I Ching
Interpreted by wu wei

Preparation

In divination, you must be motivated by what is honorable, correct, and virtuous. The law of cause and effect is absolute: every action produces a result, and the result is always in perfect accord with the action. If you are not as you should be, even the best opportunity and counsel will come to nothing. The hard lessons you learn for not being as you should be are not a form of punishment, but are for the purpose of guiding you onto the correct path.
Find a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed. Because this is an inquiry that probes the heart of the most spiritual essence of the universe, to feel reverence is appropriate. At all times, the objects used for divination should be treated as sacred objects. They should not be tossed about but handled carefully. Perhaps you have a favorite blanket or mat to spread out, upon which you will place yourself and your objects of divination, or, if the mat or blanket is small, only your objects of divination. A bed is a good place to sit while your inquiry is being made, provided your back is supported. Whatever place you choose, be comfortable.
Light the incense, pass all the objects being used in the divination through the smoke three times, one at a time, in a circular motion, beginning with your hand. Upon the paper write the date, time, and location of your inquiry. Write your question and pass it through the smoke three times.
In my own preparation for asking questions, I softly beat an octagonal shaped drum I made. One each of the eight sides of the drum is burned in one of the eight trigrams. While I beat the drum, I humbly ask the great spirits of Fu Hsi, King Wen, and his son, Tan, the formulators of the I Ching, to attend my quest, and I thank them for creating this wonderful system. I ask them to please excuse my ignorance and to overlook my many shortcomings.