Mazu Fortune Stick No. 18 · Xiao Chu Hexagram
汝是懸崖一樹梅，一塵不染向春開，待得綠葉成蔭後，結子滿枝調鼎來。 You are a plum tree on the cliff's edge, blooming toward spring without a speck of dust. Wait until the green leaves give shade, then fruit will crowd the boughs to season the great cauldron.
The poem
汝是懸崖一樹梅
You are a plum tree on the cliff's edge,
一塵不染向春開
blooming toward spring without a speck of dust.
待得綠葉成蔭後
Wait until the green leaves give shade,
結子滿枝調鼎來
then fruit will crowd the boughs to season the great cauldron.
| Lot | Hexagram |
|---|---|
| No. 18 第十八首 | Xiao Chu 小畜 (Small Taming) |
Readings by topic
| Topic | Reading |
|---|---|
| Career & exams | First of all the flowers; your name on the list 占百花魁 黃榜題名 |
| Business | Plenty of wealth luck; home fully laden 十足財氣 滿載而歸 |
| Pregnancy | Completeness is best; many fine children 十全為上 多生佳兒 |
| Marriage | Two fine people join; bright spring days 兩美相合 春光明媚 |
| Travel | Spring breezes everywhere; nothing blocks you 處處春風 無往不利 |
| Household | A good heart; blessings for children and grandchildren 一點心田 子種孫耕 |
| Seeking wealth | Take nothing unjust and it comes easily 非義勿取 必易有也 |
| Luck of the times | Honest wealth; luck turns to gold 大道生財 運到化金 |
| Lost items | Hard to find now; pray and it can be found 眼前難覓 祈即可尋 |
| Farming & livestock | Fair harvests; keep praying for protection 物產尚可 尚祈神佑 |
| Lawsuits | A patron backs you; no blame in the lawsuit 貴人扶之 訟則無咎 |
Readings follow the Grand Matsu Temple website; the English is our translation. The temple's list also has an "illness" reading; we leave it out. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
What it means
Like a plum tree blossoming clean on a cliff edge, you keep your integrity. Once the leaves grow thick, you will bear fruit and do great things.
Background: "Seasoning the cauldron" is an old image for serving as a chief minister.
Reminder: Guard your character first; achievement follows.
This is a plain reading of the words. How it applies to your own question is best settled with the interpreter at the temple where you drew it.
How to draw a lot
- Light incense and tell Mazu your name, birth date and address, then state clearly the one matter you are asking about.
- Cast the moon blocks (jiaobei, two crescent-shaped wooden blocks) to ask whether you may draw. One face up and one face down means yes; then pull one stick from the cylinder.
- Cast the blocks again to confirm that this is your stick. Many temples ask for three yeses in a row; if not, put it back and draw again.
- Collect the poem with the matching number. Read the whole poem, then find the topic below that fits your question. If it is unclear, ask the temple's interpreter.
Ask about one thing at a time; the more specific the question, the easier the poem is to apply.
Common misunderstandings
A gloomy poem means the matter is doomed.
Most poems are reminders and directions. The same poem means different things for different questions, so look at the topic that matches yours.
You can keep drawing on the same question until you get a good poem.
By custom you ask once per matter. If you are still unsure, ask the temple's interpreter, or wait a while and ask again.
Previous: No. 17; next: No. 19.
A straight word: fortune poems are a matter of faith, and the meanings here are ours
The Chinese text, hexagram names and topic readings follow the Grand Matsu Temple of Tainan, checked line by line against three other sources; we only corrected obvious copying errors, and every page shows the temple's original wording wherever we changed it. The English translations and the plain-English meanings are our own reading of the words, not the temple's official interpretation. For a real reading, ask at 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 poem: your own chart
Enter your birth date to cast a free BaZi Four Pillars chart and see your Five Elements and Ten Gods.
Mazu fortune stick No. 18: questions
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 18 say?
「汝是懸崖一樹梅，一塵不染向春開，待得綠葉成蔭後，結子滿枝調鼎來」 In English: You are a plum tree on the cliff's edge, blooming toward spring without a speck of dust. Wait until the green leaves give shade, then fruit will crowd the boughs to season the great cauldron. It is paired with the Xiao Chu hexagram.
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 18 mean?
Like a plum tree blossoming clean on a cliff edge, you keep your integrity. Once the leaves grow thick, you will bear fruit and do great things. Reminder: Guard your character first; achievement follows.