Guanyin Fortune Stick 83 (Middle Lot)
"Like the moon on the third, fourth, fifth nights of the month..." So opens lot 83 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
譬若初三四五蟾
半無半有未完全
須教十五良宵夜
到處清光到處圓
In English (our translation):
Like the moon on the third, fourth, fifth nights of the month,
half there and half not there, not yet complete at once.
You must wait until the fine night of the fifteenth comes,
when clear light is everywhere and everywhere is full.
| Lot | Grade | Palace | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 83 | Middle lot | Wei palace (未宮) | Li Yuan Takes the Throne (李淵登位) |
The story: Li Yuan, a Sui official, rose against the collapsing dynasty and became the first emperor of the Tang.
The other version
Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「譬若初三四五缺，半無半有未圓全，等待十五良宵夜，到處光明到處圓」. 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 | 此卦月缺未圓之象。凡事守候忍耐也。 | The image of a waning moon not yet full. Wait and be patient. |
| Jieyue | 守舊待時。如月初出。待等圓時。無有不吉。 | Keep to the old and wait for the time, like the new moon rising. Wait until it is full, and nothing will be unlucky. |
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 | 許願 | Make a vow |
| Yourself | 夏秋吉 | Good in summer and autumn |
| Money | 謹守 | Guard carefully |
| Deals and trade | 待時 | Wait for the time |
| Marriage | 遲 | Late |
| Pregnancy | 生女 | A girl |
| Someone away from home | 阻 | Blocked |
| Crops and silkworms | 平穩 | Steady |
| Livestock | 平穩 | Steady |
| Finding someone | 難 | Difficult |
| Lawsuits | 和 | Settle |
| Moving | 守舊 | Keep to the old |
| Lost items | 難 | Difficult |
| Family graves | 改 | Make a change |
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
The moon on the third to fifth of the month is only a sliver. You have to wait until the fifteenth for the full moon.
A tip: Things are not ready yet. Wait patiently for them to ripen.
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 82. Next lot: Lot 84.
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 83: common questions
Is Guanyin fortune stick 83 a good or bad lot?
It is a middle lot, Wei palace (未宮), and its story is "Li Yuan Takes the Throne."
What does the poem of Guanyin lot 83 say?
In Chinese: 「譬若初三四五蟾，半無半有未完全，須教十五良宵夜，到處清光到處圓」. In our English: Like the moon on the third, fourth, fifth nights of the month, half there and half not there, not yet complete at once. You must wait until the fine night of the fifteenth comes, when clear light is everywhere and everywhere is full.
What does Guanyin lot 83 mean?
The moon on the third to fifth of the month is only a sliver. You have to wait until the fifteenth for the full moon. A tip: Things are not ready yet. Wait patiently for them to ripen.