I Ching Options

It just seemed to be missing . . .
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I've been practicing with the coins for a couple of years now, and although I'm a complete newbe beginner . . . I've found them fascinating and very informative.

I'd like to open this topic on the I Ching for general discussion and as a self-centered opportunity to get information from more knowledgable/experienced I Ching'ers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

First a question . . . I was recently rereading the intro to the Wilhem/Baynes The I Ching, when I noticed that it seems the recommendation is to address the BOOK as the spirit animated source for the I Ching.
I'd always been addressing (asking my questions of) the coins . . .

Is addressing the actual book others normal practice? . . . if so, then what am I feeding when I offer incense smoke to the coins?


(just an aside . . . I feels like I get a more direct and informative answer when I do addess the BOOK!! . . ???)

What other questions , practices suggestions , theories , opinions do everyone else have on the I Ching ?

For coins, I just use a bunch of old pennies set aside in a special container.

I like the version by Kwok Man Ho and a couple other people. I believe it's called the Fortune Teller's I Ching. I also use the Blofeld translation, usually when the Kwok translation's not entirely clear. I believe you can find both on Amazon, I found both of mine years ago on the used racks.

Kwok & Co. give a slightly different method for using the coins. I like it better as I find it to be far more straightforward than the 'traditional' methods. If you can, find a copy and see what works for you. The I Ching, for me, is good if I want a straight answer w/out a lot of extraneous information such as Tarot cards provide. If I really need to get to the heart of a matter and see all the ramifications, then I Ching doesn't work as well for me. JMO.