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to no. 4 Illuminatus!
to no. 6 Cosmology/
Astrophysics
[5] I Ching
(Plum Blossom Numerology [PBN])
ABSAdomain no.: 5
[Primary] Knowledge type: Esoteric
Role in ABSAprime's worldview: High
ABSAlink(s): TBA [via ABSAdomain interaction]
Degree of Difficulty: Somewhat difficult
"The I Ching is not a simplistic book of fate but a profound tool for reflection and self-understanding. It teaches us how to align with the flow of nature and embrace change.” -- Alan Watts
"The I Ching is a mathematical oracle that provides a timeless, holographic metaphor for how reality unfolds in time. It shows the interaction of opposites and the necessity of balance." -- Terence McKenna
"The I Ching does not offer ready-made answers but rather an intuitive method to perceive hidden connections. It offers not only rational insight but also a deeper connection to the unconscious." -- Carl Jung
“what is above form is called 'Tao'; what is within form is called 'tool.'” – Confucius
Is this the greatest book ever?
I Ching —the legendary “Book of Changes”—is one of the most mind-blowing works in human history. Starting with just eight simple images from nature (think mountain, water, thunder, and the like), it expands into 64 scenarios that claim to serve as maps for every aspect of human life. When’s the last time you heard anyone say their system could explain everything? Well, I Ching boldly does just that, drawing on centuries of Chinese wisdom, including the “Big 3” philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism (especially the first two). Its insights are so deep that legend has it Confucius himself, on his deathbed, wished for 50 more years of life just to fully grasp it.
Our focus: Plum Blossom Numerology
ABSAprime's journey has been shaped by the wisdom of I Ching—a must for any domain to be declared an ABSAdomain--as it reshapes how we see the world. But for now, we’re zooming in on one specific gem growing out of this ancient text: Plum Blossom Numerology (PBN). This powerful divination method, with roots in 11th-century Song Dynasty China, was popularized by the legendary Shao Yung. True to ABSApundit’s core vibe, we’re all about testing esoteric knowledge by one simple measure: how useful is it to you ? In other words, does it fit into your toolbox for navigating life?
Starting with the ancient I Ching, the world's oldest oracle, Shao Yung created a unique system. He used numbers from one to eight, inspired by observations of the natural world—like weather patterns, animal behavior, or even the number of brush strokes in Chinese calligraphy. These observations were linked to one of eight trigrams—three-line symbols made of solid and broken lines. Two trigrams would then combine into a six-line figure, or hexagram, representing one of the 64 possible combinations.
You could think of PBN as an Eastern take on horary astrology (for a quick intro to horary, check out ABSAdomain10). While horary (which judges astrological maps based on the time a question is asked) has a distinctly Western feel, both that and PBN share a knack for answering specific questions like, “Should I marry outside my faith?”; “Is this antique worth anything?”; “Where’s my pendant?”; or “Is my missing pet okay?”
The big difference? Horary hinges on mapping the heavens at the exact time and place a question is asked. PBN, on the other hand, isn’t locked into that framework. Some PBN methods do rely on precise timing (though not geographical location), but it also taps into images and signs found in the natural world.
Let's look at an example
We know this might sound complicated, but trust us—it’s simple, reliable, and flexible. Let’s walk you through an example to show just how easy it is to get the hang of PBN. You’ll be able to master the calculation technique in just a few tries.
However, interpreting it? That’s a lifelong journey!.
Even though ABSAprime hasn’t used PBN in a while, back when it was part of her routine, she could crunch out answers in seconds—sometimes achieving a predictive hexagram almost instantly. This speed comes naturally once you’ve memorized the key trigram numbers (1–8), which you’ll use over and over again. For instance, the trigram number for the current year, 2024, is five—and it stays the same all year. The monthly number, as of the time of casting (May), is four. Once you’ve practiced assigning these numbers, the process becomes second nature—quick, automatic, and seamless.
Let’s dive into an example. Imagine asking this: "Should PBN be part of an ABSAdomain?" ABSAprime is asking me to throw this out there at 7:02 PM EDT on May 13, 2024. (Yes, we know—technically, since PBN is an iteration of the same principles as those from I Ching, which is already an ABSAdomain, that makes this question a bit off. Still, it’s a convenient way to walk through the process.)
First thing to check: which formula?
For purposes of this illustration, although we have a choice of several formulae, let’s use Early Heaven Formula One (please refer to the instructions above). Note that, in determining the trigrams using this formula, one uses both an image from the natural environment and the time the question is asked. Some of the formulae are more appropriate for some questions than others, but the process is still the same: you are choosing a point in time to link in a systematic way to the natural world. So, again, it’s “as below, so above.” What you have before you (as below) you may now use to probe the universe (so above).
Let’s keep it simple and sharp: For this example, we’re going with Early Heaven Formula One (check the instructions above). This method uses two key elements: a snapshot of nature and the time the question pops up. Different formulas fit different questions, but the process stays the same—you’re syncing a moment in time with the natural world. In short, it’s “as below, so above.” What’s in front of you (below) is your gateway to exploring the universe (above).
Just a heads-up: the numbers and attributions for the eight trigrams only apply to the Early Heaven Formula. If you’re working with the Later Heaven setup, grab a Later Heaven trigram map (you can find it here and here). Keep in mind, the Later Heaven method dives deep—it demands a solid understanding of I Ching and the Chinese language. Sure, it’s a big step forward in mastering PBN, and if you decide to go for it, we’re confident it’ll level you up. But hey, like we always say...it’s your call.
In our not-so-imaginary example (let’s face it, if we’re actually using it, it’s not imaginary but pretty real, right? 🤦♂️), the first step is picking the upper trigram.
Picture this: ABSAprime is outside in her work area, and she spots three small birds squabbling on top of a tall arborvitae nearby. That’s our scene. Now, for the upper trigram, there are plenty of numbers to choose from (remember, it’s gotta be 1 through 8—if it’s higher, just keep subtracting 8 until you land in that range). Once you’ve got your number, check the table and match it with the trigram tied to your situation. But with so many possible options, how do you pick the one that feels right?
Or, she could have just walked over to the table and grabbed the fourth trigram—Chen (aka the Arousing, Shock, or Thunder). No math, no fuss! Chen symbolizes plenty of things, but one standout is the vibrant growth of plants—think of the energy that bursts through ("arouses") as plants thrive and grow.
It might be a while before you’re familiar enough with what the trigrams signify to be able to make a connection almost instantaneously as you decide on the trigram/hexagram to use to predict.
That aspect, in our experience, is very important: deciding on the spur of the moment is vital to engaging the universe intuitively and, insofar as possible, without obvious artifice. You can do that with that keyword technique (picking the number of letters in a keyword is perhaps the easiest of all predictive activities you’ll ever engage in, and it’s nearly instantaneous), but to know which trigrams are associated with which phenomena? That is going to take a little time and considerable study.
So, what did ABSAprime do? She zeroed in on the three battling birds and made "three" the star of the show. In Early Heaven Formula One (EHF01), three represents the trigram Li—Fire, the Clinging.
What worked for ABSAprime is just one way to tap into the much bigger world of knowledge each ABSAdomain holds. You're in the driver’s seat here. Whether you dive into the ABSAdomains a little, a lot, or not at all is totally up to you. For the I Ching domain, we recommend checking out Plum Blossom Numerology (PBN)—it’s pretty easy to pick up and, honestly, super cool 😏.
And remember: these domains got to be “the Big 12” only because they worked for ABSAprime, and me. Furthermore, these are the first twelve (out of probably over twenty) that occurred to us when we were working out the original site design. (Grok that? We could, between us, popular another set of "Big 12" ABSAdomains, at least twice over!) One principle we decided to pursue was to pay close attention to impulses that occurred to us, largely without reflection. Really, how did a given domain get to be an ABSAdomain? Please don't be shocked, but it is simply because these were the first ones that occurred to us! It's that primacy of impulse that we (and we hope, you) should place in such high regard.
That meant she and I both left out, e.g., Bakthin's dialogic method (subject of her doctoral dissertation); the Tao Te Ching (subject of my Masters thesis); Dune Messiah (which inspired both her and me to become adept at prophecy (see ABSAdomain10), though in markedly different ways; and others as well. These and other approaches we have used, both with and in opposition to our "natuve" approaches, will be the subjects of future ABSAgrams, but for now, remember that ABSApundit is all about making it your own.
Plum Blossom Numerology,
Casting a Hexagram
Early Heaven formula, #1
Start by figuring out the Upper Trigram (a three-line symbol representing natural forces). Turn the situation into a number. If it’s 8 or less, that’s your Upper Trigram. If it’s more than 8, divide by 8 and use the remainder. For example, 33 divided by 8 equals 4, with a remainder of 1 (since 8 x 4 = 32, and 33 - 32 = 1). That makes it Trigram 1, Chien (the Creative).
The lower trigram comes from the timing of the prediction. Add up the hour, day, month, and year. If the total is 8 or less, that's your trigram. If it's more than 8, keep dividing by 8 until you get a remainder—that's your trigram. (For example, 12 divided by 8 leaves a remainder of 4. Trigram 4 is Chen [the Arousing].)
The Chinese calendar sets the year, month, day, and time. For example, 11 PM to 1 AM is hour 1, while 9 PM to 11 PM is hour 12. And the year 2002? That’s number 7.
Early Heaven formula, #2
We take a situation, a question, person, an image, etc., and turn them into two numbers that define the situation. We calculate the same way as Formula One, except the lower number is the top trigram and the higher number will be the bottom trigram.
Early Heaven formula, #3
Time plays a key role in figuring out both the upper and lower trigrams. The upper trigram comes from the month, day, and year of the prediction. The lower trigram adds the time of day into the mix.
Example: Got a call at 2:45 PM on January 20, 2002. For the upper trigram: January = 12, Day = 20, Year = 7. Add them up: 12 + 20 + 7 = 29. Divide 29 by 8; the remainder is 5. That makes the UT = 5, Schun.
For the lower trigram, include the prediction time (2:45 PM = 8). Add it up: 12 + 20 + 7 + 8 = 37. Divide 8 into 37; the remainder is 5. So, LT is 5, Schun!
To calculate the moving line, we add up the month, day, year, and time at the moment of prediction. If the sum is 6 or less, that number line is the moving line. Example: query at 12:58pm, January 20, 2002. 12 + 20 + 7 + 7 = 46, divided by 6 = 42, remainder = 4 (moving line).
For the lower trigram, include the prediction time (e.g., 2:45 PM = 8). Add 12 + 20 + 7 + 8 to get 37. Divide 37 by 8; the remainder is 5. So, the lower trigram (LT) is 5, Schun.
Later Heaven formula
The Later Heaven Formula is more difficult to use because the predictor has to be proficient in the Confucian bagua. In addition, the predictor must base number upon the Lo Shu and the philosophical text of I Ching. As well as understanding the cycles of the five elements, it also helps to be very intuitive.
For the lower trigram, include the prediction time (e.g., 2:45 PM = 8). Add 12 + 20 + 7 + 8 to get 37. Divide 37 by 8; the remainder is 5. So, the lower trigram (LT) is 5, Schun!
Two numbers are used to create the predictive hexagram, based on a keen observation of the situation. Example: seeing an old man and hearing a clap of thunder, then looking at the time. Thunder is Chen (3), the old man is Chien (6). The lower number is on top, the higher on the bottom. The time is used to calculate the moving line.
For the lower trigram, include the prediction time (e.g., 2:45 PM = 8). Add 12 + 20 + 7 + 8 to get 37. Divide 37 by 8; the remainder is 5. So, the lower trigram (LT) is 5, Schun.
Plum Blossom Numerology,
Trigram Sequence, in Early Heaven Formula
Plum Blossom Numerology,
what is signified
"As Below, So Above"
[Graphics by Descript's Overlord and Microsoft's Powerpoint. Background videos by Wix.com].
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