Yes, in my book it says that the Shang dynasty (1766-1122 b.c.) used tortoise shells, about things involving the royal court, such as hunts, weather, ceremonies, expeditions, royal enthronements etc… this is why these metaphors from that time are used throughout. The tortoise shell, which is naturally a kind of grid, was heated by fire until cracks appeared and the patterns of cracks were read. They’re also called “Cowrie shells” throughout the book, I don’t know if that means they used another kind of shell or not? Or it might be another word for tortoise shell.
The Zhou dynasty (1122-221 b.c.) used yarrow sticks. The writer of my book says you can use anything, he came up with a system of using gemstones for instance, while imprisoned. He was in jail in China for 22 years during which he was interrogated constantly and on constant death sentence. During that time he could not remember the I Ching, but says he remembered the “Tao of I” which is the only thing that got him through those years. I imagine that is referring to a kind of Taoism… I’m not sure.
I don’t really know what the “Tao of I” is actually, I should find out sometime. I’m not sure if its Lao Tzu -I’m not good with history, but it could be something very similar.
To Averick, I did listen to the Art of War on Tape, and yes… well I don’t know if my ears fell asleep or not but I did. I can see how dense and precious it is though, it warrants much much more attention than just listening to it like that – most of it just went over my head and I started drifting away. I should look for it on paper. Its also very political and psychological which are areas I’m not so great with, but it is very profound, from the bits I did glean. I’ll give it another try if I find the book.