Customer Reviews

Good Fortune: and how to attract it

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like creative reworkings of old systems (at least as long as they don't claim to be the original!). Good Fortune is just such a book. Titania Hardie offers her own modernization of the I Ching; she argues that as the original was created in an entirely different culture, including one in which women weren't even allowed to use it, a form friendly to both men and women was in order. I am pleased by this.

The first section of the book describes what the basic concept is, how to throw and read the coins, and the different personality types that affect the outcome of the reading. There's also some interesting elemental correspondence worked in there as well. It was a bit complex to understand at first, but a little closer study made it make sense. The readings rely on a grid with numbers on it; the way the coins fall in six throws, and the lines created on the grid by recording these throws, determines what the answer is. With a little practice, it's a wonderfully effective divination system.

I'm a bit on the fence about the personality types, specifically the element of birth order which is used to help determine what the dominant aspects of your personality are. According to The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman, one's sex isn't as important as Hardie makes it out to be; it's more about the interactions of the family members. Hardie covers that too, though, so it's a more thorough view. I'm not a big fan of rigid gender/sex dichotomy, and occasionally a bit of "female-nurturing, male-doing" sentiment got to me a bit, especially with the "Mother always equals Earth and Father always equals Sky" aspect. Overall, though, personal biases aside, it adds a useful dimension to one's reading and understanding of how who you are affects what may occur and how you react to it.

Quibbles and bits aside, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. It's quite possibly one of the prettiest books, with some spectacular layout and design work. Don't let the loveliness fool you, though-this is an effective system of divination suitable for anyone who resonates with it. Don't expect classic I Ching; you'll be disappointed. Instead, open yourself up to a new derivation that goes in some creative directions.

I just bought this and agree with much of what the reveiwer above has to say. I think there was a time when men and women were as different as cats and dogs and I can't think of one major school of philosophy that was written by a woman or man who had primary responsibility for children. That said it is easy to see why many spiritual philosophies see such divergence in the energy patterns of the sexes. Male is about reason and might and female is about emotion and submission. In a world where fighting was the norm, survival depended on everyone clinging to their role.

The old Iching was about winning, whether through holding back until the time was right, combing forces or using leadership as a tool. It did not offer much to a mother seeking to control her teenager or someone looking for a better love life. This version uses terms such as lonliness, and talks about what is "dearest" to you. It speaks to the emotions in a way that the old version did not. What is perhaps the best thing about this version is that it lives up to its title and tells you how to use each combination to create good fortune by structuring your response in a positive way. Most of the updated versions I've seen stress caution over joy, especially with the more negative combination. Here she tells us how to turn even lemons into ...Good Fortune!

The only criticism I have is that the nice heavy coins (displayed in cutouts on the front of the book) which are about an inch and a quarter across, are too large for small hands like mine to throw properly. This is easily remedied by substituting three coins of any denomination for the ones provided.

Thsi fun book follows IChing, but in its own personal flavor of thsi particular author/artist. This is something that I liove to pull out for parties and even for a personal consultation. It carries words of wisdom that is unique, yet there are many common themes in the readings. I like this book and find it a personal favorite within my collection.

When I was asked to review this book I was very excited. The book is written using a more modern and updated form of I Ching. I have been intrigued with this form of divination for quite a while but could not connect with the traditional method. Included in the book are three coins - each with a sun on one side and a moon on the other.

There are 64 forecasts in the book but before you can throw the three coins readers need to do is determine their personal profile. In my example I happen to be WIND since I am a first daughter and since I am also a Mother I am also associated with EARTH. The next thing I did was find where my birthday fell. Since my birthday is in December I am Autumn Wind (for first daughter) and Autumn Earth (for Mother). Once my personal profile was complete I asked my first question. I was amazed with the accuracy of the answer.

I tried it several more times and was satisfied with the results. The information in the forecasts is well thought out and in depth. I like the way Ms. Hardie refers to the Elements and the Seasons in the personality profile and the forecasts. It makes the throws that much more personal. The graphics in the book are very pleasing and can be used to meditate on the forecast. The forecast pages are color coded with the Elements and Seasons. It makes it easier to determine the greater personal relevance of the forecast for the reader. This is determined if you have one or two aspects in a reading.

Although it is a small book it is full of a lot of good quality reading. I highly recommend it for anyone that would like to delve into the realm of I-Ching.