Narrow the question to one decision
A question such as ‘What will happen to me?’ is broad enough to fit almost any symbol. A useful question names an object, a decision, and a rough period, such as whether to accept a collaboration this month.
Primary hexagram, then moving lines
The primary hexagram frames the current situation. Moving lines show where the structure is changing. With no moving line, stay with the primary image; with several, look for their shared tension instead of stacking separate mini-readings.
Use the resulting hexagram as direction
The resulting hexagram shows the form the situation may take after the present movement. It should not erase the primary chart. Six Relations, Host-Guest positions, and timing can add roles and relative activity, but each claim should point back to a line.
- Current pattern in the primary hexagram
- Lines that genuinely move
- Question roles in Host and Guest
- Structural shift in the resulting hexagram
One cast, one later review
Repeated casts for the same question make it easy to select the answer you wanted. Save the exact question, cast time, and actual outcome. A later review shows whether the structure helped or the text was fitted after the fact.