I Ching

I Ching was, as Barbara once told Ruby Duvall, "some kind of Taoist oracle". It did not foretell the future, but merely clarified a likely course of events. (PROSE: Iceberg) An ancient Chinese book of philosophy, it was accessed by random samplings that affected the broad flow of the material universe. The I Ching methodology cast doubt on the value of normal causalistic procedures. One traditional method of consulting it was the tossing of coins. (TV: Warriors' Gate)

When Barbara did an I Ching reading for Ruby's birthday, she got:

No level way not followed by decline.

No outward path not followed by return.

Continue mindful of danger. No blame.

On the back of the birthday card was scrawled:

He arrives like a bird, heedless of his wealth.

The walls return to water. No use for army now.

This last passage predicted the Cybermen's defeat soon thereafter. (PROSE: Iceberg)

It was recorded in the data bank of K9 Mark II. I Ching was known to the Fourth Doctor, who claimed to apply its philosophy, and Romana, who labelled it as a superstition. Adric tried it, under K9's supervision, resulting in the Hexagram 9 (Hsiao Ch"u, "The Taming Power of the Small"): "If you are sincere, blood vanishes and fear gives way.". (TV: Warriors' Gate)