Guanyin Fortune Stick 12 (Upper Lot)
"The bottom has been reached, and better days are near..." So opens lot 12 in our translation. Below are the Chinese original, the full English, the story behind the poem, the traditional counsel and what it means in plain English.
The poem
時臨否極泰當來
抖擻從君出暗埃
若欲卯寅佳信至
管教立志事和諧
In English (our translation):
The bottom has been reached, and better days are near;
shake off the dust and come out of the dark and fear.
If you would have good news arrive in Mao or Yin,
set your will, and things will fall in harmony again.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 12 | Upper lot | Yin palace (寅宮) | Wu Ji Meets His Master (武吉遇師) |
The story: In "Investiture of the Gods" (封神演義), the woodcutter Wu Ji accidentally killed a man; Jiang Ziya saved him from punishment and took him as a disciple, and Wu Ji became a general.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「否去泰來咫尺間，暫交君子出于山，若逢虎兔佳音信，立志忙中事即閑」. The wording differs in places, but the sense stays close to the version above.
Shiyi and jieyue
The shiyi (詩意, "meaning of the poem") names the image in one line; the jieyue (解曰, "the reading") is a short four-character commentary.
| Item | Original | English |
|---|---|---|
| Shiyi | 此卦禍中有福之象。凡事先凶後吉也。 | The image of blessing inside misfortune. Bad first, good after. |
| Jieyue | 換麻得絲。擊人雙足。要見分明。因災得福。 | Trading hemp for silk; binding a man by both feet. You must see it clearly: through disaster you gain blessing. |
| Other editions | 擊有作繫 | In "binding a man by both feet" (擊人雙足), one edition has 繫 for 擊. |
Sacred counsel, item by item
The sacred counsel (聖意) gives a short verdict for each kind of question. Find the row that matches what you asked.
| Your question | Original | In English |
|---|---|---|
| Home and family | 安 | Peaceful |
| Yourself | 吉 | Favorable |
| Money | 有 | There is some |
| Deals and trade | 宜遲 | Better later |
| Marriage | 成 | Will succeed |
| Pregnancy | 男 | A boy |
| Someone away from home | 未回 | Not yet back |
| Crops and silkworms | 利 | Favorable |
| Livestock | 慎吉 | Favorable with care |
| Finding someone | 有信 | News will come |
| Lawsuits | 吉 | Favorable |
| Moving | 守舊 | Keep to the old |
| Lost items | 見 | Will be found |
| Family graves | 吉 | Favorable |
The traditional counsel also has an "Illness" item, which we do not list. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
What it means in plain English
When things hit bottom they turn. You are climbing out of a low point; set your mind on a goal and things will turn for the better.
A tip: Bad first, good after. Get through this stretch and it improves.
This is our reading of the words on the page. For how it applies to your own question, go by the temple where you drew the lot.
How to draw a Guanyin lot
- Light incense and tell Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, your name, birth date and address, then state one question clearly.
- Ask permission by casting the two crescent-shaped moon blocks (筊, jiao). One flat side up and one round side up is a "yes." Then shake the bamboo cylinder until a single numbered stick falls out.
- Confirm the stick with the blocks. A common custom is to ask for three "yes" throws in a row; if you do not get them, draw again.
- Collect the poem slip with the same number. Read the whole poem first, then look up the counsel item that matches your question. If it is unclear, the temple staff can interpret it for you.
Ask about one thing at a time. The more specific the question, the easier the poem is to apply.
Common misunderstandings
A lower lot means the thing will certainly fail.
A lower lot is usually a signal to pause, hold what you have, or change your approach. The same poem can mean different things for different questions.
You can keep drawing on the same question until you get an upper lot.
By custom you ask once per question. If you still have doubts, ask the temple for an interpretation, or ask again after some time has passed.
Previous lot: Lot 11. Next lot: Lot 13.
A straight word: the lots are a matter of faith, and the plain meanings are ours
The original poems, shiyi, jieyue and counsel items follow the 100 Guanyin lots compiled by the Jieqian Ge (解籤閣) site, checked lot by lot against two other sources; temples differ slightly in wording and in grades. The English verse, the plain meanings and the tips are our own readings of the words on the page, not a temple's official interpretation. For a real reading, ask the temple where you drew the lot. For legal, medical or financial questions, see a professional, and if you feel unwell, see a doctor. Everything on this site is for reference and entertainment.
Beyond the lot: your own chart
Enter your birth date to cast your free BaZi Four Pillars chart and see your Five Elements and Ten Gods.
Guanyin lot 12: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 12 a good or bad lot?
It is an upper lot, Yin palace (寅宮), and its story is "Wu Ji Meets His Master."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 12 say?
In Chinese: 「時臨否極泰當來，抖擻從君出暗埃，若欲卯寅佳信至，管教立志事和諧」. In our English: The bottom has been reached, and better days are near; shake off the dust and come out of the dark and fear. If you would have good news arrive in Mao or Yin, set your will, and things will fall in harmony again.
What does Guanyin lot 12 mean?
When things hit bottom they turn. You are climbing out of a low point; set your mind on a goal and things will turn for the better. A tip: Bad first, good after. Get through this stretch and it improves.