Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 13: Bing-Zi (丙子)
Lot 13 of the sixty, numbered Bing-Zi. Below are the original Chinese poem, our English translation, a plain reading, and a note on the imagery it draws on.
The poem
命中正逢羅孛關
用盡心機總未休
作福問神難得過
恰是行舟上高灘
Your fate has run into the pass of Luo and Bo;
You scheme with all your wits, yet it never ends.
Prayers and offerings will hardly get you through:
It is like poling a boat up onto the shoals.
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.
| Lot | Stem-branch | Nayin | Attribute |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 13 | Bing-Zi 丙子 | Ravine Water | Water: favors winter and the north |
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
You have hit a hard pass. However hard you scheme, it does not let up, and even prayer may not get you through. It is like forcing a boat upstream onto a sandbank.
Tip: Do not force things now. Steady yourself and limit the losses.
About the imagery: Luo and Bo (羅孛) are Luohou and Yuebei, two of the invisible “shadow stars” of Chinese astrology, both counted as bringers of trouble.
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
- Light incense and tell the deity your name, date of birth and address, then state clearly the one question you want to ask.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
A poor-sounding poem means it will definitely fail.
Most poems are reminders and directions, and the same poem means different things for different questions. Understanding the advice and adjusting what you do matters more than whether it sounds lucky.
You can keep drawing until you get a better one.
By custom you draw once per question. If you are still unsure, ask the temple to explain the poem, or come back and ask again after some time.
Previous: No. 12 Yi-Hai. Next: No. 14 Bing-Yin.
A straight word: the poem is faith; the meaning is our plain reading
The Chinese text follows the version compiled by the Jieqian Ge ("Oracle Reading Pavilion") site, checked word by word against other sources; temples differ slightly in wording. The English verse, meaning and tip on each page are our own plain reading of the words, not the temple’s official interpretation. For a real reading, ask the temple where you drew the lot. A poem can offer direction and comfort, but for legal, medical or money problems, please see a professional. Everything on this site is for reference and entertainment.
Beyond the oracle: your own chart
Enter your date of birth to cast your free BaZi Four Pillars chart and see your elements and Ten Gods.
Oracle No. 13: common questions
What is the poem for Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 13 (Bing-Zi)?
In Chinese: "命中正逢羅孛關，用盡心機總未休，作福問神難得過，恰是行舟上高灘". In English: Your fate has run into the pass of Luo and Bo; / You scheme with all your wits, yet it never ends. / Prayers and offerings will hardly get you through: / It is like poling a boat up onto the shoals.
What does oracle No. 13 mean?
You have hit a hard pass. However hard you scheme, it does not let up, and even prayer may not get you through. It is like forcing a boat upstream onto a sandbank. Tip: Do not force things now. Steady yourself and limit the losses.