Guan Di Fortune Sticks · Lot 69
Lot 69: Geng Ren
Traditional fortune label: Moderate
Lot poem
Leaving the boat to travel by road is generally suitable, Be careful not to play around and follow wealthy youths. One night drinking wine together they are brothers, But the next morning they follow each other as enemies.
Story and textual notes
‘Leaving the boat to travel by road’ means the danger of wind and waves is not as safe as the road. This is a metaphor that one should not take risks or rely on luck, but should understand the meaning of walking safely and slowly, hence it is ‘generally suitable’. ‘Wealthy youths’ refers to children of rich and powerful families; they seem reliable in influence, but are actually flashy with little substance, more wicked than righteous, highly deceptive, lacking in loyalty, very malicious, and lacking in goodness. Therefore, the warning is not to follow them. ‘Brothers before the wine cups’ describes a temporary state of colluding and drifting together. ‘Enemies tomorrow’ may arise due to conflicts over trivial matters or because the association fades once the benefits are exhausted. Such is the inevitable outcome of the fickle nature of petty people. Diviners who maintain caution will find good fortune, while those who forget the warning will face disaster.
Interpretation
Abandoning the water route with its huge wind and waves and shifting to the land route with lower risk is appropriate, yet each has its own risks. It does not mean the land route will be completely safe, so you must still be cautious. Do not mix with children of wealthy families, because most of them seem noble but are actually superficial, and they are quite deceptive and easy to cheat you. As soon as you lose your utility value or there is an unequal sharing of spoils, they can turn against you at any time; this is the behavior of petty people. If you are negligent and conspire with petty people, it will lead to misfortune.
Traditional summary
Fame and profit should not be forced, be careful in choosing a doctor, marriage is difficult to plan, the traveler will arrive, the lawsuit can be settled; in all comings and goings, be cautious in choosing friends.
Thematic references
- Fortune
- It is time and fate, which cannot be resisted; when the time of fortune arrives, you too will have your moment of popularity.
- Family
- First cultivate yourself; currently scattered, those who broke the barrel should quickly seek reconciliation.
- Financial Interests
- This wealth is ill-gotten and harms others' children; even if taken, it will not stay, so do not take it.
- Career
- The wind is not gentle, the rain is not favorable, and plus the general situation, endure it for the time being.
- Promotion
- Not possible this year; with mind and body unwell, it slips away again, so first cultivate yourself.
- Examinations
- The path of achievement and fame has no affinity with you; you might as well quickly change your direction, and a top scholar position will await you.
- Health
- Seek immediate emergency treatment for an unexpected event; invite a master physician like Hua Tuo to treat it.
- Long Journey
- Absolutely not; the weather does not permit and the situation is bad, staying is best.
- Lawsuits
- Wasting intellect and money, leaving you physically and mentally exhausted; quickly seek reconciliation, otherwise only outsiders will get rich.
- Lost Items
- No need to pursue it further, it has already grown wings and flown away; it cannot return to your hands, so you might as well replace it with a new one.
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