Guanyin Oracle · Lot 22

Balanced

What it means

A lot of help arriving in the nick of time. Things feel parched and stuck, but relief will come suddenly and exactly when needed, just as Wulang reached Liulang in the valley. Cherish and repay the help you receive, and don't force travel for now.

By matter

Line by line

1. 四郊田畝皆枯竭
   All the fields around are parched.
2. 久旱俄然三日霖
   After long drought, three days of rain arrive suddenly.
3. 花果草芽俱潤澤
   Flowers, fruit and shoots are all refreshed.
4. 始知一雨值千金
   Now you know a single rain is worth a thousand gold.

Classic commentary

此卦旱逢甘雨之象。凡事難中有救也。

田蠶倍熟。命運漸來。病遇良藥。行人不便。

The image: sweet rain after drought; rescue amid difficulty. The verdict: double harvests, luck gradually arriving, good medicine for illness; only travel is a little inconvenient.

The story · Liulang Is Rescued

Yang Ye's army was surrounded by Liao forces; he died rather than surrender, and his seventh son was killed seeking help. The sixth son, Yang Yanzhao, fell back to Hulu Valley, and at the last moment his elder brother, now a monk on Mount Wutai, arrived with warrior monks and saved him. Help in time, like rain after long drought.

Reference: Lot 22 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.