Guanyin Fortune Stick 92 (Upper Lot)

"In trade you profit, and your heart is well content..." So opens lot 92 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):

In trade you profit, and your heart is well content;
fortune, rank and glory grow, with double wealth well spent.
If you ask about advancement and the hopes you hold,
the scholar goes out once and comes back first-place gold.

The story: A folk tale of an official named Cai who, having risen in the world, repaid those who had helped him when he was poor.

The other version

Guanyin lots circulate in two common wordings. For this lot the other version reads 「自幼為商任設謀，財祿盈豐不用求，若是雙身謀望事，秀才出去狀元回」. 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

Business brings profit, and fortune and glory follow. For hopes of advancement, the scholar passes the exam at the first try and comes home first on the list.

A tip: Work hard and spend carefully, and the results will follow.

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 91. Next lot: Lot 93.