Guanyin Oracle · Lot 7

Cautionary

What it means

This lot says stop running outward. Things are hard enough; turning elsewhere will only take you further away. After Lian Po left Zhao, neither Wei nor Chu used him, and his heart stayed with home. Return to familiar ground, steady your own work, and don't gamble on distant prospects for now.

By matter

Line by line

1. 奔波役役重重險
   Rushing about through danger after danger.
2. 帶水拖泥又渡山
   Wading through mud, then crossing mountains.
3. 更慮他方求別用
   Still thinking of seeking a way elsewhere.
4. 千山萬水未能還
   Then a thousand mountains and rivers keep you from returning.

Classic commentary

此卦拖坭帶水之象。凡事守舊則吉也。

退身可得。進步為難。只宜守舊。莫望高扳。

The image: dragging through mud and water; keeping to the old ways is best. The verdict: stepping back gains, pressing forward is hard; keep what you have and don't reach too high.

The story · General Lian Po Longs to Lead Zhao's Men

Lian Po, Zhao's great general, lost his command in old age and fled to Wei, where he was never trusted. Zhao's king considered recalling him, but the envoy, bribed by an enemy, reported that the old general had left the table three times during one meal, and the king gave up. In Chu he achieved nothing either, sighing, "I long to lead the men of Zhao," and died far from home.

Reference: Lot 7 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.