Yue Lao Oracle Lot 16 · Excellent

意中人，人中意，則那些無情花鳥也情癡，一般的解結雙頭學並棲。 The one in my heart, the one whose heart holds me: even the heartless flowers and birds turn lovesick, and learn to perch side by side, knotted together in pairs.

The lot

Text notes (in Chinese): 流通本作「情凝」「解結枝頭」，依《長生殿》改「情癡」「解結雙頭」.

Background: what the original says

In the closing duet of this scene, sung by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Yang Guifei after they bathe together at the Huaqing Pool, the beloved is exactly the one desired, and even unfeeling flowers and birds grow infatuated and nestle in pairs.

The Palace of Eternal Youth (Changsheng Dian) is a Qing-dynasty drama by Hong Sheng about the love of the Tang emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei. Scene 21, Spying on the Bath, is set at the hot springs of the Huaqing Palace. Two palace maids waiting outside peek through a gap in the screen as the consort bathes. After bathing and dressing, the emperor and consort ride off together and sing this closing aria as a duet: the one I hold in my heart is the one I desire, and even unfeeling flowers and birds grow lovesick, pairing off and roosting side by side. In the next scene, The Secret Vow, the two swear on the night of the Double Seventh festival, beneath the Herd Boy and Weaver Girl stars, to be husband and wife in every life to come. It is one of their tenderest moments, though the audience knows the An Lushan rebellion and the tragedy at Mawei lie ahead.

What it means

The person you like likes you too. The feeling is mutual, and this can work out well.

Reminder: When your hearts are set on each other, go ahead and be together openly.

This is a plain reading of the words and their source. How it applies to your own question is best settled with the interpreter at the temple where you drew it.

How to ask Yue Lao for a lot

1. Yue Lao, the Old Man under the Moon, usually has a side shrine inside a larger temple, such as a City God temple or a Mazu temple. Follow the temple's route: pay respects to the main deity first, then go to Yue Lao.
2. Tell Yue Lao your name, birth date and address, describe where you are in love right now, and state the one question you want to ask (for example, "Will this relationship last?" or "When will I meet someone?").
3. 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 and cast again to confirm it. Many temples ask for three yeses in a row; if not, draw again.
4. Collect the slip with the matching number. Yue Lao lots are quotations from old books, so the meaning often depends on the original passage. If it is unclear, ask the temple's interpreter.

Ask about one thing at a time; the more specific the question, the easier the lot is to apply. Yue Lao lots are for love and marriage only; for other matters, use the temple's general fortune poems.

Common misunderstandings

Previous: Lot 15; next: Lot 17.