[@robertbruner7429]

Every aspect of almost any subject is complex once one moves beyond the surface, so there is that, and as mentioned in the video, perhaps the barrier of entry is too intimidating. Or perhaps at a more mystical level the vortex surrounding the energy of I Ching is protecting itself from the casual observer. Perhaps the I Ching as a conscious entity prefers not to self promulgate through social media to the extent that Magick, Thelema and other esoteric systems choose to do. Back to reality, I really don't believe that's what's going on with the trending. Magick, demonology, witchcraft etc. have been highly amplified by Hollywood bullshit, and people believe what they see on TV and in movies. Hollywood and sensationalist writers have sold notions of what these things are that are far removed from their reality. People seeking to control others...and they number in the millions...are attracted to the hype. I Ching hasn't had that kind of publicity. Its practitioners should consider themselves fortunate.

[@HarrySashimi420]

I'd say take all this as a compliment. Let this sleeping dog lie. Those who truly seek knowledge and wisdom will knock on your door, Benebell. You don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry trying to manipulate this into plastic amazon toys. It's the lesson of the ouija

[@TheGIGACapitalist]

I do find it interesting you bring up the bro energy of Taoism online. I've noticed that and I think the western perspective may be someone unconsciously influenced by it. I played with some AI art generators and when you put "Tao" or "Taoism" you get women and feminine things however if you put "Taoist" it's all men.

[@challisaine10]

Astrology and the Tarot were the rabbit hole that led me to Human Design, which led me to the Gene Keys, which ultimately led me to the I Ching. In a time where people are finally casually asking me what my moon sign is I’m responding with the 6th line of the 15th hexagram... it’s a little off putting for them //right now// but they’ll eventually catch on. This is how all trends have happened in my experience. I wouldn’t totally knock the human design/gene key systems it seems to be the bridge:))

[@thegroundedcircle]

I think maybe because Chinese the language is hard to learn therefore the I Ching isn’t as popular? Plus, needed some figure that made it popular like with how Swami Vivekananda brought yoga to the West & it spread from there

[@tigercloverorchidowl]

I also wonder this! Love the I Ching. I find it just as fun and accurate as other systems, but with its own feel and personality, understandably. I'm not Chinese, but I am 2nd gen Asian/South Asian American. My speculation and experience is that the Western world isn't into the I Ching for the same reason they're not into TCM as much as ayurvedic medicine: prejudice. The West has no problem getting into ancient Indian traditions (either sincerely or not), but not Chinese. I just don't get it, but I can't say I'm surprised. But, I can only speculate from my experience. I could be wrong. Thanks for this video and looking forward to your new book!

[@simont.b.2660]

Oh, in my humble opinion, it is simply because tarot decks are cards and the Yi-Jing is a book. That could rebuke some. (I am writing this mainly for the algorythms).

[@angelo8424]

For me, I get discouraged every time I flip through the I Ching- It looks like too much to learn in a reasonable amount of time- Like learning Mandarin, and I'm 65.

[@Venefica82]

I think that for me while I have had accurate readings with the I Ching, casting lots or laying down cards or scrying and then using both intuition and knowledge of symbolism work better for me than to generate symbol and then reading what it means and yes interpreting that, but still reading something from a book, it felt like I was less involved in that than with Tarot. But that might also just be how beginner I Ching books are often formulated.

[@sarpsays]

Even I've noticed this.. I Ching has been crazy accurate for me with my divination practice. More than Tarot.

[@OMIntuitiveReadings-cf2wo]

I'm with you, Benebell. I love the I Ching and consult it at least once a week. It can be a chore to suss out what it's saying at times but that strikes me as a good thing because you really have to look deeply into the question (and answer). Maybe that's why it doesn't trend; it asks the person reading to think. A guy named Z. Mann Zilla has made up a set of cards to do readings. I haven't bought them because I live in Cambodia and mail isn't that reliable. They can be purchased at Artisan Tarot and I plan to buy a set when I go home on a visit. I imagine it will be a bit superficial but that might spark some interest in others. He does recommend looking at books to supplement his cards. I do weekly readings using a translation by Jon Saint Germain because they are simple, but then I consult the Baulkin translation and, since your book has come out, I add that, too.

[@DR_1_1]

11:11 most people want more money and a good partner, and the I Ching obviously can't help you for that, even if some synchronicities are baffling... About tarot and YT trends, I never searched anything related to it, but looking for astrology events, I get more videos about tarot than about astrology! Just shows how bad Google and AI search engines have become, I suppose.

[@cyberidiot12]

I Ching; "the oracle of the cosmic way" translators, Carol K. Anthony and Hanna Moog and other explanatory titles

[@frombeyond5]

I sometimes explain the situation or my question in detail to chatgpt and then insert the hexagram I got. And the interpretation is just flawless and almost always on point. I am so happy to find your channel. I feel like we could totally be friends if we were geographically close.

[@strohbaron]

Because there are not so good translations from Chinese literature. That's the reason I found your good book about this. Thank you! 🐯

[@KryxtianBlack]

I feel that God (the 'Great Omnipresent Divinity, aka the Source and Animator of all that is seen and unseen) operates behind I Ching. I also feel that it's not 'trending', because it is a direct connection to that Source Spirit, with no middlemen. I feel that this actually makes its wisdom inaccessible to some, who are much more interested in having their perceived inadequacies validated by lesser spirits than in seeking and finding and understanding the actual truth. Terence Mckenna spoke on how the I Ching is the secret to life, evolution, and possibility. I agree. It is so simple. I Ching has given me a practical way to approach God; something I can't possibly understand with my human facultative mind, but am faithful in putting my trust in, nonetheless. I am grateful for I Ching, and all the answers it has given me.

[@johnrborges2363]

I had learned that the 'I CHING' is less mystical, and more practical when one heeds the suggestive advice it gives you in an oracle. It is never a conclusion but a suggestion on what choice one should make to further ones path. Sometimes the suggestion is to wait, or to take a back seat in a situation, or not to show ones prowess, because in doing any of the three may hinder ones progression to succeed. Sometimes waiting ones turn is better to cause 'The Creative' to open a door for you; and even so, one must enter in with humility, lowliness and caution. One can only understand the I CHING by obeying its recommendations for living virtuously among all earthly elements. To live virtuously is to live in godliness, but not all walk virtuously. Thus, - THE I CHING.

[@dianakanlee]

I don’t see why it needs to trend? A lot of the current trends for tarot and reiki etc are very commercialised. A lot of “love” or “sp” readings, or “sending healing energy” topics, and yi jing for me is a lot more about surrendering to nature and feeling the flow of change. People don’t necessarily like to hear that. Tbh even the Law of Attraction material is surface level compared to the Dao De Jing. I don’t know how many Western-influenced English speakers are able to hold space for the nuances of Chinese text without learning Chinese.

[@natebookout1353]

I wonder how many of those millions of influencers talking about the Tarot discuss it with the level of intellectual integrity and seriousness you bring in this channel. Probably a few, but I would bet not many more than the couple hundred thousand talking about the I Ching.

[@jacobstarotreadings]

I Ching is something more towards fortune telling and I like self-discovery type readings. But I used the I Ching every once in a while. But I never looked into it with self-discovery until I got the SPK. But I'm also 22 years old and I started learning the I Ching maybe when I was 17? But for the most part, I've been reading tarot since I was 9 so I've stuck with that.

[@mikehickey692]

The bros like karate, kung fu, amd UFC. I ching reminds them of that, so they use it to try to have deep thoughts, and score chicks. They are at the gateway of occultism, but have not yet found the key to the pearly gates (of Aphrodite).

[@withlovecole]

Also I saw the bro energy and that’s why I share the Kwan Yin book of changes - the Iching written in matriarchal form- I’m excited to see the feminine coming back to this plane ❤❤