Mazu Fortune Stick No. 80 · Dun Hexagram
前生逋欠我深知，此日相償數適宜，莫便生嗔兼悔恨，塞翁失馬未為奇。 I know well the debts you left from a past life; to repay them now is only right. Do not turn angry or bitter with regret: when the old man lost his horse, who knew it was not luck?
The poem
前生逋欠我深知
I know well the debts you left from a past life;
此日相償數適宜
to repay them now is only right.
莫便生嗔兼悔恨
Do not turn angry or bitter with regret:
塞翁失馬未為奇
when the old man lost his horse, who knew it was not luck?
| Lot | Hexagram |
|---|---|
| No. 80 第八十首 | Dun 遯 (Retreat) |
Beyond the poem: your own chart Cast a free BaZi chart →
Reminders by topic (written by us)
| Topic | Reminder |
|---|---|
| Career & exams | Do not lose heart over a setback; shore up the basics first 一時不順別洩氣，先把基本功補足 |
| Business | Aim to lose less for now and scale back to ride this period out 先求少虧，收縮規模度過這段時間 |
| Pregnancy | For pregnancy and childbirth, please follow your doctor's advice and prenatal checkups 懷孕生產請遵從醫師與產檢 |
| Marriage | This relationship may not come together yet; take care of yourself first 感情暫時難有結果，先把自己照顧好 |
| Travel | The way ahead is unclear; stay home and rest for now 前路不明，暫時待在家裡休養 |
| Household | When home feels quiet, reach out to your family more 家中冷清時，多主動關心家人 |
| Seeking wealth | Effort may not bring income yet; protect what you already have 花心思也難有進帳，先守住現有的 |
| Luck of the times | The time has not come; treat losses as old debts repaid and ease your mind 時候未到，把損失當作還舊帳，放寬心 |
| Lost items | If it cannot be found, let it go and consider the old account settled 找不到就放下，當作舊帳已清 |
| Farming & livestock | Let the land rest; prepare the soil before sowing 田地需要休養，先整地再播種 |
| Lawsuits | Stop if you can; do not hold out to the end for a small gain 能停就停，別為了小利堅持到底 |
These short reminders are written by us from the poem and its hexagram; they are not the readings printed on the temple's slip, so for a real reading go by the temple where you drew the lot. The temple's list also has an "illness" topic, which we leave out, and the pregnancy topic is always a reminder to follow your doctor. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
What it means
Debts from a past life are being repaid now, and it is right that they are. Do not be angry or regretful; like the old man who lost his horse, a loss may turn out well.
Background: The old man at the frontier lost his horse, and it came back leading a fine stallion. The story teaches that a loss may turn out to be a blessing.
Reminder: A loss is not always bad. Take the long view.
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. 79; next: No. 81.
A straight word: fortune poems are a matter of faith, and the meanings here are ours
The Chinese text and hexagram names follow a widely circulated edition, checked line by line against three other versions; we only corrected obvious copying errors, and every page shows the base text's original wording wherever we changed it. The topic reminders, English translations and plain-English meanings are our own reading of the words and the hexagram, not the temple's readings or 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. 80: questions
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 80 say?
「前生逋欠我深知，此日相償數適宜，莫便生嗔兼悔恨，塞翁失馬未為奇」 In English: I know well the debts you left from a past life; to repay them now is only right. Do not turn angry or bitter with regret: when the old man lost his horse, who knew it was not luck? It is paired with the Dun hexagram.
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 80 mean?
Debts from a past life are being repaid now, and it is right that they are. Do not be angry or regretful; like the old man who lost his horse, a loss may turn out well. Reminder: A loss is not always bad. Take the long view.