Chinese Occultism & Divination

Chinese Occultism

by Paul Carus

[1907]

DIVINATION.

An explanation of the universe which derives all distinctions between things, conditions, relations, etc., from differences of mixture, must have appeared very plausible to the ancient sages of China, and we appreciate their acumen when we consider that even to-day advanced Western scientists of reputation attempt to explain the universe as a congeries of force-centers, acting either by attraction or repulsion in analogy to positive and negative electricity. On the ground of this fact the educated Chinese insist with more than a mere semblance of truth, that the underlying idea of the Chinese world-conception is fully borne out and justified by the results of Western science.

While it is obvious that the leading idea of the yih is quite scientific, we observe that as soon as the Chinese thinkers tried to apply it a priori without a proper investigation of cause and effect, they abandoned more and more the abstract (and we may say, the purely mathematical) conception of the yang and yin, fell victims to occultism, and used the yih for divination purposes. When we compare the vagaries of the occultism of the yih with the accomplishments of Western science, we may feel very wise and superior, but we should not forget that it was the same fallacious argument of wrong analogy which produced in China the many superstitious practices of the yih, and in the history of our civilisation, astrology, alchemy, and magic. These pseudo-sciences were taken seriously in the world of thought throughout the Middle Ages and began to be abolished only after the Reformation with the rise of genuine astronomy, genuine chemistry, and genuine nature science. If the Chinese are wrong we must remember that there was a time when we made the same mistake.

The Chinese outfit for divination consists of fifty stalks called “divining-sticks” and six small oblong blocks to represent the hexagrams. These blocks are not unlike children’s building-blocks, but they bear on two adjoining sides incisions dividing the oblong faces into equal sections, so as to give the surface the appearance of a yin figure. The sticks are made of stalks of the milfoil plant (ptarmica sibirica) which is cultivated on the tomb of Confucius and regarded as sacred.

Pious people consult the oracle on all important occasions. They are first careful to make themselves clean, and then assume a calm and reverential attitude of mind. The diviner then takes out one stick and places it in a holder on the center of the table. This single stalk is called “the grand limit” (t‘ai chih), the ultimate cause of existence. He next lifts the forty-nine remaining sticks above his forehead with his right hand, and divides them at random into two parts, at the same time holding his breath and concentrating his thoughts on the question to be answered. The sticks in the right hand are then placed on the table, and one is taken out from them and placed between the fourth and fifth fingers of the left hand. The three groups are now called heaven, earth and man. The left-hand group is then counted with the right hand in cycles of eight, and the number of the last group yields the lower trigram of the answer, called the inner complement. This number is counted after the oldest order of the eight trigrams, viz., that of Fuh-Hi corresponding to the inverted binary arrangement. The upper trigram, called the outer complement, is determined in the same way.

After the hexagram is determined, one special line is selected by the aid of the divining-sticks in the same way as before, except that instead of counting in cycles of eight, the diviner now counts in cycles of six. Having thus established the hexagram and a special line in it, he next consults the Yih King which contains a definite meaning for each hexagram as a whole, and also for each single line; and this meaning is made the basis of the divine answer.

It is obvious that this complicated process presupposes a simpler one which, however, must have been in use in pre-historic times, for as far as Chinese history dates back the divining stalks and the kwa system are referred to in the oldest documents.
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Footnotes

34:21 Anu, Bel, and Ea are the Sumerian trinity. The words Bel and Ea are illegible on the tablet and have been restored by an unequivocal emendation. A doubtful word of the tablet has been translated by “omen” which presupposes that the translator regards the tablet as a means of divination.

Complete Text - http://www.sacred-texts.com/cfu/choc/choc03.htm

Divination Theory

Theory of Divination

by

Tim Maroney

(1990)

"'Divination' is the production of information by magical, occult, or supernatural means. Tarot cards, I Ching, astrology, and the other well-known oracles are forms of divination.

Many other forms of divination are known, such as the prophecying of the Pythoness at the ancient shrine of Apollo at Delphi; oneiromancy or dream interpretation; geomancy, divination by making dots in a tray of sand; bibliomancy, flipping randomly to a passage in a book (usually the Bible); chiromancy or palm-reading; necromancy, communing with dead souls; pyromancy or divination by flames; crytallomancy or crystal-gazing; ornithomancy, interpretation of the flights and cries of birds; and, of course, the Tibetan milk-bottle method of Special Agent Dale Cooper..."

Complete Essay - http://tim.maroney.org/Essays/Theory_of_Divination.html

Valentine's Day Floating Candles

Votive Candles Luminary Candles Floating Candles Tealight Candles Pillar Candles Taper Candles Glass Candle Holders Wedding Candles Restaurant Candles Jar Candles

Pink, white, and red floating candles are perfect for Valentine’s Day centerpieces. Place one of each color in 3 cylinder vases of 3 different heights, or place some of each color in a large glass bowl. Floating candles are inexpensive for decorating and instantly add a splash of color. Pink, white, and red are typical colors for Valentine’s Day, so floating candles in these colors would work for decorating or for gifts.

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How To Make A Dowsing Pendulum

How To Make A Dowsing Pendulum
Author: Shen Gerald

A pendulum is a very useful communication tool for spiritual inquiring. When used in conjunction with a chart, it can be used for dowsing and divination. It can be used for the following:

Provide Yes/No responses and answers to queries. This is similar to muscle testing or applied kinesiology.

Provide more accurate answers to queries, such as degree, intensity or percentage.
There are commercial pendulums available on the market. Usually they can be bought from shops dealing with metaphysical or new age stuffs. However these shops are quite scarce and can be quite hard to find. Alternatively, pendulums can be ordered online through websites selling them.

This article is about making a do-it-yourself (D-I-Y) pendulum for dowsing. If you want to save some money or commercial pendulums are not available for you, you can opt to make one yourself.

Actually, to make a pendulum is not that difficult. We can always find substitutes for the various parts of a commercially-manufactured pendulum. The parts that need to be substituted are:

The bob which is the weight at the lower end of a pendulum.
The chain which connects the hand to the pendulum bob.

For the pendulum bob, we can use any reasonably weighted object. I personally, use arrow shaped pendants. In fact, the smaller-sized fishing weights can also be used. Although, I much prefer some pendants over fishing weights as they are more visually attractive than the latter. Pendants can be bought from fashion accessory stores. As for fishing weights, they can be found in large departmental stores as well as shops selling fishing equipments.

For the chain, they can be acquired from fashion accessory shops that sell necklaces and chains. Metal ones are preferred. The length of the chain should not be more than a foot. In my opinion, 1/2 to 3/4 of a foot is quite ideal.

Once we have the parts, all we need is to assemble them. At the tip of the pendant or fishing weight is usually a loop or ring. We need to hook one end of the chain through the ring (or loop) at the tip of the pendulum bob (which is either a pendant or fishing weight).

Normally, most chains are made up of many little metallic rings. To assemble the pendulum, we may need to pry open one of the metallic rings (at one end of the chain) and insert the loop/ring of the pendulum bob through it. After that, we will need to re-adjust the metallic ring (on the chain) back to its original closed-looped position. A long-nose plier is most suitable for doing these fine handiworks.

That's all to making a pendulum for dowsing. Quite simple, isn’t it!
I hope this article is useful. Happy pendulum making.

About the Author:

The author runs a Self Growth site with pendulum dowsing and divination resources.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How To Make A Dowsing Pendulum

Middle Pillar of Light Meditation

MIDDLE PILLAR OF LIGHT MEDITATION
SUPER CHARGE YOUR AURA

This is an audio MP3 Middle Pillar of Light Headphones Only Version Digital Download. The download will be made available to you immediately after Paypal payment is complete. The file size to download is 27.81MB. Depending on your Internet Connection and Download Speed the Download time will vary.

Note: No physical product will be shipped, this listing is only for the Download version.

If you want to have the Middle Pillar Meditation Experience or have a friend or loved one who does, then you'll love this!

What you are looking at is a BRAND NEW MP3 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Middle Pillar of Light Meditation.

This is a must have! Why wait for a CD to be delivered through the post if you can download it after payment has been made! It's so easy!

The Middle Pillar Meditation is one of the most powerful and Important techniques for Strengthening the Aura, Balancing all aspects of the Physical and Non physical, Calming the Body, Increasing Vitality and Super Charging Personal Power to name a few.

This is a technique seldom taught or found outside of select groups and certain spheres.

Its basis is found in the Mystical Qabalah and the Tree of Life.

The Middle Pillar is a powerful harmonising channel which balances Universal Energies and Potentials with our own being and makes them readily available to us as we Journey through Life.

This MP3 can be used as a daily practice or as an aid for it also teaches the listener how to do this Powerful Exercise without the session.

The Middle Pillar is also an important tool for Psychic Protection as it Supercharges the Aura and turns it into a Psychic Shield so is incredibly useful to those who may be vulnerable.

In fact if you were to learn only one useful technique in your life this would be it.

The Middle Pillar employs the use of Sound and Visualisation as well as ancient techniques combined with the modern tool of Isochronic Programming to create a Powerful Easy to use, fast, efficient, safe and private system of changing how you interact with the world around you and the Universe in general.

In fact it is the basis for most systems of those who follow the Western Esoteric Path although you don't need to ascribe to any particular faith or religion for this to work for you.

It is suitable for the solitary practitioner or in group sessions.

Learn more about this dynamic process and method here.