Mazu Fortune Stick No. 89 · Kan Hexagram
東舍烹牛禱不靈，不如西舍點青燈，上天感應憑方寸，一念精誠神鬼歆。 The east house slaughters an ox, and its prayers go unheard; the west house lights one blue lamp and does better. Heaven responds to the inch-square heart; one sincere thought, and gods and spirits are pleased.
The poem
東舍烹牛禱不靈
The east house slaughters an ox, and its prayers go unheard;
不如西舍點青燈
the west house lights one blue lamp and does better.
上天感應憑方寸
Heaven responds to the inch-square heart;
一念精誠神鬼歆
one sincere thought, and gods and spirits are pleased.
| Lot | Hexagram |
|---|---|
| No. 89 第八十九首 | Kan 坎 (The Abysmal Water) |
Readings by topic
| Topic | Reading |
|---|---|
| Career & exams | Do not eat beef or horse; success is sure 不食牛馬 功名必題 |
| Business | Butchery trade: change course and be blessed 屠宰營謀 改圖福生 |
| Pregnancy | Keep a vegetarian fast and honor the Buddha; a fine child 持齋奉佛 定產佳兒 |
| Marriage | Do good sincerely and you may find a good match 盡誠作福 良緣可求 |
| Travel | Go with the flow; nothing blocks you 順利而行 無往不利 |
| Household | Keep to your role; you will have heirs 事安本分 必得後生 |
| Seeking wealth | A heart like a lamp; seek well and it comes 心似明燈 善求自有 |
| Luck of the times | The wealth star will surely appear 財星必現 求之紙人 |
| Lost items | Pray to the gods and it may turn up 問神禱告 方能出之 |
| Farming & livestock | Poor planning; a weak harvest 人謀不臧 易生歉收 |
| Lawsuits | Heaven sees clearly; the gods know 天理昭昭 神祇明之 |
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
The house that sacrifices an ox is not heard, while the house that lights a simple lamp is. Heaven responds to the heart; one sincere thought is enough.
Reminder: Sincerity counts more than show.
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. 88; next: No. 90.
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. 89: questions
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 89 say?
「東舍烹牛禱不靈，不如西舍點青燈，上天感應憑方寸，一念精誠神鬼歆」 In English: The east house slaughters an ox, and its prayers go unheard; the west house lights one blue lamp and does better. Heaven responds to the inch-square heart; one sincere thought, and gods and spirits are pleased. It is paired with the Kan hexagram.
What does Mazu fortune stick No. 89 mean?
The house that sacrifices an ox is not heard, while the house that lights a simple lamp is. Heaven responds to the heart; one sincere thought is enough. Reminder: Sincerity counts more than show.