Guanyin Oracle · Lot 35

Balanced

What it means

A lot of regrouping and working together. After scattering or setback, it is time to reorganise; your efforts may not show yet but are adding up. Liu, Guan and Zhang reunited at Gucheng and rose again. Join with like-minded people and clear the way together.

By matter

Line by line

1. 衣冠重整舊宿風
   Straighten your robes and recover your former bearing.
2. 道是無功卻有功
   It seems like no achievement, but it is.
3. 掃卻當途荊棘碍
   Clear the thorns that block the road.
4. 三人共議事相同
   Three people confer and agree.

Classic commentary

此卦衣冠重整之象。凡事先難后易也。

不用憂疑。自有佳期。若問前程。前路可宜。

The image: putting your robe and cap in order again; hard first, easy later. The verdict: no need to worry; good days will come; as for the future, the road ahead is good.

The story · Liu, Guan and Zhang Reunite at Gucheng

In the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were scattered by Cao Cao. Learning where Liu Bei was, Guan Yu escorted his sisters-in-law through five passes, met Zhang Fei at Gucheng, and brought Liu Bei there; the three brothers were reunited.

Reference: Lot 35 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.