Guanyin Fortune Stick 85 (Middle Lot)

"Beyond the reopened hills the old affairs lie stored..." So opens lot 85 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):

Beyond the reopened hills the old affairs lie stored;
in the garden of ten thousand treasures you'll be gathered and restored.
Drunk, you chant new poems and your spirits lift and soar;
a noble one will lead you up to the road of clouds and more.

The story: On his way into exile, the Tang writer Han Yu was snowbound at Lan Pass and met his grandnephew Han Xiangzi, who had foretold the scene years before.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「雲闇霧罩山前路，萬物圓中月再圓，若得詩書沉夢醒，貴人指引步天臺」. 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

Sort out what came before, and things can come back together. Someone influential leads you on, and you rise step by step.

A tip: A late chance is just as precious as an early one.

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 84. Next lot: Lot 86.