I Ching, the Oracle

A Practical Guide to the Book of Changes: An updated translation annotated with cultural and historical references, restoring the I Ching to its shamanic origin

By: Benebell Wen

Narrated by: Wyntner Woody, Benebell Wen

Benebell Wen’s (Holistic Tarot and The Tao of Craft) historic new translation of the I Ching brings the power and mysticism of The Book of Changes to contemporary readers.

Through in-depth annotations, cultural and historical references, and magical practices, Wen amplifies the wisdom—both profound and practical—of the 3,000-year old text. She includes aspects of the I Ching that have never before been translated into English, offering fresh perspectives on a classic work.

Rooted in her experience and knowledge as a Taiwanese-American occultist and Buddhist with deep family ties to Taoist mysticism, Wen's groundbreaking translation is accompanied by a critical analysis of earlier I Ching transmissions.

Readers will learn how to:

• Situate the I Ching within its historical and cultural context
• Interpret the hexagrams and utilize various divination methods, such as yarrow stalk, coin toss, cowrie shells, and rice grains
• Work with the I Ching for personal guidance and developing intuitive wisdom
• Understand correspondences of Taoist mystical tradition with other schools of metaphysics, including shamanism, faith healing, and soul retrieval
• Approach the Book of Changes as a grimoire and attain a foundational understanding of the eight trigrams and Wu Xing five alchemical phases

Whether you’re new to the I Ching or an experienced occultist, I Ching, The Oracle will deepen your understanding of esoteric Taoism and the art and craft of divination. Highlighting the two main schools of interpretation—Image and Numbers and Meanings and Principles—and exploring Taoist cosmology, mysticism, ritual practice, and the shamanic origins of the I Ching, Wen provides you with everything you need to apply the I Ching for life guidance, spiritual practice, and ancestral connection.

Eye and Inner Spirit Awakening

I enjoyed this book as it gave great background to the I Ching. It also explained quite well the many aspects of the use of this ancient divination, so to speak. This book also laid out very well the detailed interpretations of each of the 64 Hexagrams. As listening to the audio version of this book, I suggest that if one is serious in administering this Book of Change to their practice, then a physical book is great to have on hand. Although one can always go back and listen to each Chapter of each Hexagram for reference as well. I am so pleased to have been guided to learn more of the I Ching by way of Benebell Wen's profound book here.

informative on cultural history

I enjoyed the history surrounding the i-ching.
my only wish is that I wish it was unabridged so I could have read along with the book, maybe I'm weird but I like to do that sometimes with books. overall it was good I thought

Comprehensive Journy

Benebell has done it again. this isn't only the I Ching. if the I Ching were the living breath, then Benebels extensive yet easily retained masterpiece of history and deep dive into societal relevance would be the body we in the west have all hoped for. from the primordial creation and revelation of the book through the warring kingdoms use and aristocrats rite of scholarly passage, the I Ching and it's importance are fleshed out providing a chain of custody and reflection that surrounds the book. delving into mythos, and the vary shamanic paths through societal relevance to how we individual relate to the wisdom, it's all here. If you're not satisfied with what the authors has laboriously compiled and obviously spent years meditating every angle, then no commentary or history will. for the practitioner and scholar both, each will be satisfied.

Well written but poorly Performed

update:
I already have the written text, but I wanted the audio version for listening. Benebell starts off the introduction with that warm, uplifting tone that I have become accustomed to. But then, out of nowhere, the narrative is picked up by Wynter Woody (who, what, why), and no offense intended to Wynter, but you are not the one and only Benebell!!! and at that point, the audio lost all of its appeal.
Please, Benebell, this was an error of judgement. I know your time to work on this is highly restrictive because of your day job (lawyering and all), but geewhiz, I bought the warmth and enthusiasm that only comes across by you, girl! Don’t underrate yourself and the magic that you are.