Guanyin Oracle · Lot 70

Cautionary

What it means

A lot warning against endless rushing. Spreading yourself everywhere leaves you empty-handed when the flowers fade, and losing attachment to your roots makes settling harder. Li Mi kept switching sides and found no home. Gather yourself, value the people and things around you, and put down roots in one place.

By matter

Line by line

1. 朝朝役役恰如蜂
   Busy every day, just like a bee.
2. 飛來飛去西復東
   Flying here and there, east and west.
3. 春暮花殘無覔處
   Late spring, flowers gone, no nectar left.
4. 此身不戀舊叢中
   And you no longer care for the old flowers.

Classic commentary

此卦蜜蜂采花之象。凡事勞心費力也。

無覓春色。久雨不晴。求謀動用。不如安靜。

The image: a bee gathering nectar; much effort and worry. The verdict: spring's colours can't be found, long rain won't clear; rather than seek change, be still.

The story · Li Mi Turns Against the Tang

At the end of the Sui, Li Mi led the Wagang rebels and proclaimed himself King of Wei, briefly the most powerful man in the land. After defeat he submitted to Li Yuan of Tang and married into the imperial clan, yet could not settle; he rebelled again and was killed. Always moving, always changing sides, he found no home.

Reference: Lot 70 of the Guanyin Oracle at Mengjia Longshan Temple, Taipei, with its traditional image, verdict, guidance and story. Story summaries are our own.