Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 60: Gui-Hai (癸亥)

Lot 60 of the sixty, numbered Gui-Hai. Below are the original Chinese poem, our English translation, a plain reading and a tip.

The poem

月出光輝本清吉

浮雲總是蔽蔭色

戶內用心再作福

當官分理便有益

The moon comes out; its light is clear and good,

But drifting clouds keep dimming it.

At home, take care and do more good;

Before officials, argue with reason, and it will pay.

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.

LotStem-branchNayinAttribute
No. 60Gui-Hai 癸亥Great Sea WaterWater: 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

The moonlight is bright and good, only hidden by passing clouds. Do good at home, and in official matters argue your case reasonably and you will come out ahead.

Tip: Be reasonable and stay on the right side. Things will clear up in the end.

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

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. 59 Gui-You. Next: No. 1 Jia-Zi.

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. 60: common questions

What is the poem for Sixty Jiazi Oracle No. 60 (Gui-Hai)?

In Chinese: "月出光輝本清吉,浮雲總是蔽蔭色,戶內用心再作福,當官分理便有益". In English: The moon comes out; its light is clear and good, / But drifting clouds keep dimming it. / At home, take care and do more good; / Before officials, argue with reason, and it will pay.

What does oracle No. 60 mean?

The moonlight is bright and good, only hidden by passing clouds. Do good at home, and in official matters argue your case reasonably and you will come out ahead. Tip: Be reasonable and stay on the right side. Things will clear up in the end.