Guanyin Fortune Stick 30 (Middle Lot)
"I urge you, do not go to others asking for their aid..." So opens lot 30 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
勸君切莫向他求
似鶴飛來暗箭投
若去採薪蛇伏草
恐遭毒手也堪憂
In English (our translation):
I urge you, do not go to others asking for their aid:
you are a crane in flight, and hidden arrows are being laid.
If you go out cutting firewood, snakes lie in the grass;
you may fall into cruel hands, and grief will come to pass.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 30 | Middle lot | Wu palace (午宮) | The Great Gathering at the Chessboard (棋盤大會) |
The story: Named for a gathering in the Sui-Tang hero tales where rivals met under a show of friendship, with danger hidden beneath it.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「勸君切莫向他求，似鶴飛來暗箭投，若去采薪蛇在草，恐遭毒口也憂愁」. 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 | 此卦安份守己之象。凡事小心謹防也。 | The image of knowing your place and keeping to yourself. Be careful and on guard. |
| Jieyue | 閉口含齒。他事莫理。若有虧心。到頭害己。 | Close your mouth and hold your teeth; pay no heed to others' affairs. If you have wronged your conscience, in the end you harm yourself. |
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 | 平平 | Average |
| Money | 待時 | Wait for the time |
| Deals and trade | 滯 | Stalled |
| Marriage | 未許 | Not yet granted |
| Pregnancy | 虛驚 | A false alarm |
| Someone away from home | 阻隔 | Cut off |
| Crops and silkworms | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Livestock | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Finding someone | 阻隔 | Cut off |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 守舊 | Keep to the old |
| Lost items | 不見 | Will not be found |
| Family graves | 大吉 | Very 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
Do not go looking outside for help. There are hidden arrows and snakes in the grass out there; someone may be plotting against you.
A tip: For now, stay out of other people's business and watch what you say.
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 29. Next lot: Lot 31.
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 30: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 30 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Wu palace (午宮), and its story is "The Great Gathering at the Chessboard."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 30 say?
In Chinese: 「勸君切莫向他求，似鶴飛來暗箭投，若去採薪蛇伏草，恐遭毒手也堪憂」. In our English: I urge you, do not go to others asking for their aid: you are a crane in flight, and hidden arrows are being laid. If you go out cutting firewood, snakes lie in the grass; you may fall into cruel hands, and grief will come to pass.
What does Guanyin lot 30 mean?
Do not go looking outside for help. There are hidden arrows and snakes in the grass out there; someone may be plotting against you. A tip: For now, stay out of other people's business and watch what you say.