Yue Lao Oracle Lot 72 · Poor

以若所為，求若所欲，猶緣木而求魚也。 Doing what you do, to get what you want, is like climbing a tree to catch a fish.

The lot

Text notes (in Chinese): 流通本作「求若所為，猶緣大而魚也」，依《孟子》改.

Background: what the original says

Mencius told King Xuan of Qi that pursuing his goals with his current methods was like climbing a tree to look for fish.

During the Warring States period, Mencius visited the state of Qi, and King Xuan asked him about the great hegemons of earlier times. Mencius steered the talk toward ruling by caring for the people, pointing to a small incident: the king, unable to bear the sight of an ox led to slaughter, had ordered a sheep used instead. That showed a kind heart not yet extended to his subjects.

Mencius then pressed him on what he most desired. The king smiled and would not say. Mencius ruled out food, clothes and music, then said, you want to expand your territory, receive the homage of Qin and Chu, and rule the central states. Seeking that by your present methods is like climbing a tree to catch fish. Surely not that bad, said the king. Worse, replied Mencius: failing to catch fish in a tree brings no disaster, but pursuing conquest with all your strength will. The image survives as the idiom "climbing a tree to look for fish."

What it means

With the wrong method, no amount of effort will get you there. Look at your approach first.

Reminder: Change the way you do it instead of just pushing harder.

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 71; next: Lot 73.