Guanyin Oracle · Lot 18

Auspicious

What it means

An auspicious lot of following the seasons and finding your place. Sun and moon keep their rhythm; move with it and things fall into place. "With a clear mind, what you do succeeds": drop distraction, focus, and like an arrow you will hit the mark. Cao Guojiu let go of wealth to pursue the Way and found fulfilment.

By matter

Line by line

1. 金烏西墜兔東臨
   The golden crow sets in the west; the moon rises in the east.
2. 日夜循環亘古今
   Day and night cycle, as they always have.
3. 僧道得之無不利
   For monks and priests, nothing fails.
4. 工商農士各開心
   Scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants all rejoice.

Classic commentary

此卦陰陽消長之象。凡事遂意之兆也。

心中無事。所作有功。如弓上箭。一發當空。

The image: yin and yang waxing and waning; things go as you wish. The verdict: with a clear mind, what you do succeeds, like an arrow on the bow shot straight into the sky.

The story · Cao Guojiu Becomes an Immortal

Legend makes Cao Guojiu, one of the Eight Immortals, the younger brother of a Song empress. He gave away his wealth to the poor and went into the mountains to cultivate the Way, where Zhongli Quan and Lü Dongbin guided him to immortality.

Reference: Lot 18 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.