The Pace of Yu: "Already Across" and "Not Yet Across"

This page illustrates the "Pace of Yu" (禹步), a ritual gait in Taoist practice and military divination (Dunjia). The diagrams show two configurations named after the I Ching hexagrams Ji Ji (既濟, "Already Across") and Wei Ji (未濟, "Not Yet Across"). Practitioners walk these patterns to align themselves with the Nine Stars (Cosmic Constellations) of the Big Dipper to summon divine protection.

The Pace of Yu: Already Across

(Refers to the Left-hand diagram)

• Celestial Brilliance Star Original: Ying (英)
• Celestial Grain Star, to the Right Original: Rui (芮)
• The Assistant Star, to the right, three steps Original: Fu (輔)
• Celestial Destructor Star, to the Left Original: Chong (沖)
• Celestial Bird Star, to the Right Original: Qin (禽)
• Celestial Pillar Star, to the Left Original: Zhu (柱)
• Celestial Ambassador Star, to the right, one step Original: Ren (任)
• Celestial Grass Star, to the Left Original: Peng (蓬)
• Celestial Heart Star, to the right, two steps Original: Xin (心)

The Pace of Yu: Not Yet Across

(Refers to the Right-hand diagram)

• To the Left: Celestial Brilliance Star
• To the Right: Celestial Grain Star
• The Assistant Star, to the right, two steps
• To the Left: Celestial Destructor Star
• To the Left: Celestial Bird Star
• To the Left: Celestial Pillar Star
• The Ambassador Star, to the Right
• To the Left: Celestial Grass Star
• The Celestial Heart Star, to the right, three steps

The Method of the Pace of Yu

Original: Yubu Fa. The "Pace of Yu" is a fundamental Taoist ritual dance. Legend says the Great Yu, the mythical tamer of floods, developed this dragging gait while laboring to save China. In esoteric practice, walking these patterns allows the practitioner to "tread the stars" and exert control over the spiritual world.

The first initial movement of a foot is not counted among the Nine StepsA complete ritual sequence representing the stars of the Big Dipper plus two invisible companion stars.. However, they follow one another in succession. Each single pace is seven feet long, and three combined make twenty-one feet; thus, it is called "Seeing the Tracks." By performing the Pace of Yu, one successfully forms the Hexagram of Already FulfilledOriginal: Ji Ji. The 63rd hexagram of the I Ching. It represents a state of perfect completion and order, where fire and water are in balance..

Stand upright with the right foot in front and the left foot behind. First, move the left foot forward. Next, move the right foot forward. Then, bring the left foot to meet the right foot so they are side-by-side...