Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 15: Bing-Chen (丙辰)

Lot 15 of the sixty, numbered Bing-Chen. Below are the original Chinese poem, our English translation, a plain reading, and a note on the imagery it draws on.

The poem

The Chinese is the original: four lines of seven characters. The English is our own translation, aiming for the sense and a little of the rhythm.

Chinese text from the Jieqian Ge version; wording varies a little between temples. The attribute is worked out from the Nayin element of the lot’s stem-branch pair and matches what traditional printed slips say.

What it means

Jiang Taigong met King Wen at eighty; the good fortune here comes late. Do not chase the urgent matter right now. Hold on until your luck opens.

Tip: Great things take time. This cannot be rushed.

About the imagery: Jiang Ziya, known as Taigong (太公), is said to have fished by the Wei River into old age until King Wen of Zhou found him and made him his chief adviser; he went on to help found the Zhou dynasty. He is the classic image of success that comes late.

This is a plain reading of the words. How it applies to your own question is best asked at the temple where you drew it.

How to draw a lot and read it

1. Light incense and tell the deity your name, date of birth and address, then state clearly the one question you want to ask.
2. Ask permission by casting the moon blocks (筊, jiaobei), two crescent-shaped wooden pieces. One flat side up and one round side up is a "holy answer" (聖筊): yes, go ahead. Then shake the bamboo cylinder until one stick falls out.
3. Cast the blocks again to confirm this is your stick. Many temples ask for three holy answers in a row; if you do not get them, draw again.
4. Take the poem with the same number, read it as a whole, and hold it up against your question. If it is unclear, the temple’s volunteers can explain it.

Ask about one thing at a time. The more specific the question, the easier the poem is to apply.

Common misunderstandings

Previous: No. 14 Bing-Yin. Next: No. 16 Bing-Wu.