Guanyin Fortune Stick 60 (Lower Lot)
"You carry firewood to put the fire out, and the smoke grows higher..." So opens lot 60 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
抱薪救火火增烟
燒卻三千及大千
若問營謀併出入
不如收拾莫憂燃
In English (our translation):
You carry firewood to put the fire out, and the smoke grows higher,
burning through three thousand worlds and more, the great fire.
If you ask about your plans, or going out and coming in,
better put it all away and not stir the flames again.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 60 | Lower lot | Yin palace (寅宮) | The Battle of Red Cliffs (赤壁鏖兵) |
The story: At Red Cliffs in 208, the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei burned Cao Cao's chained fleet and broke his southern campaign.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「抱薪救火大皆燃，燒遍三千亦復然，若問榮華并出入，不如收拾枉勞心」. 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 | 此卦抱薪救火之象。凡事亦自謹防也。 | The image of carrying firewood to fight a fire. Be on your guard in everything. |
| Jieyue | 有千般計。一旦相惹。不如莫動。恐惹禍身。 | You have a thousand schemes, but once they stir things up, it is better not to move, lest you bring trouble on 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 | 凶 | Unfavorable |
| Yourself | 祈保 | Pray for protection |
| Money | 微微 | A little |
| Deals and trade | 不合 | Not a match |
| Marriage | 不合 | Not a match |
| Pregnancy | 險 | Risky |
| Someone away from home | 滯 | Stalled |
| Crops and silkworms | 不利 | Unfavorable |
| Livestock | 損 | Losses |
| Finding someone | 杳 | No word |
| Lawsuits | 虧 | You lose out |
| Moving | 吉 | Favorable |
| Lost items | 西方 | Look to the west |
| Family graves | 平平 | Average |
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
Carrying firewood to put out a fire only makes it burn hotter. For plans and travel, it is better to stop for now.
A tip: Do not use the wrong method on a problem, or it will only get worse.
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 59. Next lot: Lot 61.
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 60: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 60 a good or bad lot?
It is a lower lot, Yin palace (寅宮), and its story is "The Battle of Red Cliffs."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 60 say?
In Chinese: 「抱薪救火火增烟，燒卻三千及大千，若問營謀併出入，不如收拾莫憂燃」. In our English: You carry firewood to put the fire out, and the smoke grows higher, burning through three thousand worlds and more, the great fire. If you ask about your plans, or going out and coming in, better put it all away and not stir the flames again.
What does Guanyin lot 60 mean?
Carrying firewood to put out a fire only makes it burn hotter. For plans and travel, it is better to stop for now. A tip: Do not use the wrong method on a problem, or it will only get worse.