Softcover
ISBN 10: 1862041342 ISBN 13: 9781862041349
184 pages
First Published 1997 by Element, England
Edition shown and reviewed: First edition from my library
Rather than presenting the I Ching as merely a fortune-telling device, Karcher describes it as a living oracle—a dialogue between the individual and the continual process of change. His approach emphasises that the I Ching offers guidance for understanding situations, personal growth, and making wiser decisions, rather than predicting a fixed future.
The central idea running throughout the book is that:
- Life is constantly changing.
- Every situation contains opportunities and challenges.
- The oracle helps you understand the quality of the present moment and how to act in harmony with it.
This reflects a modern psychological and spiritual interpretation of the I Ching, while remaining rooted in traditional symbolism.
Karcher explains the practical mechanics of consulting the oracle in a straightforward way. Topics include:
- The history and philosophy of the I Ching.
- Yin and yang and how they create the sixty-four hexagrams.
- The symbolism of the eight trigrams.
- How to cast a reading using three coins.
- How to identify changing lines.
- How to interpret primary and resulting hexagrams.
- Ways to record readings in a journal and observe recurring patterns.
Unlike some scholarly translations, Karcher focuses less on philological detail and more on helping readers develop an intuitive relationship with the oracle.
Karcher’s style
Stephen Karcher’s writing is imaginative, symbolic, and deeply influenced by comparative mythology, psychology, and spiritual practice. He encourages readers to see each hexagram almost as a living archetype rather than simply a text to decode.
His style has often been compared with the work of Carl Jung, who famously viewed the I Ching through the lens of synchronicity. Like Jung, Karcher suggests meaningful coincidences can connect the questioner with the oracle.
Readers who enjoy mythology, Tarot, shamanic traditions, or symbolic meditation often find this approach particularly engaging.
The book is deserves praise for:
- Being very beginner-friendly.
- Clear explanations of how to consult the oracle.
- Encouraging intuitive rather than purely intellectual understanding.
- Rich symbolic and mythological commentary.
- Practical examples of readings.
Many readers find it less intimidating than classic translations such as those by Richard Wilhelm or James Legge. This was one of the first books I read on the subject and would agree ; it’s a great introduction.
Karcher’s work has , however, also attracted criticism from some scholars and traditional practitioners.
Common criticisms include:
- His interpretations are highly personal and symbolic rather than strictly historical.
- He incorporates modern psychological and New Age concepts that are not part of ancient Chinese commentaries.
- Readers seeking a literal translation of the original Chinese text may prefer more academic editions.
Because of this, many experienced practitioners recommend using Karcher’s book alongside a more traditional translation rather than relying on it exclusively.
Who is this book best suited for?
It is particularly well suited to readers who:
- Are completely new to the I Ching.
- Already enjoy Tarot, oracle cards, or other symbolic systems.
- Are interested in personal growth and spiritual development.
- Appreciate mythology and archetypal psychology.
His emphasis on symbolism and personal reflection has much in common with the way many modern Tarot readers work, making this a natural bridge into the I Ching.
If you decide to study the I Ching more deeply, an excellent progression would be:
- How to Use the I Ching by Stephen Karcher for learning the basics.
- The I Ching or Book of Changes for one of the classic translations with Jung’s famous foreword.
- Total I Ching, Karcher’s more comprehensive and advanced guide, which expands considerably on the methods introduced in this earlier work.
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