Masonic & Occult Symbols Illustrate

One ad for a book by Diane Stein on the I Ching (also called Kwan Yin) tells us: “ The Kwan Yin Book of Changes is a wonderful book, finding admirerers (sic) with not only NEW AGERS, AND FEMINISTS, BUT OTHERS SUCH AS PAGANS, DIVINATION FANS, GODDESS WORSHIPPERS , and those involved with Eastern philosophy.” Of course Diane Stein isn’t the only pagan who uses the I Ching. A witchcraft magazine, Circle Network News, gives an extensive ritual to be used in connection with the I Ching. Part of the instructions are: “An altar should be set up in the middle of a room facing north....Lay the stalks in the middle of the altar along with the I Ching book that you are going to use and your I Ching journal. Include on the altar other ritual tools and symbols that you feel you need. Be sure to include burning incense. “Ritually purify yourself and the space with techniques of your choosing. Ground and center. Call the quarters and Spirit in a fashion that feels appropriate.... “Once you have determined the hexagram, draw it in your journal. Look it up within the text of your I Ching book.... “When you feel complete with your answer and have recorded all relevant information in your journal, pay respects to the I Ching in whatever way you feel comfortable.... Thank the spirit helpers [demons!] and the quarters for helping with your work.” New Ager, Jeffrey S. Stamps, likes to use the yin/yang in a slightly different form. He calls his symbol the “Emergent Tao.” He explains: