Guanyin fortune stick
11
Upper stick
You hope for something remarkable, and it can be,
but for now family and marriage matters keep you busy.
In the end you will surely prove a precious sword,
and a person of standing will point you to a fine place.
jadealmanac.com
Jiang Wei began his career as a general of the state of Wei. Zhuge Liang won him over to Shu and came to value him above everyone else in the army. During his last northern campaign, lying ill at the Wuzhang Plains, Zhuge called Jiang Wei to his tent and handed him the book of his life's learning, twenty-four chapters on strategy, so the younger man could carry on the work. Zhuge died soon after. Temple books title this lot The Book Commending Jiang Wei, from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and it matches the poem's last line, a person of standing guiding you to your place. The image line, fortune growing out of misfortune, treats the delay before that moment as part of the gift, and the stick ranks upper.
A fine undertaking, something out of the ordinary, is what you want, and the line says it can be had. Readers take the opening as a yes to ambition before any condition is attached.
In-laws and marriage business filling the days was a familiar delay in a family-centered society. Temple readers apply it to any duty to relatives that crowds out your own plans for a while.
The closing image is worded differently across editions: this one names a prized sword, while another copy simply says a person of standing will receive you. Both make the outcome certain.
A noble person, in fortune language, is any helper with rank or influence. Being guided to a noble place means an introduction into better circles, a post, or a home that suits you.
欲求胜事可非常
争奈亲姻日暂忙
到头竟必成鹿剑
贵人指引贵人乡
Seven characters a line, as printed in the BW Monastery edition.
Sources for the story: https://www.k366.com/guanyin/28852.htm; https://services.shen88.cn/chouqian/guanyin-11.html; https://www.masterseanchan.com/guanyin-oracle/lot-11/; https://www.fatekeep.com/blog/3640.
Optional: the temple way
At a temple the stick is not yours until two moon blocks agree: one flat side up and one round side up, a holy cup.
Stick 11, "Fortune Out of Misfortune", is a upper stick, a favorable stick. You mean to shake things up, yet it ends safely; if you ask how to act, stay close to people who can help.
The two of you suit each other.
Gains come; business succeeds.
A mentor's guidance brings success; studies go well.
Draw another stick , or for a straight yes or no, throw the moon blocks
The verse follows the BW Monastery edition of the Guanyin set; the English rendering and reading are Jade Almanac's own. A drawn stick is a tradition and a prompt for reflection, not advice about health, money or the law.
