Yue Lao Oracle Lot 81 · Fair

經之營之，不日成之。 They planned it and they built it; in no time it was done.

The lot

Text notes (in Chinese): 《詩經》原句中間還有「庶民攻之」.

Background: what the original says

When King Wen of Zhou set out to build the Spirit Tower, the common people came of their own accord to help, and it was finished in just a few days.

"Ling Tai" (The Spirit Tower) is an ode in the Book of Songs (Shijing). It tells how King Wen of Zhou laid out a tower, a park and a pond. He did not rush anyone, yet the common people came of their own accord, like children helping a parent, and the work was done within days. The later stanzas linger in the park: does at rest, white birds, fish leaping, bells and drums sounding.

The traditional Mao preface reads the ode as a sign that the people had begun to give King Wen their loyalty. Centuries later, when King Hui of Liang stood by his pond and asked Mencius whether wise rulers enjoyed such things, Mencius quoted this poem: King Wen's people delighted in his tower because he shared his pleasures with them.

The phrase jing zhi ying zhi, "measured it and planned it," gave Chinese its everyday word for running an undertaking. The lot borrows it for careful planning met by willing effort.

What it means

Put real care into it and results will come quickly. A relationship needs both a plan and a genuine investment of yourself.

Reminder: Set a small goal and take it one step at a time.

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 80; next: Lot 82.