Chinese Oracle Script

Divination Cards
Guidebook

benebell wen
September 9, 2015
Benebell Wen
All Rights Reserved

Also by Benebell Wen:

Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach
To Using Tarot for Personal Growth
(North Atlantic Books, 2015).

Lao Tzu Talisman

To Empower Psychics and Mediums

(Learn more about the Lao Tzu Talisman and others In

The Tao of Craft, by Benebell Wen, forthcoming from North Atlantic Books)
 Contents

Introduction Letter ............................................................................................................................................... 5

The Conception ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Chinese Oracle Script ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Interpreting the Cards ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Consecration ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
1. Luminescence ............................................................................................................................................. 16
2. Affinity ........................................................................................................................................................... 17
3. Abundance ................................................................................................................................................... 18
4. Serenity ......................................................................................................................................................... 19
5. Shift ................................................................................................................................................................. 20
6. Exchange ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
7. Teacher .......................................................................................................................................................... 22
8. The Wheel .................................................................................................................................................... 23
9. Journey .......................................................................................................................................................... 24
10. Conflict ...................................................................................................................................................... 25
11. Spirit........................................................................................................................................................... 26
12. Cauldron ................................................................................................................................................... 27
13. Poison ........................................................................................................................................................ 28
14. The Book................................................................................................................................................... 29
15. Untie the Knot ........................................................................................................................................ 30
16. Prosperity ................................................................................................................................................ 31
17. Affluence ................................................................................................................................................... 32
18. Longevity .................................................................................................................................................. 33
19. Force .......................................................................................................................................................... 34
20. Stasis .......................................................................................................................................................... 35
21. Joy ............................................................................................................................................................... 36
22. To Establish ............................................................................................................................................. 37
23. Split............................................................................................................................................................. 38
24. Adjoin ........................................................................................................................................................ 39
25. Fate ............................................................................................................................................................. 40
26. A Decoy ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
27. Healing ...................................................................................................................................................... 42
28. Hardship ................................................................................................................................................... 43
29. A Sudden Jolt ........................................................................................................................................... 44
30. Sentimentality ........................................................................................................................................ 45
31. The Sword ................................................................................................................................................ 46
32. Stability ..................................................................................................................................................... 47
33. Benevolence ............................................................................................................................................ 48
Nine Card Lo Shu Spread ................................................................................................................................. 49
How I Use the Cards .......................................................................................................................................... 51
List of All Cards ................................................................................................................................................... 53
Printing Your Own Oracle Deck Set ............................................................................................................ 55
Frequently Asked Questions .......................................................................................................................... 57
Legal Mumbo Jumbo ......................................................................................................................................... 59
 Introduction Letter

Dear Kindred Spirit:

At this time, this oracle deck is not intended for commercial publication. Please do
not permit others to use what I have provided to you and please do not redistribute
any of the content or files I’m sending. These cards are for your personal and/or
professional use only (by professional, I mean if you are a professional card reader
or practitioner of metaphysical arts). I ask that you not share use of these cards with
anyone else, though please by all means feel free to provide readings with these
cards for others.

If you do print out these cards and use them, of course you may share on social
media should you feel compelled to and I am perfectly all right with that. In fact, that
would be so cool to see! Please be sure to tag me #benebellwen. I encourage social
media sharing and would be amused to see the content you’ve created. Also, go
ahead and incorporate the cards into your blog or online content. I’m cool with that,
too. However, please note that the Chinese Oracle Script Divination Cards are a
private, unpublished oracle deck. Thus, if you’re sharing the cards or Guidebook
contents whether in pictorial or written form, please do note that these cards are
private, unpublished, and not for sale.

I hope my little oracle script divination deck serves you well.

Sincerely,

bell
September 9, 2015

5
 The Conception
In late August and early September of 2015, my parents visited me to keep me
company while the Hubby went mountain climbing with my cousins. Their
departure flight was on September 9, 2015 and I would be driving them to the
airport at 5:00 a.m. That night/morning, I was jolted awake at 3:00 a.m., without an
alarm clock, because I thought someone was in my room talking to me. At first I
thought it was my mother and I had somehow overslept. Then I realized no one was
there. Immediately thereafter, a second thought popped into my mind: using ancient
Chinese script from oracle bones for divination. Along with each script would be a
short phrase indicating the script’s message.

I thought, “Well, that sure is a nice idea” and then was ready to go back to sleep, now
that I realized I was two hours too early and no one was actually present in my
room. However, I just couldn’t get back to sleep. So I got up, booted up my laptop
computer, and started drafting what would be the Chinese oracle script divination
system. By 3:33 a.m., within about half an hour, I had completed 32 scripts I wanted
to include, along with accompanying messages. Intuitively, it did not feel complete,
but I didn’t compel any additions. I went back to bed and wrote longhand into a
notebook to memorialize some of my ideas for the divination system. The easiest
medium would be as oracle cards, so I brainstormed the structure and
numerological assignments. Then, just before I had to get ready to leave with my
parents for the airport, I thought of the 33rd character: 善. It means “benevolent.” [It
can also mean “virtue” or “compassion.”] It is a word that is often associated with
Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion. It is also the center character
that forms my name: 溫善鈴 (no, that is not a craft name; that really is the given
name I was born with).

After returning from the airport, my parents safely on their flight home, I cut out
scraps of paper with the 33 characters along with their assigned numbers, 1 through
33. At random, the first character I drew while thinking about my oracle script
divinatory system was Number 33: 善. Before sunrise, the complete system was
finished.

I would love to brag about how expedient and awesome I was, but the whole time I
conceived this system, I did not feel like myself and the idea does not feel like my
idea. My best explanation would be that I felt like a secretary, someone taking down
dictations. Back when I was a legal intern, I’d put on headphones and play
recordings of the lawyers’ dictations and type out what they said in order to draft
their memos and correspondences to judges. That was the same exact feeling I felt
that evening/morning as I completed the 33 characters, corresponding messages,
and finalized the system.

6
 Chinese Oracle Script
What I am referring to as Chinese oracle script is based on oracle bone script (甲骨
文, jiǎ gǔ wén), or Chinese characters from the Shang (1600 B.C.–1046 B.C.) and
Zhou (1046 B.C.–256 B.C.) Dynasties inscribed onto oracle bones for divinatory
purposes. [However, to be more specific, I’ve incorporated script from the Shang,
Zhou, and Qin Dynasties.] Scholars of Chinese etymology look to oracle bone script
to understand the origins and meaning of words. That’s because the imagery can be
deconstructed and the parts tell the story for the whole.

Poison

蠱
Gǔ

For example, the oracle script for “poison,” pictured above at left, is made up of
three insects (虫) being put inside a vase or dish (皿). It represents the history of
prehistoric magicians in China and how they exorcised demons. The demons
possessing or haunting a body or place were extracted by force and compelled by
the magician to manifest as worms or insects, which the magician then trapped into
a container.

The ideogram also tells the story of how poison was first created. An ancient form of
Chinese poison consisted of putting several poisonous insects together into a sealed
container. To survive, the insects would eat each other and the last surviving insect,
the one that has in effect consumed all of the other insects that had been in the
container, was believed to contain the most potent amount of deadly poison. That
one insect would then be unleashed onto the victim.

7
 靈 巫
Spirit Witch / Shaman

Other ideograms provide insight into cultural beliefs. The oracle script for “spirit”
(see Card 11), interesting enough, has the Chinese character for “witch” or “shaman”
(巫) inscribed into the bottom, indicating who among the people are able to
commune with Spirit.

Abundance Hardship Split

Also, note how in Card 3, the oracle script for “abundance” shows a basket full of
wheat. “Hardship” in Card 28 shows the character for “wood” (木), symbolizing
assets, resources, money, but also growth, nourishment, and development, trapped
within an enclosed box (囗). “Split” is the symbol of a dagger (刀) along with the
symbol for “separate” or “divide” (八).

Stasis, Obstacle; Impediment

+ = 滯
Zhì
Water Emperor

The oracle script for the character I refer to as “Stasis” in the cards represents
obstacles in one’s path, impediments to progress or advancement, though implied
within the ideogram is the prognostication of prevailing against all obstacles. The
ideogram is the combination of “water” or “stream,” and “emperor.” In the I Ching
Book of Changes, many of the hexagram verses reference the crossing of a stream to
represent either a prognostication of victory in “crossing the stream” or to refrain
from “crossing the stream” because the time is not yet right for such an undertaking.
These references come from history, specifically the shamanic King Wen
overthrowing the Shang Dynasty to establish the Zhou.

King Wen was born along the Wei River and experienced great hardships
throughout his life. The incumbent king of the Shang Dynasty betrayed Wen’s father

8
 GUIDEBOOK

and had him killed. The Shang king, fearful that Wen might retaliate, then had Wen
imprisoned. It was during Wen’s imprisonment that, according to legend, he
conceived of the 64 I Ching hexagrams, and used his divinatory hexagrams to
predict the fall of the Shang Dynasty. Eventually, King Wen was released from
captivity, overcame all obstacles, and went on to establish the Zhou Dynasty. (To be
specific, though, it was King Wen’s son who later founded the Zhou, not King Wen
himself.)

Cauldron

鼎
Dǐng

Other ideograms, like “cauldron,” are less about narrative and more about
illustration. The oracle script for “cauldron” is a drawing that resembles an actual
pot. The ideogram is also Hexagram 50 in the I Ching. Per the I Ching, the three legs
of the cauldron represent prophesy, or use of the cauldron as an alchemical vessel
by magicians. Yet it is also a cooking pot, used to prepare nourishment. Thus, the
cauldron takes on two meanings, as an indication of a matter still in its
developmental phase (it’s still “cooking”) and as an auspicious prognostication of
alchemical success. Note that in the modern version of the word (鼎), the all-seeing
eye (目) for prophesy is positioned in the place of the cooking pot.

Given the layers of meaning each oracle script can take on, I found them ideal for
divination, even if you are not literate in Chinese. After all, how many among us,
even those literate in Chinese today, can read arcane oracle script? Thus, the script
serves as a medium for scrying. It is similar to the interpretation of symbols in the
imagery of tarot cards.

In the deck I have conceived, each oracle script also

corresponds with a particular message, which is
written onto the card. As you read the keyword (up
top, centered, in bold, under the number) and the
accompanying phrase (at the bottom, centered),
think of each word both literally and figuratively.
Card 14: The Book, for example, could literally be a
nod to a book you have to read into (or perhaps a
book you are writing), or it can be symbolic of
knowledge and education.

What I love about Chinese oracle script is how

conducive it is to both right-brained and left-

9
brained approaches. The oracle script is visual enough to trigger intuitive-creativity
and bring your imagination into the divinatory fold. Each pictogram tells a story, a
story that leads to the meaning of the word. Every line of the pictogram is symbolic.
What that narrative is exactly, or what each line symbolizes is between you and your
intuitive-creativity. That, I hope, is how the right-brained readers will connect with
the cards.

Yet each ideogram can also be interpreted with symbolic logic. You can formulate a
proof based on assumptions made about the various parts of the ideogram. That
proof leads to a conclusion, one affirmed by the corresponding message I’ve
conceived with each oracle script. The words and numerological attributions on
each card help the left-brained reader retrieve divinatory answers.

For me, divination with oracle script has been accurate and powerful. There is
something about these ideograms that I connect deeply to, and I can only hope you
find oracle script divination intriguing as well.

10
 Interpreting the Cards
I am assuming that you are already a seasoned card reader, so I don’t really need to
tell you how to read divination cards. Connect with the cards directly and
personally, blah blah, you need to exercise your own intuition to interpret the card’s
meaning, blah, blah, and blah. How you read the cards is going to be different and
unique from how I read the cards, and there shouldn’t be any pressure to interpret
an ideogram the way I’ve interpreted it (though if you’re not literate in Chinese, then
I guess you’ll have to trust my translation of each word up at the top of the cards). I
strongly encourage you to look at the oracle script and identify what symbols and
imagery you see.

Take the above ideogram, for instance. What do you see? For divination purposes,
there is no right or wrong answer here. Do you see two people? What are they
doing? Their arms seem to be raised. Why? They mirror each other’s gestures. Why?
What is the structure they’re standing under? Or are they sitting? When you look at
those lines and clear your consciousness, what comes to mind? Tell me a story, the
narrative you see when you look at that ideogram. After the story is told, reflect on
the meaning of the story. What are the themes?

If you must know, that is the oracle script on Card 33. It means “benevolence.” It
denotes generosity, sharing in kind with others, being empathetic, and caring deeply
about your fellow humankind.

Now if you’re Chinese (or Chinese American), and some of you receiving this are,
then refresh your knowledge of Chinese radicals. It’s going to help immensely. In the
ideogram for “benevolence” given above, you’ll see the radical for speech (言), twice.
That suggests the exchange of speech. You’ll also see the character for sheep (羊).
The sheep is symbolic here. It symbolizes a heightened sensitivity for others,
empathy, and a gentle, virtuous nature.

I have also intended the messages at the bottom center of each card to be part of the
divinatory result. It represents either a prognostication or a prescription. A card
with a prognostication suggests that “what’s done is done” and now the focus is on
navigating the effects. A card with a prescription suggests that much is still at play,

11
variables not yet confirmed, and so the prescription tells you what needs to be done
to ensure that you prevail.

Reading with Reversals

Each card, or each oracle script, has both yin and yang essence (as do we all). There
are two ways to work with this binary. In actual personal practice, I go back and
forth between reading with reversals and without when using this deck, but my
original intent for the deck was yes, that it be read with reversals. Yet in practice, I
have found that most of the time, I don’t read the reversals and will order all the
cards right side up before commencing.

When reading with reversals, upright cards are yang-dominant, and so the
attributions of the card for “yang” will be more pertinent in the divination while the
“yin” attributions are secondary. Reversed cards are thus yin-dominant, and
indicate a dominance of that card’s “yin” attributions while “yang” attributions
become secondary.

Reading without Reversals

When I don’t read with reversals, I look at both yin and yang as two parts to the
whole, and assess both in my total consideration of the card meaning. It’s like
describing, say, a Gemini personality. The essence is Gemini and Gemini is Gemini is
Gemini. On one hand, this Gemini is multi-talented, charismatic, and a jack of many
trades. But on the other, this Gemini is non-committal, can be a flake, and doesn’t
seem to know what he or she wants out of life. Thus, in reading without reversals,
the yang and the yin represent the light and the dark of the matter at hand.

Use of Oracle Script in Craft

For practitioners of craft, yes, the oracle script can be used to raise metaphysical
energy and manifest specific intentions, much in the manner that runes might be
used. I get into this in my second book, The Tao of Craft, but for now, since that book
is still forthcoming from North Atlantic Books, I’m sure if you’d even ask such a
question, then you are familiar enough with craft to figure out how to use these
scripts for such magical purposes. 

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 GUIDEBOOK

Card Anatomy

The following explains each card’s anatomy:

(A) I’ve numbered each card and the numbering is not arbitrary—far from it.
I’ve incorporated Chinese numerology in deciding the card number
assignments for each oracle script.

(B) If I had to express the meaning of the corresponding Chinese character in

one word, then this would be it. It’s not always easy, and so linguists will
disagree. Just like getting ten tarotists in the same room to explain the
meaning of the Judgement card, asking ten linguists to interpret the same
Chinese character will yield differing results.

(C) The arcane oracle bone script corresponding with the traditional Chinese
character I’ve selected. The specific script I’ve selected here varies between
historic scripts from the Shang Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, and Qin Dynasty,
though all pre-date the Qin.

(D) The modern-day traditional Chinese character. When I say “traditional

Chinese character,” that’s a reference to the written Chinese language
currently used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and that was used in mainland China
prior to the Communist takeover. Between (C) and (D), you can see how
each character has evolved over thousands of years.

(E) The pin yin for how to pronounce the Chinese character in Mandarin.

(F) The companion message or phrasing I’ve conceived to go along with each
oracle script.

13
 Consecration
Yes, I am going to assert something controversial and request that you consecrate
these cards if you plan on using them for divination. Once you’re done producing the
cards, please wait until the next full moon before using them. Until then, keep them
somewhere sacred, personal, or special to you. Under a full moon, any time that date
(those with diurnal natal charts might prefer a daytime hour; those with nocturnal
natal charts might prefer the evening), hold the cards in the palm of your receiving
hand and place your giving hand on top of the cards. Then recite the following
phrase just once:

Na mo ami to fuo guan shi ying pusa.

Bao hu wo. Da guang huan rao wo.

That’s it! Please do indulge me. Come on. Just do it. Even if you don’t believe it, don’t
know what you’re saying, and are a stark raving atheist, just do it because you care
about me and you know that doing it will make me happy. Here’s what it means:

I invoke the venerable Amithaba Buddha and the bodhisattva Kuan

Yin. Protect and shield me [and these cards]. Great divine Light,
surround me [and these cards].

The English translation sounds kind of cumbersome and goofy, but it’s quite poetic
in Mandarin. I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it. Both Amithaba and Kuan
Yin, at least according to the religious mythos I subscribe to, vow to support and aid
anyone who invokes them by name, irrespective of faith, beliefs, and background.
Kuan Yin vows to protect and assist all who ask for her help, unconditionally, even
the wicked, the criminal, and even those who do not venerate her.

For the curious (or Chinese literate), here’s the invocation in Traditional Chinese:

南无阿弥陀佛觀世音菩薩. 保護我. 大光環繞我.

The purpose of the invocation (at least according to me) is to protect the cards and
to protect your divinatory uses of the cards. The invocation is a way of inviting Spirit
into the cards and turns what was just an object into a sacred tool. Thus, the
invocation consecrates the cards and makes it magical.

If you prefer to invoke a god and goddess you venerate in lieu of the Buddha and
bodhisattva, that would be totally cool with me. Here’s how the invocation would
work:

14
 Na mo [insert name of your god] [insert name of your goddess]. Bao hu wo. Da
guang huan rao wo.

I figure it should be okay that you’re speaking in Chinese with your deities. As the
Hubby said before, “They’re gods. Naturally, they’re bilingual.” (Or multilingual.)

In general, the god and goddess representations symbolize the binary code that the
universe is made up of, the yin and the yang, the 0 and the 1. In essence, the
invocation is to establish a stronger connection between your consciousness and
that collective unconscious you often hear me yapping on and on about. It’s
connecting yourself to the divine or collective Yin and Yang of the universe, and
acknowledging both the Light and the Dark.

Amithaba and Kuan Yin

Images from The Tao of Craft by Benebell Wen
(forthcoming, North Atlantic Books)

15
 1. Luminescence

光
Guāng

Radiating with Divine Light.

Shielded and Well Protected.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed. Heaven

is guiding you throughout your endeavor. You walk an
illuminated path.

Yin: There is potential for success if you manifest the

card’s energy and essence. Pray to invoke Heaven and
you will always have guidance. You are not alone.

Etymological Notes. A combination of the character for “fire” (火) and

“person” (人) or “son” (儿), noting a halo around Heaven’s son.

16
 2. Affinity

對
Duì

Affirmation. A Faultless Pairing.

Opposites Become Complements.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed. Success

comes by way of a pair. Meet your match, and then
create harmony together.

Yin: There is potential for success if you manifest the

card’s energy and essence. Seek out affinity with your
other half. Match opposites and complements, and
then success will be yours.

Etymological Notes. The image of a hand reaching out, taking measure.

Balance and symmetry found in that which the hand is measuring.

17
 3. Abundance

豐
Fēng

Great Capacity. Advancement.

Peaking to Fullness. Fruition.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed. The

path you endeavor on will bring fulfillment. The sum
will be greater than the parts.

Yin: Yearning to create, and yet there is stagnation.

Consecrate the space around you. Detoxify. That is
how you will acquire creativity and fertility.

Etymological Notes. A tall serving dish (豆) full of wheat (丰).

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 4. Serenity

平
Píng

Resting State. Balance.

Stability. Equanimity.

Yang: Be calm and maintain composure. Success if you find

your equilibrium. Stay the course of a stable, flat
path. Avoid risks during the short term. Avoid
emotional extremes. Be Zen.

Yin: Inconsistency and emotional extremes are hindering

you from achieving your objective. Before
proceeding, first find your equilibrium.

Etymological Notes. The image of a scale. What is being weighed on the scale
is level, balanced.

19
 5. Shift

移
Yí

A Change in Position.
Transference is Productive.

Yang: Transfer your focus, efforts, and attention

elsewhere. There is a fork in your road. Go in a
different direction. Then success will be yours.

Yin: There is potential for success if you make

adjustments to your current course. You are
resistant to change. Overcome that resistance. Take
a risk and try a different approach.

Etymological Notes. The grains are still on their stalks (禾). As we know the
cycle of nature, we know there is more (多) to come. The grains will be
harvested and transformed into food, so that they might be more productive.

20
 6. Exchange

兌
Duì

Trade Flourishes.
Nourishing Growth.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed.

Commerce is favorable. A meeting of brilliant minds.
There is intellectual synergy. All parties will grow
from the exchange.

Yin: Delays in the transaction. You must reach out to

generate greater interest in your work. Your trade
can flourish, but first you must speak up.

Etymological Notes. One who is bartering. There is an exchange. Note the

radical for “mouth” (口), symbolic of communication.

21
 7. Teacher

師
Shī

With Discipline and Guidance,

A Purpose Comes to Light.

Yang: A teacher-student, mentor-mentee relationship

illuminates new facets of your life path. You become
aware of another calling, one that brings fulfillment
and fruition. Pursue that purpose and you will
succeed in spades.

Yin: You are the student. Be humble and ready to learn

from an unlikely teacher. Insight comes when you
listen to another’s wise counsel.

Etymological Notes. The people gather on the mound to hear the master
speak.

22
 8. The Wheel

輪
Lún

Spinning In the Cycle.

Seek Out an Exit.

Yang: Walking a circular path, encountering the same

obstacles and failing by the same past errors. Stop
your movement. Step aside and recalibrate. Do not
run within the wheel; get off it and use the wheel to
transport yourself forward.

Yin: You think you are moving, but you are only moving in
circles. Continued movement forward results in
stagnation and delays. Stop, step aside, and
recalibrate. Change your karma.

Etymological Notes. The wheel of a cart in movement, going round and round.

23
 9. Journey

程
Chéng

An Occasion for a Voyage.

Take on the Expedition.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed. A well

calculated risk or investment will bring success. A
journey to where you have not gone before takes you
closer to achieving your purpose.

Yin: Although manifestation is delayed, still plan for travel.

Identify what you have before you set out to obtain
what you think you need. Yet a journey will serve your
purpose well. Adventure brings new insights.

Etymological Notes. One is weighing grains. Checking on supply prior to take-

off.

24
 10. Conflict

訟
Sòng

Controversy. Dissidence.
Opposing Views Bring Strife.

Yang: When faced with controversy, distinguishing each side

as different begets conflict. Instead, seek out
compromise. First, seek common ground. Do not strive
to be happy about the outcome. Strive for peace.

Yin: A pending conflict takes an unfavorable turn. Do not

take risks. To prevail, reconsider your strategy.
Accusations. The trial. Words hurt irreparably. Watch
what you have to say about another.

Etymological Notes. Accusing (i.e., speech or speaking, 言) the duke ( 公). 公

can be in reference to the state, the public, a general, or a gentleman (male).
Also, 公 can represent justice or honor.

25
 11. Spirit

靈
Líng

A Spirit Lingers Nearby.

An Unseen Influence.

Yang: There is an unseen influence over the matter at hand.

The causal connection is not of the material world or
earthly plane. Commune with the Spirit to gain insight.

Yin: The obstacle that hinders your progress is an unseen

influence, a spirit lingering nearby. Striking a resolution
with the spirit is what will remove the obstacle and
facilitate your successful advancement forward.

Etymological Notes. The magician (巫) looks up at Heaven and speaks (口).
The trinity of speech to call upon Heaven, Earth, and Man in union. Rain (雨)
then falls: the rainmaker. The word靈 can refer to spirit, one’s soul, or the
spiritual world in general. It references the spiritual plane, or the
metaphysical counterpart to the physical.

26
 12. Cauldron

鼎
Dǐng

Developmental Phase.
Prophesy of Success.

Yang: You are mid-stream in the right direction. Advancing

bodes well. Favorable to proceed. The cauldron is an
alchemical vessel for both cooking and sacred arts.
Nurture your gifts.

Yin: A personal catharsis is needed. Upturn the cauldron and

clean out the grime inside. Reconsider your list of
ingredients. Details and minutiae matter. Be more
diligent.

Etymological Notes. The image of a tripod. Atop the tripod, an all-seeing eye (
目). The cauldron standing atop a tripod symbolizes the alchemical vessel
that incorporates the trinity of Heaven, Earth, and Man for manifestation. The
tripod also symbolizes the oracular seat of a priest or priestess.

27
 13. Poison

蠱
Gǔ

Expel the Poison, or

Decay Will Set In.

Yang: There is an internal infestation causing your

hardships. Exorcise toxins from within. Remove the
malignant tumor. Thereafter, shield and protect
yourself with great care.

Yin: A prolonged state of stagnation is causing

degeneration. You are headed toward a stage of decay.
Take bold, even risky action immediately to prevent
further atrophy.

Etymological Notes. Three insects (虫) inside a vase or dish (皿). The insects
are the poisons expelled. It can also indicate the insects placed into a dish to
create poison. As the insects in the dish duel with one another for survival,
the last one standing is the most deadly. That is the process by which the
poison is made. Poison (蠱) as a divinatory meaning can indicate either
exorcising poison from your vicinity or using poison in a retaliatory manner
for self-defense and self-preservation. Gu Dao (蠱道) also refers to “poison
magic,” a traditional Chinese/Taoist form of retaliatory magic. Thus, another
message that can come through when this card is drawn is that of striking back
against another, standing your own ground.

28
 14. The Book

書
Shū

Seek Out Knowledge.

The Written Word Elucidates.

Yang: Scholarship brings insight. Build upon your knowledge

through learning, education, and the written word. You
will find your solution among the words.

Yin: You possess the knowledge that you need to prevail,

but you are not tapping into that knowledge.
Reexamine words you have written in the past. There
you will find the answer.

Etymological Notes. The combination of a calligraphy brush or pen (聿) and

words (i.e., 日) being written. 日is also the symbol for “sun” or yang energy,
the energy of creation, innovation, and self-expression. The sun here is about
the illumination of ideas.

29
 15. Untie the Knot

解
Jiě

Release and Unravel.

Give Amnesty. Let Go.

Yang: Release the tension. Knots you tied in the past must now
be undone. Pardon and let go of the past. The pardon is
for your benefit, not theirs. Release, so that you can be
set free.

Yin: Untie the knots that bind you and by doing so, you tie
knots that bind another. Tie knots to bind another to
untie the knots that were binding you.

Etymological Notes. Using a small dagger (刀) to untie the horns (角) of the ox
(牛). Tying the horns would have restricted the movements of the ox;
symbolizes holding one captive. To untie the horns is to free; to release,
liberate.

30
 16. Prosperity

福
Fú

Toward Increase
and Material Gains.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed. The final

outcome yields material gain. You enjoy abundance.
Exactly what you want and more will become yours.

Yin: Prosperity to come, but progress is delayed. Potential for

success, though not all variables affecting the situation
are known at this time.

Etymological Notes. Wine jug or offerings (畐) placed before an altar (示) . To
receive gains is to first give. 福 represents the investment of faith and
conviction. Give offerings, and in turn, you shall receive. 示 also represents
veneration of one’s ancestors.

31
 17. Affluence

祿
Lù

Ascension and Advancement.

Gains in Status.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed. The final

outcome yields social advancement. Great strides are made
in your status. The respect and favor of both peers and
superiors come earned.

Yin: Progress is delayed. Potential for success, though not all

variables affecting the situation are known at this time.

Etymological Notes. The radical for “spirit” (礻), which is also a variation of 示,
meaning altar; also represents veneration of one’s ancestors. The character 彔
means to carve on wood panels; sculpture or engravings. The character 彔
itself depicts an ax, wood, and water. As the sculptor carves away at the wood
panel, water is used to rinse off the scraps. Thus, the process of refinement,
similar to the process of gaining in social status.

32
 18. Longevity

壽
Shòu

Vitality. Stamina. Life of Bliss.

The Good Endures.

Yang: Advancing bodes well. Favorable to proceed. The final

outcome yields a stronger vitality, good health,
wellness, and harmony of body, mind, and spirit.
Success shall endure.

Yin: Potential for success, though not all variables affecting

the situation are known at this time. Devote greater
care to your health and wellbeing. Strive to live the
blissful life.

Etymological Notes. A scholar (士) at work (工). See also the derivative of the
word “time” (時). Longevity, vitality, and stamina comes from the continued
pursuit of work by the scholar. Never let your mind run idle: that is the key to
physical longevity.

33
 19. Force

強
Qiáng

Exert Greater Force.

There is Unseen Power.

Yang: Advancing bodes well, but greater force must be

exerted to accelerate. Turn more of your potential
energy into kinetic. Calculated risks for exerting
greater force will yield success.

Yin: You have not fully anticipated all the obstacles you
will face. Greater preparation and more resources are
needed to overcome the barriers.

Etymological Notes. Greatness (弘) and the defeat of poison, or insects (虫).
On the right side of the oracle script is the depiction of a warrior and on the
left, a crossbow (弓).

34
 20. Stasis

滯
Zhì

Stagnation. Setbacks; Delay.

Detention. Be Patient.

Yang: Avoid risks during the short term. The endeavor has
hit a plateau. You are detained in the same position.
Be patient. Be calm. Wait for the right opportunity. Be
observant and it will come.

Yin: Your patience prognosticates an auspicious outcome.

When you wait for a favorable current, you will cross
the river with ease. You overcome the setbacks and
albeit delayed, success will be yours.

Etymological Notes. A girdle (带), symbolic of restriction, limitations, and

obstruction, with the radical for “water” (水 or 氵). On the left side of the
oracle script is a river or stream; on the right, an emperor or king seeking to
cross that stream; symbolizes the undertaking of great challenges. The river
represents a setback that causes delay in the king’s advancement forward.

35
 21. Joy

喜
Xǐ

Respite Is Needed for

the Pursuit of Joy.

Yang: A moment for pause is needed. Rejuvenate yourself by

taking a recess. Pursue that which brings you joy.
Success to come if you manifest the card’s energy and
essence.

Yin: You’ve exhausted your personal bandwidth. Time for

a respite. Seek out that which brings you joy. Through
joy, replenish yourself. You will not be ready for
productivity until that needed respite is taken.

Etymological Notes. A drum (壴) and a mouth (口) open in song. Represents
music, celebration, and mirth.

36
 22. To Establish

建
Jiàn

Structural Considerations.
The Master Builder
Undertakes a Challenge.

Yang: The planning and building phase is most critical. The

master architect scrutinizes over details. What you
are building will endure long after you are gone. It
becomes your legacy.

Yin: Focus on the roots and foundation. Build wide, not

high. Build for longevity, not to impress. Avoid risks
during the short term.

Etymological Notes. The Chinese radical for “road” (廴) and a calligraphy
brush or pen (聿), symbolizing the writing down of plans or blueprints.
Writing down plans for the path forward.

37
 23. Split

分
Fēn

One Becomes Two.

Diverging Paths.

Yang: Division need not be divisive. The end of one is the

beginning for two. Let opposing positions stand on their
own respective ground. A forced truce does not bring
peace, but coexistence can bring liberation.

Yin: Do not force together what is better off apart. The

differences are not meant to be reconciled. What is
currently one locked in stalemate will be more
productive when split in two.

Etymological Notes. The symbol of a dagger (刀) and the symbol for “separate”
or “divide” (八). Asserting the act of cutting in two, to separate.

38
 24. Adjoin

接
Jiē

Bring Together.
Connect and Unite.

Yang: An alliance or merger brings greater productivity. That

which was two needs to be joined as one. United, there
is power. The collective force exerted brings success.

Yin: Each hesitates to sacrifice personal independence. It is

not a sacrifice when the result of assimilation brings a
mutually beneficial result. Success if each one is willing
to concede.

Etymological Notes. The Chinese radical for “hand” (扌) and 妾, which means
“concubine.” The character “妾” is of a woman (女) who is lying down (立) in
submission.

39
 25. Fate

命
Mìng

It Is Destiny.
Continue On the Path.

Yang: Destined for greatness. Assured victory to reward

good deeds of the past. Embrace the prophecy. You
are on the right path. Walk onward.

Yin: Unavoidable does not mean unfavorable. Do not resist

the effect caused by past karma. Fate is the immutable
outcome after an exercise of free will. Walk the path
to the end. It leads toward an illuminated horizon.

Etymological Notes. The Chinese radical for “mouth” (口) and 令, meaning “to
order” or to issue a decree or edict. “令” in this context can also mean “cause.”
Together, the components of 命 indicate the instructions for one’s life path.
The right bottom part of the oracle script resembles a pathway.

40
 26. A Decoy

餌
Ěr

Do Not Take the Bait.

Resist the Lure.

Yang: Forebear from both action and reaction. That way you
will not be lured. Resist the lure of the easier path.
The bait has been put there by the demons who seek
to thwart you from a nobler path. You are meant for
the greater, but that greater comes harder.

Yin: Then it will be others to lure you into entrapment. The

prospects dangling before you seem promising, but
what comes too easy will go just as quick. You must
understand your own personal discontent.

Etymological Notes. While 餌 means “bait” or “to lure,” it is also an arcane

term for “dumplings” (modern: 餃, jiǎo). The character is the Chinese radical
for “food” (食) and 耳, perhaps indicating resemblance of Chinese dumplings
to ears. 餌 is the bait used by fishermen to lure and catch fish.

41
 27. Healing

愈
Yù

Full Recovery. More and

More.
Toward the Better.

Yang: To recover, first heal your heart. Then the rest will
follow. Place offerings on the sacrificial table and have
faith. Unwavering conviction brings the recovery you
seek. Onward, more and more blessings come your way.

Yin: Impatience is a symptom of uncertainty. You must be

certain of your success. Fill your heart with faith and
conviction. Only then will your mind and body do as you
will it to.

Etymological Notes. At the foundation of the word is “heart,” 心. Heart

symbolizes the emotional plane, and also willpower, the soul, and inner
strength. 俞 is an altar of offerings to the gods for sacrifice, indicating consent,
approval, an affirmation from the Divine that all will be well. The arcane
meaning of 愈 is healing and recovery from illness. It is now also used to
indicate increase, to gain in greater quantities.

42
 28. Hardship

困
Kùn

Fear Creates Difficulty.

No Fear, No Difficulty.

Yang: An impediment to your growth causes your darkest

fears to set in. When there is restriction, free your
mind first, and then ground yourself. Push on without
fear. The roots of a young weed can break through
rock.

Yin: You have overcome substantial hardships in the past.

Learn from your suffering in a productive way, not
one that is self-destructive. If you are mindful of
lessons learned, then it will be favorable to proceed.

Etymological Notes. Wood (木), symbolizing assets, resources, money, and

also growth, nourishment, and development. The symbol 木 is trapped
within an enclosed box (囗). Confinement on all four sides. Surrounded by a
barrier, restricting growth; restricting access to the needed assets and
resources.

43
 29. A Sudden Jolt

震
Zhèn

An Upheaval. Seek Shelter.

The Rain Shall Pass and
Growth Will Come.

Yang: The sudden rain causes you to lose your way.

Tremors. Do not forget that rain brings growth in the
spring. Seek out shelter and wait it out. Be
conservative and do not take risks at this time.

Yin: Pouring rain. Seek shelter immediately, or risk illness.

Do not assert yourself or try to reach up for the sun
when the sky is nothing but clouds. Wait for the
clouds to pass, and then use the rainwater to inspire
your growth.

Etymological Notes. Rainfall (雨) in the early morning (辰). 辰 is the earthly
branch per the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which corresponds with the
Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, ruling the ascendant hours between 7:00 a.m.
and 9:00 a.m. Represents the third lunar month, or late spring, the Aries and
Taurus sun signs.

44
 30. Sentimentality

情
Qíng

A Verdant Heart. Growth Will Be

Guided by Intuition, Not Sense.

Yang: A verdant heart. Your subconscious is influencing

the emotions you feel. It is not the sun that inspires
growth here; it is by the light of the moon. Empathy
brings connection. Connection brings love.

Yin: You miss the mark when you too hard to be rational.
You do not yet possess the mental capacity to
understand. Instead, use your intuition to expand
that capacity. Then the rational will follow and you
will find the answer.

Etymological Notes. The Chinese radical for “heart” (心 or 忄) and 青, which

means “green, azure” or “verdant.” A heart open for growth. The moon (月)
can be symbolic of intuition, the subconscious, and the emotional plane.

45
 31. The Sword

劍
Jiàn

To Prevail, Use a Sword.

Cut Away the Excess.

Yang: Identify your sword, your arms, and strike. Cut out
that which stunts growth. Excess and rot must first
be removed. Then there will be room for success to
flourish.

Yin: Weeds grow rampant in your garden. You must

decide: save the trouble of weeding and risk losing
your bounty or get out there and cut away what does
not belong.

Etymological Notes. The Chinese radical for “blade” (刀 or 刂) and 僉,

indicating togetherness, a collective force, or a unanimous, assertive strike. 僉
is made up of “亼” (to assemble; to gather together), “吅” (noise; clamor;
aggressive sound; loud controversy; argument, conflict; oral dispute), and “从
” (two people walking together).

46
 32. Stability

恆
Héng

The Union Endures.

Alliance Brings Prosperity.

Yang: Conditions are in your favor. You have all the

resources you need to prevail. Great prosperity.
Strong prospects for marriage, partnership, and
alliances.

Yin: Great potential for future stability, but if you seek

longevity, then what looks calm on the surface must
be in constant movement below. True stability is
achieved by the constant state of creation and
transformation.

Etymological Notes. The Chinese radical for “heart” (心 or 忄), which also
symbolizes personal willpower, and 亙, indicating an extended, smooth plane;
expanding across; to endure through.

47
 33. Benevolence

善
Shàn

Compassion is the Exalted State.

Goodwill is Returned in Kind.

Yang: You achieve merit by giving generously, being

virtuous, and through mental cultivation. Your merits
bring you great success. There will be fruition. You
did not seek honor, and so now you are given it.
Emotional and social bonding.

Yin: Achieve the exalted state by virtuous conduct,

virtuous speech, and virtuous thought. Be truthful,
but never hurtful. There is strength in manifesting
the sheep. The sheep can go where the tiger cannot.
That is how you prevail.

Etymological Notes. A sheep (羊) and the exchange of speech (the double 言).
The sheep symbolizes heightened sensitivity for others, empathy, and a
gentle, virtuous nature. The oracle script depicts two people sheltered under
the symbol for “sheep,” representing their gentle, amicable, and cordial
nature. They are open to each other in harmony: emotional and social
bonding.

48
 Nine Card Lo Shu Spread
The Lo Shu (洛書, Luò Shū) dates back to prehistoric China, during the Xia
Dynasty (2100-1600 B.C.), and was used by prehistoric shamans, as far back as 2500
B.C. The Lo Shu comes with a fascinating story. According to legend, a turtle
emerged from a flooding river with the Lo Shu square imprinted on its shell. A
shaman king, Yu the Great (大禹, Dà Yǔ or 夏禹, Xià Yǔ), saw the turtle shell and
thus devised the Lo Shu. With the Lo Shu, Yu the Great was able to devise an
irrigation system that saved China from the floods. Medieval China was sectioned off
according to the nine sectors of the Lo Shu. Throughout history the Lo Shu square
has been used in feng shui, fortune-telling, divination, and other Eastern esoteric
practices.
The Lo Shu is a magic square where the numbers 1 through 9 are positioned
in a grid and equal the sum of 15 in every direction. Per Chinese tradition, the
number 15 represents the harmony of life and the order of the universe. The
number 15 is a product of the factor of 3, for the trinity of Heaven, Earth, and Man,
multiplied by the factor of 5, for the Wu Xing five phases and the five directions per
Chinese geomancy, north, south, east, west, and center. It is the number of the Tao,
the Way.
The nine sectors of the Lo Shu square are set forth on the subsequent page. I
use the nine sectors as reference for a nine card spread. When I set down the cards, I
am not terribly concerned with the order that the cards go in, trusting that whatever
order I go with, the end result will draw the right card into the corresponding Lo
Shu sector.
The Lo Shu spread is for general
readings when a seeker wants to get a
general snapshot of all aspects of his or
her life. Set the cards down into the
nine sectors in any order that
resonates with you, but be consistent.
Strive to use the same order every time
you perform a reading with the Lo Shu.
Note that setting the cards down by the
order of the numerical values of the
sectors (see illustration to the right)
forms a power sigil per Taoist craft.

Text from this section is based on text found in The Tao of Craft by Benebell Wen, forthcoming from
North Atlantic Books.

49
 The Lo Shu Square: A Nine Card Oracle Spread

4 9 2

Your Assets, Achievement of Love, Romance,

Finances, and Your Ambitions. Marriage, Civil
Personal Prosperity Social Status. Unions,
Relationships

3 5 7

The Domestic Health, Wellness Creativity,

Sphere, Home, Personal Vitality Innovations,
Family, Relatives, Fertility, Children
The Past

8 1 6

Knowledge, Professional Community

Education Development, Relations, Allies,
Higher Learning Career Friends
Arts and Culture

50
 How I Use the Cards
The following presents how I’ve been using the oracle cards.

That’s right. Nothing complicated here. I like to do one card draws with this deck.
With the one card draws, I’ll read with reversals to consider whether yin attributes
or yang are dominant in the prognostication. When crafting talismans, I will consult
the oracle deck with my inquiry, focusing on what it is I most want to manifest and
asking how I can best manifest that result. Then the card I draw reveals the oracle
script I’ll use for crafting the talisman.

51
I also like to use the oracle deck (any oracle deck, for that matter) with tarot. The
above photograph pictures a tarot reading. After the tarot spread has been
interpreted, if there are any cards I’d like further clarification on, or just
supplemental information for that specific tarot card, I’ll ask it of the oracle deck
and draw an oracle card over the tarot card. Personally, I’ve found remarkable
(unexplainable) synchronicities when I do this.

52
 List of All Cards
# Character Pin Yin English Name Divinatory Phrase

Radiating with Divine Light. Shielded

1 光 Guāng Luminescence
and Well Protected.
Affirmation. A Faultless Pairing.
2 對 Duì Affinity
Opposites Become Complements.
Great Capacity. Advancement. Peaking
3 豐 Fēng Abundance
to Fullness. Fruition.
Resting State. Balance. Stability.
4 平 Píng Serenity
Equanimity.
A Change in Position. Transference is
5 移 Yí Shift
Productive.
The Adept Meets the Adept. Nourishing
6 兌 Duì Exchange
Growth.
With Discipline and Guidance, a
7 師 Shī Teacher
Purpose Comes to Light.
Spinning In the Cycle. Seek Out an Exit.
8 輪 Lún The Wheel

An Occasion for a Voyage. Take on the

9 程 Chéng Journey
Expedition.
Controversy. Dissidence. Opposing
10 訟 Sòng Conflict
Views Bring Strife.
A Spirit Lingers Nearby. An Unseen
11 靈 Líng Spirit
Influence.
Developmental Phase. Prophesy of
12 鼎 Dǐng Cauldron
Success.
Expel the Poison, or Decay Will Set In.
13 蠱 Gǔ Poison

Seek Out Knowledge. The Written Word

14 書 Shū The Book
Elucidates.
Release and Unravel. Give Amnesty. Let
15 解 Jiě Untie the Knot
Go.
Toward Increase and Material Gains.
16 福 Fú Prosperity

53
 Ascension and Advancement. Gains in
17 祿 Lù Affluence
Status.
Vitality. Stamina. Life of Bliss. The Good
18 壽 Shòu Longevity
Endures.
Exert Greater Force. There is Unseen
19 強 Qiáng Force
Power.
Stagnation. Setbacks; Delay. Detention.
20 滯 Zhì Stasis
Be Patient.
Respite Is Needed for the Pursuit of Joy.
21 喜 Xǐ Joy

Structural Considerations. The Master

22 建 Jiàn To Establish
Builder Undertakes a Challenge.
One Becomes Two. Diverging Paths.
23 分 Fēn Split

Bring Together. Connect and Unite.

24 接 Jiē Adjoin

It Is Destiny. Continue On the Path.

25 命 Mìng Fate

Do Not Take the Bait. Resist the Lure.

26 餌 Ěr A Decoy

Full Recovery. More and More. Toward

27 愈 Yù Healing
the Better.
Fear Creates Difficulty. No Fear, No
28 困 Kùn Hardship
Difficulty.
An Upheaval. Seek Shelter. The Rain
29 震 Zhèn A Sudden Jolt
Shall Pass and Growth Will Come.
A Verdant Heart. Growth Will Be Guided
30 情 Qíng Sentimentality
by Intuition, Not Sense.
To Prevail, Use a Sword. Cut Away the
31 劍 Jiàn The Sword
Excess.
The Union Endures. Alliance Brings
32 恆 Héng Stability
Prosperity.
Compassion is the Exalted State.
33 善 Shàn Benevolence
Goodwill is Returned in Kind.

54
 Printing Your Own Oracle Deck Set

Printing the Cards Yourself

To print the cards yourself, use the document, “2015.09.09 Chinese Oracle Script
(Divination Cards)” that I’ve sent you.

You will need to set your printer options to “Print on Both Sides” and the sub-option
“Flip on Short Edge.” Use standard 8.5” x 11.0” paper. Personally, I used a 65 lb.
cover stock. If your printer can take it, go for heavier, like 110 lb. card stock. If that is
out of your budget, then regular print paper does suffice. However, with regular
print paper, the ink does seem to bleed through to the other side a bit, or at least it
did when I test-printed. Thus, heavier cardstock is optimal.

After printing them, you’ll note they come 3 cards to a page. I use a paper cutter, but
I’m sure scissors work just fine. Cutting reference lines are on the front face of the
cards. For aesthetic value (hey, I’m Type A), try to make sure you cut within the
dotted lines so none of the dotted lines actually show on the final cards.

Small, quick reference cards are provided underneath each of the corresponding
oracle cards, which might be easier to use than the guidebook. Personally, I
disregard the little reference cards and don’t use them at all.

Finally, once you’ve cut all the cards out, use a corner cutter to punch out rounded
edges. I use the Sun-Star Kadomaru Pro Corner Cutter. (That is not an
advertisement. They aren’t paying me a penny, but I’m including the brand and item
just in case you don’t know where to begin looking for one.) The aforementioned
cutter has 3 settings: small (3 mm), medium (5 mm), and large (8 mm). I use the
large (8 mm) setting.

55
Custom Ordered Oracle Deck

Another option is to custom order a single deck from a print-on-demand company. I

use www.makeplayingcards.com. When I ordered my deck in the smaller
Lenormand size, the total price came out to $15.99 ($10.00 for the card set and
$5.99 for shipping).

Note that if you order the deck from this particular website and use my templates,
you have to print them on the 63.5 mm x 88.9 mm (i.e., small playing card or
Lenormand) size because my image resolutions are not high enough for the larger
tarot size. If you try to print my templates on the larger tarot size, the quality will
probably be shit. However, if you’re a graphic design whiz, then please feel free to
manipulate the existing image files I’ve sent over to ready them for larger size
printing. That’s cool with me.

To upload the image files and custom order your own deck with my templates, use
the images from the file folder “Image Files for Chinese Oracle Script Cards.” The
image files are numbered per card number.

Making Changes to the Files

To produce a single deck for your own personal, private (or professional) uses, yes,
absolutely you may make any changes or modifications to the card image files I’ve
sent you. In fact, if you intend on printing them on larger than Lenormand size cards
through a print-on-demand company, I think you have to tweak the files. Beyond
that, if a different message for a script is channeled to you by your own guides, yes,
please feel free to modify the image files to reflect your personalized oracular
messages. If you’re one of those perfectionist graphic designers and want to
improve upon the resolution, again, yes, yes please go ahead and do so. If you want
to somehow creatively change the images to full color, I don’t know how you’d do
that but if you figure it out, yes, of course you can do it.

56
 Frequently Asked Questions

May I produce copies of this deck and sell it to others?

No.

May I offer professional divinatory readings to others that are for sale, using
this deck? Also, may I take photographs of the reading spreads using these
cards and send them to my clients?

Yes, of course!

I don’t love the design or layout you’ve provided, but love the concept of
Chinese oracle script divination. May I make alternations, edits, or
modifications to the deck?

Yes! Absolutely! Do as you will, but only for your personal uses. Derivatives of my
deck cannot be made available for sale or public distribution. However, you are free
to share and post at will images of the modification you’ve made to the divinatory
system.

May I post image files of the cards on my website or social media account?

Yes! Absolutely! However, please note that the images are of oracle cards that are
not available for sale or distribution to the public. You are free to share image files
or photographs of these cards, some of them or even all of them. Yep. I’m cool with
that! Again, just note the source of the cards.

May I take photographs of the personal working deck I’ve produced and share
those photographs publicly?

Yes! Absolutely!

While there is no “requirement” to tag me or link me to your postings, on a

completely personal level, I’d love to see the postings just to satiate my own
curiosities!

May I reprint passages from the Guidebook on my website or social media

account?

Yes! Absolutely! Standard citation or credit attribution etiquette is suggested, but

not necessary. I’m not going to police this.

57
May I use the oracle script divination concept you’ve provided here but create
divination stones or apply the divination system to another medium?

Yes, so long as it is for your personal, private uses only.

May I reproduce the Chinese calligraphy of the oracle scripts here?

Yes.

May I produce or print out a copy of the oracle deck and send it to someone
else?

No. If you know someone who would be interested in having his or her own copy of
the Chinese oracle script divination deck, then please have that person contact me
directly at benebellwen@live.com.

May I share the files you’ve sent me with someone else?

Please do not. They are for your personal, private uses as outlined herein. If you
know someone who would be interested in having his or her own copy of the
Chinese oracle script divination deck files, then please have that person contact me
directly at benebellwen@live.com.

58
 Legal Mumbo Jumbo
Because I can’t help myself…

Providing the following referenced files for the Chinese Oracle Script Divination
Cards and accompanying guidebook (“Content”) represents a limited license that
grants you the permission to reproduce the Content for your personal, private use
only. However, if you are a professional card reader, then you may use the cards for
the limited commercial purpose of providing card readings for your clients. All
rights are reserved with the original author and creator of Content. You are not
granted any right to produce Content for distribution or for any other commercial
purposes. No ownership or equitable rights are transferred. Any grant of rights or
permissions herein follows you only, as an individual, and cannot be transferred or
assigned to third parties. Any right conferred to you hereunder may be revoked by
the author and owner at any time, with or without cause, though if you have already
printed out a personal copy of the deck for your own private uses, then you may
certainly keep on using that copy for such uses.

Bottom Line:

If all you’re doing is printing out a copy of Content to use for yourself, whether that’s
in your personal, private readings or in the capacity of a professional card reader or
intuitive, then do as you will with the Content. Yes, you can take photos of them and
send to people. Yes, you can take photos of the cards or quote sections of the
Guidebook for your blog or social media accounts. Yes, you can use the Content in
any way you like when your sole purpose is to further education of the esoteric arts.

However, no rights are conferred whatsoever for the commercialization of these

cards. You (I hope this is obvious) cannot sell these cards or Guidebook, cause these
cards or Guidebook to be sold, make derivatives of my intellectual property and
monetize the Content, or in any way make money off the Content other than using
them in readings as a professional card reader. You also cannot grant the right to
use this intellectual property to anyone else. In other words, you cannot send these
files to anyone else and let them use it. The grant of rights is direct from me to you
only and you cannot then grant any rights therein to third parties. Any and all rights
to Content end with you as an individual, period. If someone you know might be
interested in obtaining a right to use these cards, then that person must contact me
directly at benebellwen@live.com. If you have any questions about a specific use of
the Content, please do not hesitate to e-mail me.

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