Biography of Wanyan, Xuan

Begin Your I Ching Journey

Congratulations on taking this meaningful step into the wisdom of the I Ching, an ancient art that empowers those who seek clarity and transformation.

Who I Am, and Why I Work with the I Ching

I graduated from Columbia University and trained in Artificial Intelligence and Accounting. I am a licensed CPA. I worked in financial management for Big Four firms and publicly listed companies.

Moreover, I am a descendant of the Wanyan family, the royal house of China’s Jin Dynasty. In my family, spiritual cultivation and I Ching divination have passed from generation to generation. One direct ancestor attained enlightenment. For us, I Ching divination is both a method for practice and a living family tradition.

Why Six Lines Divination and Wen Wang Gua (Na Jia Method) Matters

Many Western readers know the “Da Yan Method.” It uses yarrow stalks to cast a hexagram and interprets the hexagram and line texts. In practice, this method became secondary in China after the Han Dynasty, since it is complex and places high demands on the diviner.

By contrast, Na Jia Method (Six Lines Divination, Wen Wang Gua) analyzes Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, and Five Element interactions. It focuses on structure, timing, and real cases. Practitioners often combine it with Da Yan and Plum Blossom Numerology. As a result, Na Jia remains the mainstream and most precise method in China today for studying the I Ching through practice.

The Global Gap in I Ching Learning Resources

Outside the Chinese-speaking world, Na Jia is almost unknown. Existing books are mostly second-hand interpretations. A person who wants to learn systematically finds no reliable path, no source texts, and no clear sequence.

After extensive research, I found no complete, systematic English translation of Six Lines Divination and the Na Jia Method. Therefore, I decided to bring the original system to a global audience with fidelity and clarity. In particular, my goal is to provide a clear learning pathway for non-Chinese speakers.

What I Translated, and Why Translation Is Hard

I translated nearly all core classics for Six Lines Divination and the Na Jia Method. These texts are the foundation for learning the method. You can find them on ichingstream.com or on Amazon and other platforms.

Furthermore, few people have completed this task for two reasons. First, top practitioners in China rarely have the English skills or the resources to bring the full system overseas. Second, the Na Jia Method uses deeply localized concepts, including Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, Yin and Yang, Six Relationships, Monthly Branches, Daily Branches, and the Five Elements. These ideas have no direct English equivalents.

Consequently, a faithful I Ching translation needs someone fluent in both cultures. It also needs clear annotation and examples so non-Chinese speakers can truly learn. I committed years to this work.

A Notation System that Speeds Up Study

To lower the learning curve for Six Lines Divination, I designed a simple notation and translation system. I convert Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches into Roman numerals and Latin letters. The sequence remains intact, and learners can memorize it faster (you probably do not need to memorize it, since the English alphabet is basic knowledge for anyone who speaks English).

Additionally, I standardized technical terms across my translated classics, my own books, the Chinese perpetual calendar, and the site’s online casting tools and AI features. With rigorous translation and modern tools, learners worldwide can master this precise approach to the I Ching. Notably, many Chinese readers also find these English resources straightforward.

Why I Ching Practice Matters for Real Life

A classic saying advises, “To study the I Ching, begin with divination.” Many great scholars, such as Shao Yong, were master diviners. Through steady practice, one grasps the larger laws at work. Over time, the wise no longer need to cast. They foresee developments, avoid misfortune, and shape destiny with insight.

Therefore, through this website, my books, courses, tools, and our community, I hope you start this path. Ultimately, learn the I Ching so deeply that one day, you no longer need to divine.

Join the Community and Learn Together

Our community grows through personalized readings, workshops, and online webinars. Many meaningful connections form during these sessions. Participants share a deep interest in the I Ching and Six Lines Divination.

Meanwhile, the teachings offer guidance through life’s complexities, and our community provides support and shared growth. Many continue the conversation after class, trading experiences and resources. Together, we build skill, insight, and confidence in the practice.

If you would like to learn with a growing community, explore our membership plans, join a live webinar, and connect with readers through the I Ching Stream Substack. Schedules, resources, and membership details are at ichingstream.com.

Explore I Ching Books and Courses

For more books, courses, and case studies, please visit ichingstream.com to explore English translations of classical I Ching divination texts, including:

• I Ching Divination – Complete and Restored (增删卜易, Zengshan Buyi)
• The Orthodox Method of I Ching Divination (卜筮正宗, Bushi Zhengzong) – “Golden Strategy”
• Fire Pearl Forest – I Ching (Six Lines) Divination Classical Text (火珠林, Huo Zhu Lin)
• Undersea Eye – The Core Principles of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (海底眼, Haidi Yan)
• Collected Insights on I Ching Divination (易洞林, Yi Donglin) – including Donglin Secret Manual 洞林秘诀, Guo Shi Donglin 郭氏洞林, and Zhouyi Donglin 周易洞林
• Hidden Principles Ode: A Classic of I Ching (Six Lines) Divination (阐奥歌章, Chan Ao Ge Zhang)
• Principles and Odes of I Ching Divination: Including Mysterious and Subtle Discourse and Celestial Mysteries Ode (通玄妙论, Tong Xuan Miao Lun and 天玄赋, Tian Xuan Fu)
• Studies on Ancient I Ching Divination Cases (周易古筮考, Zhouyi Gushi Kao)
• I Ching Divination Guide (卜筮元龟, Bushi Yuangui)
• The Complete Book of Divination (卜筮全书, Bushi Quanshu)
• Supplement to the I Ching Forest (易林补遗, Yi Lin Bu Yi)
• I Ching Forest (易林, Yi Lin)
• Unveiling Forces in I Ching Divination (易冒, Yi Mao)
• Celestial Secrets of I Ching Divination (断易天机, Duanyi Tianji)
• The Concealed Dimensions of I Ching Divination (易隐, Yi Yin)
• and more.

The site also offers comprehensive courses for deeper study, with all materials available in both digital and print formats (in the furture).