Compiled by Michael James Hamilton, L.Ac.

PREFACE TO TAOIST DIVINATION (DAOZHAN): Realization of Truth

“The holy sages were divine, hence they knew the future; they were wise, hence they stored up the past.”- Yijing as quoted in Da Liu

The word Tao (dao) means “way,” or more specifically “way of truth.” This book concisely presents methods of Taoist divination (zhan), or mystic mathematics (shu), which is structured by an intricately unfolding pantheon cosmology. Taoist divination provides the practitioner with a clear perspective of the source of creation through the application of the philosophy of nature. Focusing on the source, improves the quality of life by defining the path of immortality, which is followed by the Taoist adept (daoren) for becoming the sage (shengren). Divination is fundamentally applied as a cosmological code (earth-external) and philosophical guide (heaven-internal) for facilitating the success of interior alchemy (neidan) (the process of returning the spirit to the divine origin).

The more one understands the reality of nature, everything that is known and unknown, the less one uses words like “magic,” to explain reasons for its happenings. Divination, or mystic calculation, is the art of inviting divine intervention through the recognition of significant portents evident in alignment patterns in nature. It allows its practitioner to act with the grace of the divine. The divination arts were intermingled with other mystical Taoist arts such as ritual, music, martial arts, interior alchemy, and writing (calligraphy and talismans), in order to make efficient use of the incoming primordial energy (yuanqi) associated with a related particular time or place.

When the ideogram for divination (zhan) is broken apart, the upper radical translates as “upper” and the lower “mouth.” This analysis of “upper mouth” implies the meaning “divine message.” The interpretations of divination, particularly the methods of astrology, a derivative of astronomy (mathematics in space-time), prompted the derivation of Yijing (Book of Changes) oracle symbols, which lead to the invention of writing. Divination opens communication with heaven through various conjunctive methods. Correct timing (astrology), orientation (geomancy), and design (alchemy) allows the revelation of the oracle to whisper the way of truth.

Taoist divination makes the unpredictable predictable through the interpretation of evident natural patterns. It is the mathematical tool that observes a natural philosophy (spiritual principles) for regulating an intuitive practice (physical instincts). Divination is a way of formulating intuitive ritual through mystic calculation. It transforms the concept of coincidence into integrated event synchronicity through intuitive interpretation. Since prediction and calculation have the same meaning in Chinese (suan), they did not distinguish between numerology and mathematics.

“Numerology is the mathematics of metaphysics.”- Da Liu

Taoist divination, a diagnostic discipline of Taoist medicine, is the art of understanding reality (predicting portents) by utilizing such modalities as astrology, geomancy, Yijing calculation, and analysis of the face, body and hand. Astrology predicts the inherited fortune (karmic condition) bestowed by heaven. Geomancy predicts the fortune in personal harmony with the environment. Body and face analysis predicts the fortune in one’s outer appearance. Hand analysis predicts the fortune in one’s inner self (personality). Yijing oracle mathematics provides the symbolic cosmic code as philosophical guidance for spiritual alchemy.

All the modalities utilize the same mathematical system in order to contribute their relative aspects to the act of divination. Divination provides clarity when consulting all the modality scopes simultaneously. One modality may be used predominantly depending on the availability of information pertaining to the situation. Clarity of forecast requires that the diviner, adept, become an open conduit, disconnecting from influences outside the situation in order to sensitively observe all relevant diagnostic information (signs and symptoms), to discover patterns by interpreting through categorization (diagnosis), and to create a balanced solution (treatment), which encourages the accomplishment of an individual’s longevity, prosperity, and happiness.

The Yijing is a code of divination and philosophy that combines the mathematical language for understanding heaven (astrology), earth (geomancy), and humanity (body, face, palm) realms.

Therefore, the sections of this text are arranged in a sequence in an attempt to give the student a gradual cumulative understanding according to the way the ancients may have formulated the Yijing system.

HOW TO USE THIS TEXT

This book presents Taoist divination as a path to wisdom. Information is presented first by introducing Taoism through surveying its history, specifically its developments in alchemy. Then, cosmology will tell the story of creation through surveying its unfolding structures expressed in terms of numerology and pantheon mythology. Next, divination methods of astrology, geomancy, body, face, and hand analysis will be presented, combining to reveal the cosmic code of the Yijing. All figures are located at the end of the text.

The author leaves open the possibility that the source of its teachings may originate outside of China. Therefore, multicultural philosophy and cosmology, which contributed to the evolution of Taoism, will be utilized to explain its deeper meaning (see appendices on historical speculations). Keep in mind that the text focuses on the presentation of divination methods, rather than proving the validity of mythological speculation through the assessment of cosmological similarity.

Nomenclature:

For purpose of clarity to the reader, the Chinese term for the “Way” is written two ways, Tao (its presently accepted English word) and Dao (the pinyin translation). Also, cosmological and metaphysical terminology, mythological deities, foreign terminology, and classic texts, will be shown in pinyin italics. Chinese place or person names will not be shown in italics.

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