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5a28fe5a | 1 | .\" @(#)ching.6 6.1 (Berkeley) %G% |
36cc81c3 | 2 | .\" |
5a28fe5a | 3 | .TH CHING 6 "" |
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4 | .AT 3 |
5 | .SH NAME | |
204c0584 | 6 | ching \- the book of changes and other cookies |
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7 | .SH SYNOPSIS |
8 | .B /usr/games/ching | |
9 | [ hexagram ] | |
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10 | .SH DESCRIPTION |
11 | The | |
12 | .I "I Ching" | |
13 | or | |
14 | .I "Book of Changes" | |
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15 | is an ancient Chinese oracle that has been in use for centuries |
16 | as a source of wisdom and advice. | |
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17 | .PP |
18 | The text of the | |
19 | .I oracle | |
204c0584 | 20 | (as it is sometimes known) consists of sixty-four |
36cc81c3 | 21 | .I hexagrams, |
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22 | each symbolized by a particular arrangement of six straight (\-\-\-) |
23 | and broken (\-\ \-) lines. These lines have values ranging | |
24 | from six through nine, with the even values indicating the broken lines. | |
36cc81c3 | 25 | .PP |
204c0584 | 26 | Each hexagram consists of two major sections. The |
36cc81c3 | 27 | .B Judgement |
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28 | relates specifically to the matter at hand (E.g., |
29 | \*(lqIt furthers one to have somewhere to go.\*(rq) while the | |
36cc81c3 | 30 | .B Image |
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31 | describes the general attributes of the hexagram and how they apply |
32 | to one's own life (\*(lqThus the superior man makes himself strong | |
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33 | and untiring.\*(rq). |
34 | .PP | |
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35 | When any of the lines have the values six or nine, they are moving lines; |
36 | for each there is an appended judgement which becomes significant. | |
37 | Furthermore, the moving lines are inherently unstable and | |
38 | change into their opposites; a second hexagram | |
39 | (and thus an additional judgement) is formed. | |
36cc81c3 | 40 | .PP |
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41 | Normally, one consults the oracle by fixing the desired question |
42 | firmly in mind and then casting a set of changes (lines) | |
43 | using yarrow\-stalks or tossed coins. The resulting hexagram | |
44 | will be the answer to the question. | |
36cc81c3 | 45 | .PP |
204c0584 | 46 | Using an algorithm suggested by S. C. Johnson, the UNIX |
36cc81c3 | 47 | .IR oracle " simply reads" |
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48 | a question from the standard input (up to an EOF) |
49 | and hashes the individual characters in combination with the | |
50 | time of day, process id and any other magic numbers which happen to be lying | |
51 | around the system. The resulting value is used as the seed | |
52 | of a random number generator which drives a simulated coin\-toss divination. | |
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53 | The answer is then piped through |
54 | .BR nroff " for formatting" | |
204c0584 | 55 | and will appear on the standard output. |
36cc81c3 | 56 | .PP |
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57 | For those who wish to remain steadfast in the old traditions, |
58 | the oracle will also accept the results of a personal divination using, | |
59 | for example, coins. To do this, cast the change and then type the | |
60 | resulting line values as an argument. | |
36cc81c3 | 61 | .PP |
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62 | The impatient modern may prefer to settle for Chinese cookies; try |
63 | .IR fortune (6). | |
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64 | .SH "SEE ALSO" |
65 | It furthers one to see the great man. | |
66 | .SH DIAGNOSTICS | |
67 | The great prince issues commands, | |
68 | .br | |
69 | Founds states, vests families with fiefs. | |
70 | .br | |
71 | Inferior people should not be employed. | |
72 | .SH BUGS | |
73 | Waiting in the mud | |
74 | .br | |
75 | Brings about the arrival of the enemy. | |
76 | .PP | |
77 | If one is not extremely careful, | |
78 | .br | |
79 | Somebody may come up from behind and strike him. | |
80 | .br | |
81 | Misfortune. |