Guanyin Fortune Stick 46 (Middle Lot)

"I urge you to endure and keep your old way of life..." So opens lot 46 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):

I urge you to endure and keep your old way of life;
hold body and mind steady; do not heed the words of strife.
Wait until somebody lends a light hand to your cause,
and the dead trees in the garden will blossom without pause.

The story: Jiang Ziya fished on the Wei River with a straight hook and no bait, patiently waiting for a ruler who would recognize him.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「勤君耐守舊生涯，把定心腸勿起歹，直待有人輕著力，枯枝老樹再生花」. 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.

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

Stick patiently with the work you have and ignore bad advice. When someone gives you a small push, even a withered tree will flower again.

A tip: Hold steady and stay put. When the time comes, things will turn.

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 45. Next lot: Lot 47.