Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 23: Ding-You (丁酉)
Lot 23 of the sixty, numbered Ding-You. Below are the original Chinese poem, our English translation, a plain reading, and a note on the imagery it draws on.
The poem
欲去長江水闊茫
前途未遂運未通
如今絲綸常在手
只恐魚水不相逢
You would set out, but the Long River is wide and vast;
The road ahead is blocked, your luck not yet through.
The fishing line is always in your hand,
But I fear the fish and water may not meet.
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. 23 | Ding-You 丁酉 | Fire at the Mountain's Foot | Fire: favors summer and the south |
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 want to set out, but the river is wide and the timing is not there. You have the line in your hand, but the fish and the water may not meet.
Tip: You have what you need, but the moment has not come. Do not force it.
About the imagery: Fish and water (魚水) is the classic image of a perfect match: a ruler and a good minister, or husband and wife. Compare No. 33 (Ji-Si), which opens with the same river and ends with the meeting.
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. 22 Ding-Wei. Next: No. 24 Ding-Hai.
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. 23: common questions
What is the poem for Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 23 (Ding-You)?
In Chinese: "欲去長江水闊茫，前途未遂運未通，如今絲綸常在手，只恐魚水不相逢". In English: You would set out, but the Long River is wide and vast; / The road ahead is blocked, your luck not yet through. / The fishing line is always in your hand, / But I fear the fish and water may not meet.
What does oracle No. 23 mean?
You want to set out, but the river is wide and the timing is not there. You have the line in your hand, but the fish and the water may not meet. Tip: You have what you need, but the moment has not come. Do not force it.