Guanyin Fortune Stick 23 (Middle Lot)
"You wish to climb the moon's palace and pluck the cassia bough..." So opens lot 23 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
欲攀仙桂蟾宮去
豈慮天門不放開
謀望一般音信好
高人自送嶺頭來
In English (our translation):
You wish to climb the moon's palace and pluck the cassia bough;
why fear the gate of heaven will not open for you now?
Your plans and hopes will all receive good news,
and a worthy person brings it to the ridge for you to use.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 23 | Middle lot | Si palace (巳宮) | Gao Huaide Wins a Bride (懷德招親) |
The story: In Song-dynasty folk stories, the young general Gao Huaide won a marriage match and married into a noble house.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「欲扳仙桂入蟾宮，普開天門不任君，忽遇一般音信好，人人皆笑嶺頂花」. 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 | 此卦手扳仙桂之象。凡事必有貴人也。 | The image of reaching for the immortal cassia. There will surely be a noble helper. |
| Jieyue | 商賈利益。行戴有(無)危。病安訟遂。盡可施為。 | Merchants profit; travelers have (or: have no) danger. Illness eases, lawsuits go your way; all things can be done. |
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 | 欠安 | Not quite at ease |
| Yourself | 作福 | Do good works |
| Money | 遂意 | As you wish |
| Deals and trade | 合 | Agreement reached |
| Marriage | 阻 | Blocked |
| Pregnancy | 作福 | Do good works |
| Someone away from home | 有危 | Some danger |
| Crops and silkworms | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Livestock | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Finding someone | 難 | Difficult |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 欠吉 | Not quite favorable |
| Lost items | 見 | Will be found |
| Family graves | 舊吉 | Leave as it is |
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
You want to pluck the cassia on the moon, that is, to win honors, and the gate of heaven will open. The news is good, and someone capable will come forward to help.
A tip: Be ready to catch the chance when it comes; prepare in ordinary times.
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 22. Next lot: Lot 24.
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 23: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 23 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Si palace (巳宮), and its story is "Gao Huaide Wins a Bride."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 23 say?
In Chinese: 「欲攀仙桂蟾宮去，豈慮天門不放開，謀望一般音信好，高人自送嶺頭來」. In our English: You wish to climb the moon's palace and pluck the cassia bough; why fear the gate of heaven will not open for you now? Your plans and hopes will all receive good news, and a worthy person brings it to the ridge for you to use.
What does Guanyin lot 23 mean?
You want to pluck the cassia on the moon, that is, to win honors, and the gate of heaven will open. The news is good, and someone capable will come forward to help. A tip: Be ready to catch the chance when it comes; prepare in ordinary times.