Plum Blossom Numerology (Meihua Yishu) stands out among the many methods of hexagram casting. It requires no repeated counting of yarrow stalks, nor six rounds of tossing three coins—often a single number, a specific hour, the cry of a bird, or a falling petal is enough to cast a hexagram. Precisely because this "random image-taking" is so light and effortless, many beginners raise a question: if I am restless, hesitant, or even lost in scattered thoughts while casting, will the resulting hexagram still be accurate? Could an unstable state of mind "disturb" the hexagram?
This question may seem simple, but it touches on the very core of Plum Blossom Numerology—the mind.
Why Plum Blossom Numerology Is Called "Xin Yi" (Heart-Mind Change)
The classic text Meihua Yishu opens by repeatedly emphasizing the term "Xin Yi," or Heart-Mind Change. This does not mean that the hexagram is determined by your subjective imagination, but rather that the act of casting a hexagram is, in essence, a process of "using my mind to connect with the workings of heaven and earth." Traditional divination holds that all things in heaven and earth are ceaselessly shifting and changing, and that when a person's thought stirs at a given moment to cast a hexagram, that thought is like a stone dropped into water—forming a connection with the qi and timing of that particular moment and place.
In other words, what Plum Blossom Numerology values is not how many elaborate steps you follow, but rather that single instant of casting—whether your mind and the outer world truly "resonate" with one another. As the ancients said:
When the mind stirs, divine; when things move, divine; when touched by something, divine.
The key here lies in "stirring" and "sincerity." What should truly prompt you to cast a hexagram is a natural, focused, and concentrated thought—not a half-hearted, distracted gesture. Traditional thought therefore holds that the state of mind during casting is not an irrelevant backdrop, but a "variable" directly involved in the process. If the mind is unsettled, the resonance is not genuine; if the resonance is not genuine, the resulting image is not accurate. This is precisely why Plum Blossom Numerology places such emphasis on calming the mind.
Where an Unstable Mind May Cause Interference
From the perspective of traditional divination theory, the "interference" caused by a wavering mind during casting is not some mystical force that "changes the hexagram," but rather manifests in several concrete stages:
First, the randomness of image-taking becomes tainted by subjective intent. Plum Blossom Numerology stresses "taking without selecting." For instance, when casting by time, one should honestly take the true year, month, day, and hour of that very moment; when casting by sound, one should take the single natural sound that reaches the ear. But when the mind is restless and eager for quick results, people often unconsciously start "picking"—this number seems inauspicious, so I'll wait for another; this bird's cry doesn't satisfy me, so I'll choose a different one. Once this kind of calculation—seeking gain and avoiding harm—creeps in, the image-taking loses its original "naturalness," and the hexagram loses the very meaning of "resonance" it was meant to carry.
Second, casting repeatedly for the same matter. The most common flaw of an unsettled mind is casting the same question over and over, seeking confirmation again and again. If the hexagram received is not to one's liking, one switches methods and casts again, until the result matches one's wishes. Tradition offers a clear warning on this:
Without sincerity, do not divine; without doubt, do not divine; for one matter, do not divine again.
Why the emphasis on "not casting again for the same matter"? Because the hexagram cast the first time, with focused and concentrated attention, is considered the truest resonance with the qi of that moment. Questioning repeatedly thereafter fills the mind with "what result do I want," and as thoughts grow increasingly scattered, the hexagrams cast naturally drift further and further from the original question. This is not a failure of the hexagram's efficacy, but a sign that the questioner has already lost that singular sincerity of thought.
Third, psychological projection during interpretation. Even if the hexagram itself is cast properly, an anxious and unsettled state of mind can still seriously distort its reading. When emotions are in turmoil, people easily project their own fears or hopes onto the lines of the hexagram—reading danger into what is actually a calm sign, or overlooking a sign of turnaround that is clearly present. Plum Blossom Numerology places great weight on the Ti Yong (Substance and Function) relationships of mutual generation and control, as well as on Wai Ying (external correspondences), and these subtle judgments all require a calm, objective mind. When the mind is in disarray, interpretation loses its footing.
It becomes clear, then, that so-called "interference" is less about the mind changing the fortune or misfortune indicated by a hexagram, and more about the mind disrupting every link in the complete chain of "image-taking—casting—interpretation."
How to Settle Your Mind Before Casting a Hexagram
Once you understand the reasoning above, the approach becomes clear. Plum Blossom Numerology does not require you to attain a state of perfect, unshakable calm before casting a hexagram, but it does require that, in the very moment your thought arises, you strive to be as focused and sincere as possible. The following points may serve as a reference:
First, clarify what you are asking. Before casting, think through your question clearly and make it specific. The more precise the question, the more concentrated the thought, and the more focused the resonance. A vague question like "How am I doing lately?" is far less clear than something specific, such as "Should I move forward with this matter or step back?"
Give yourself a moment of stillness. There's no need for the solemnity of burning incense and bathing beforehand, but at the very least, take a few deep breaths before casting to let your scattered thoughts settle. Once the mind is even slightly calmer, the image-taking will naturally be less affected by subjective bias.
Fix the image on the first take—no picking, no switching. Whether casting by number, by time, or by an object, the first image that naturally appears is your hexagram. Once it has been cast, accept it calmly—this is precisely what it means to respect the word "random."
Cast only once per matter. If the result is unclear at first, it is better to set it aside and observe further "external correspondences" in real life, rather than immediately switching methods and casting again. The true answer often only emerges once you have calmed your mind and reviewed the situation.
Accept the hexagram as a reference, not a verdict. Maintaining this mindset alone will help you stay more at ease. Plum Blossom Numerology is a mirror that helps you reflect on the present moment and clarify your thinking—it is not an authority that makes decisions for you. When the mind relaxes, it becomes easier to grasp the true meaning within the hexagram.
It should be noted that behind these methods lies a cultural mindset oriented toward focus, sincerity, and self-reflection, rather than any guaranteed predictive power.
Returning to the original question: does an unstable state of mind interfere with hexagram casting? From the standpoint of Plum Blossom Numerology's theory, the answer is yes—but this "interference" is not the work of some mysterious force. Rather, an unsettled mind makes the image-taking less genuine; endless repeated questioning makes thoughts more chaotic; and fluctuating emotions make interpretation less accurate. The reason Plum Blossom Numerology is called "Xin Yi" is precisely to remind every learner: the hexagram lies outside, the mind lies within; to obtain a true image, first settle the mind. When you can face the matter at hand with quiet focus, you may discover that the true value of casting a hexagram lies not in foreseeing the outcome, but in bringing a restless mind back to clarity and steadiness.
Articles in this column are for cultural and educational purposes only and do not constitute life advice.