Mazu Fortune Stick No. 54 · Kun Hexagram
從前做事總糊塗，此後修為要切磋，若得一心行正道，自然災悔盡消磨。 In the past you did things carelessly; from now on, work on yourself with care. If you set your heart on the right path, trouble and regret will wear away.
The poem
從前做事總糊塗
In the past you did things carelessly;
此後修為要切磋
from now on, work on yourself with care.
若得一心行正道
If you set your heart on the right path,
自然災悔盡消磨
trouble and regret will wear away.
| Lot | Hexagram |
|---|---|
| No. 54 第五十四首 | Kun 坤 (The Receptive) |
Readings by topic
| Topic | Reading |
|---|---|
| Career & exams | Do good in secret and move the gods 勤修陰騭 感格神明 |
| Business | Plans fail; practice goodness 謀為不成 力行善道 |
| Pregnancy | Honest even when no one sees; a fine child comes 不欺暗室 佳兒投胎 |
| Marriage | Poor but independent; you will find a good partner 貧能自立 當得良緣 |
| Travel | A lonely traveler walking alone 孤客淒涼 獨行踽踽 |
| Household | Turn to goodness and be protected 存心向善 保佑平安 |
| Seeking wealth | Repent past faults; goodness is key 悔悟前愆 善道為要 |
| Luck of the times | Small profit for now; follow the good 暫有微利 善行方向 |
| Lost items | Hard to find now; pray and it may turn up 目下難覓 祈可尋得 |
| Farming & livestock | Little harvest; keep praying for protection 物產空虛 還祈神佑 |
| Lawsuits | A patron backs you; no blame in the lawsuit 貴人扶持 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
You used to be careless in how you handled things; from now on, correct yourself properly. Walk the right path wholeheartedly and trouble will fade away.
Reminder: Admit mistakes and start again; that is enough.
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. 53; next: No. 55.
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. 54: questions
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 54 say?
「從前做事總糊塗，此後修為要切磋，若得一心行正道，自然災悔盡消磨」 In English: In the past you did things carelessly; from now on, work on yourself with care. If you set your heart on the right path, trouble and regret will wear away. It is paired with the Kun hexagram.
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 54 mean?
You used to be careless in how you handled things; from now on, correct yourself properly. Walk the right path wholeheartedly and trouble will fade away. Reminder: Admit mistakes and start again; that is enough.