Guanyin Fortune Stick 20 (Middle Lot)

"After long spring rains, the first clear day brings cheer..." So opens lot 20 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

In English (our translation):

After long spring rains, the first clear day brings cheer;
the jade hare and the golden crow grow brighter, drawing near.
Old matters are completed, new ones go your way:
watch, and with a single leap you reach the isles of Penglai.

The story: Jiang Ziya fished at the Wei River with a straight hook, waiting for a worthy ruler. In old age he met King Wen of Zhou, who made him his chief adviser.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「當春久雨喜開晴，玉兔金烏漸漸明，舊事消散新事遂，看看一跳遇龍門」. 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.

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.

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

The first clear day after long rain, with sun and moon growing brighter. Old matters are settled, new ones go smoothly, and you are about to move up a level.

A tip: Now that the weather has cleared, push forward the things you have been meaning to do.

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

1. Light incense and tell Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, your name, birth date and address, then state one question clearly.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Previous lot: Lot 19. Next lot: Lot 21.