Guanyin Fortune Stick 81 (Upper Lot)

"Before the court the leaves are falling, late in autumn's day..." So opens lot 81 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):

Before the court the leaves are falling, late in autumn's day;
the traveler hurries on his road as if he'd fly away.
Thanks to heaven, who lent a gentle hand to help him go,
a fair wind sends the treasure ship home, in a steady flow.

The story: Legend says a divine wind carried the young poet Wang Bo seven hundred li in one night to a banquet at Prince Teng's Pavilion, where his preface made him famous.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「梧桐葉落秋將暮，行客歸程去似雲，謝得天公高著力，順風船載寶珍歸」. 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

Leaves falling in late autumn and a traveler hurrying on his way: with a little help from heaven, a fair wind brings the treasure ship home.

A tip: Bad first, good after. Get through the change of season.

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 80. Next lot: Lot 82.