Guanyin fortune stick
75
Middle stick
It's like carrying a tiger in your arms over a high mountain,
trembling all the way, your nerve broken and cold.
Luckily, ahead on the mountain you meet a skilled hand,
and only then can you keep yourself safe.
jadealmanac.com
Wu Zixu slipping out through Zhaoguan Pass by night is the story editions attach to this lot. In the Spring and Autumn period, King Ping of Chu killed Wu Zixu's father and elder brother and hunted Wu himself. He fled east, hiding by day and moving by night, until he reached Zhaoguan, the border pass guarding the way to the state of Wu. Legend says worry turned his hair white in a single night, so the guards no longer knew his face. In the later novel of the Eastern Zhou states, a recluse named Dongao Gong shelters him and helps him through. He reached Wu safely and years later led its armies against Chu. Carrying a tiger over a mountain is the image line, terror every step, and a skilled helper met on the road is what saves him. Danger survived with help makes this a middle lot.
It is like carrying a tiger in your arms over a high mountain. Readers take this as holding something dangerous that you cannot simply put down, all the way through a hard passage.
Trembling and fearful, your nerve breaks and you go cold. Traditionally the line admits real fear; the lot does not call the danger imaginary or tell you to feel brave.
Luckily, ahead on the mountain you meet a skilled hand. Temple readers make this the turning point: rescue comes through a capable person, often a doctor, lawyer or experienced elder.
Only then can you keep yourself safe. Readers stress the word only: safety here depends on accepting that help, and going on alone is what the lot warns against.
恰如抱虎过高山
战战兢兢胆碎寒
幸得山前逢妙手
方能保得一身安
Seven characters a line, as printed in the BW Monastery edition.
Sources for the story: https://www.51chouqian.com/guanyinlingqian/75.html (Wu Yuan Escapes Zhaoguan by Night); https://guanyin.911cha.com/75.html; masterseanchan.com/guanyin-oracle/lot-75 (edition A: Wu Yuan Escapes Zhaoguan by Night).
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 75, "Carrying a Tiger Over the Mountain", is a middle stick, a mixed stick, good with conditions. Danger at every step, obstacles ahead; if you ask about plans, the answer is hard work to the end.
Not smooth; handle it with care.
Be cautious; trade is not smooth.
Use your wits to resolve it; face exams bravely.
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.
