《玄真灵应宝签》

The Precious Lots of the Mysterious Truth and Numinous Response—a book of lots drawn during prayer to inquire into good and ill fortune—was first revealed at a temple on Jianling, and later circulated around Qinghe. The lot texts were written between two pine trees. Those who came to pray often received a response in dreams. In the past, however, these lots had never been formally circulated.

Today, the temple attendants at the main hall and Jiaqing Tower often borrow lots from other places to meet people’s needs. The so-called “Lots of the Twelve Perfected Ones,” for example, are actually those used at the Zhangren Abbey on Mount Qingcheng. The Changes hexagram lots used at Jiaqing Tower likewise have no reliable basis. As for the traveling shrines across Sichuan and Shu—temples established away from their original sites—the lots they use are simply the inner and outer lots of Perfected Master Zhu.

I have now personally examined the subtle workings of these lots, incorporating celestial patterns, geographical conditions, the favorable and unfavorable turns of fortune, and the ways things and human relationships come together and part. I entrusted seven people, including my successor, with writing them. Using skillful metaphors, they made the lot texts accessible and easy to understand. They divided them into three grades—upper, middle, and lower—for a total of 120 lots, arranged by the twelve double-hours, with thirty lots for each. They also combined the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) with the favorable and unfavorable turns of fortune and the ways things come together and part, composing 365 lots to correspond to the 365 degrees of the celestial circuit. In this way, sincere believers may each find what they seek by following their wishes and devotion.

Preface by the Numinous-Response Emperor, Sovereign Who Opens and Transforms the Nine Heavens.

Precious Invocation to the Wenchang Emperor, Sovereign of the Nine Heavens Who Opens and Transforms—a hymn of praise and prayer recited in honor of the Wenchang Emperor.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in and pay homage to the Jade Truth Palace of Auspicious Celebration in the Unboastful Imperial Realm, a celestial palace where Daoist immortals dwell. The deities in the palace manifest ninety-eight forms and reveal countless miracles. Riding phoenixes, they travel everywhere to spread and teach the Dao, rescuing the world from calamities as they will and helping living beings continue their lives. They are supremely filial and benevolent, and their merit encompasses the Three Teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. They teach without exalting pride or indulging in ease, and their offices extend across the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Water. Their deeds and merits are beyond measure, and the power of their divine presence beyond comprehension.

This Heavenly Worthy, who embodies great compassion and great vows, supreme holiness and boundless mercy, bears the venerable title: Heavenly Worthy Who Aids the Origin and Opens Transformation in the Nine Heavens, True Lord Who Administers Emoluments and Recommends Worthies, Great Emperor of Qiqu Who Responds Miraculously, Protects Virtue, and Broadly Practices Benevolence, Heavenly Worthy Who Expounds the Scriptures and Teaches the Dao, Dispels Calamity, Guides Transformation, Renews Life, and Prolongs Existence.

Treasured Lots of Mysterious Truth and Miraculous Response, Upper Volume.

First Lot for the Zi Hour: Auspicious Convergence of Wind and Clouds, Very Auspicious

The time is right for a peaceful and prosperous age. Good fortune is at hand, and promotion and honors are within reach. The road ahead is bright, like an immortal maiden arriving on a flying dragon.

Build a Golden Terrace to attract worthy people, issue an imperial edict, and grant titles according to merit. Those seeking distinction will rise steadily and see their careers flourish, as celebrations gather above in the celestial palace.

Second Lot for the Zi Hour: Advancement Is in Sight, Very Auspicious

A young person of exceptional character and talent surpasses Xiao He, the celebrated statesman of the early Han dynasty known for recognizing capable people and managing government affairs. Plans are likely to succeed, and joy will increasingly show in one’s expression.

The realm is unified, and learning, ritual, and music flourish. Virtue, benevolence, righteousness, and trustworthiness are all upheld. This lot foretells receiving imperial favor, an exceptional promotion, and an appointment to serve at court.

Third Lot for the Zi Hour: Hold Steady and Do Not Falter, Neutral

If sent to hunt falcons and hawks, beware the might of tigers and leopards. Keep to the way of the noble person, act with care, and avoid inviting trouble.

As falcons and hawks give chase, the wary hare hides in the forest; when tigers and leopards roam, travelers must watch for dangers along the road. The noble person quietly holds to the Dao, and calamity can scarcely intrude. The petty person rushes about with selfish intent; when plans go awry, trouble is easily stirred up.

Fourth Hour of the Rat: Wait for the right moment and things will go smoothly; middling fortune

A general is stationed a thousand miles away, with remarkable strategies in mind but no opportunity yet to put them to use. When the winds rise and the clouds churn, he will don his bloodstained battle robe and go to war.

Once a brave and resourceful commander has a strategy, he can win an attack and defeat the enemy in battle. When a capable and ambitious person encounters the right moment, their career can flourish and their name can become renowned. A general with a strategy can win distinction and victory without difficulty; when a person meets their moment, gaining fame comes easily.

Fifth Hour of the Rat: What you seek will be difficult to achieve; very poor fortune

Someone jokes on the surface but has other plans in mind, spending all their effort scheming about distant prospects in pursuit of fame. Like duckweed drifting on the waves, they do not know when they will reach the road to success.

Treating what does not exist as if it did consumes one’s energy in vain; treating what is certain as if it were false and dwelling on it repeatedly is futile. Trying to accomplish something is like calling for geese among the clouds. Hoping for something is like being swept about by rushing waves with the duckweed, with no way to steer its course.

Sixth Hour of the Rat: A harmonious marriage, well suited to both parties; excellent fortune

This is a family as distinguished and refined as the Wang and Xie clans, while the Qin and Jin families compete to praise each other’s marriage alliances. It is like an immortal skilled at the flute who summoned the phoenix, perfectly suited to wear a phoenix ornament that rings as it moves.

Pairs of purple swallows dance before the Wang and Xie family halls; the Qin and Jin families form a bond, as colorful mandarin ducks keep each other company in the pond. Riding phoenixes and playing flutes beneath the moon, one seems to roam through the heavens. The qin and se instruments sounding in harmony, and hairpins and flowers worn in celebration, portray the earthly joy of a peaceful and happy marriage.

Seventh Hour of the Rat: One happy occasion follows another; excellent fortune

The lotus pavilion—the old term for a general’s headquarters—has just opened, and one has already ascended a splendid terrace. The meeting of dragon and tiger celebrates the coming together of outstanding people, as talented figures appear one after another.

A pleasing and beautiful event is like a lotus just opening in a jade-green pond; joyful festivities are like admiring lovely scenes in a splendid hall. The meeting of dragon and tiger can describe the gathering of honored or outstanding people. It can also refer to the meeting of those suited to attain the Dao and become immortals, or to the successful refinement of an elixir. The emergence of worthy and exceptional people in succession signifies the arrival of talents capable of bringing stability to the realm, aiding the state, and safeguarding its people; happy occasions follow one upon another.

Eighth Hour of the Rat: Good fortune comes only after a change; middling fortune

When the heart feels constrained, it is even harder to know what to do. When the mind is calm and harmonious, joyful events arrive at the right time. Follow the moment, and wherever you are, you can act appropriately; whatever your station, keep moving forward steadily.

When the heart is weighed down, thoughts are hard to set free. When circumstances become harmonious, actions are auspicious and secure. Each opportunity has its appointed course; when fortune is favorable, plans are easier to carry through. As long as things are done properly, there is no need for doubt, and those above and below can live in harmony.

Ninth sign for the Zi hour: Deceit is rife; a very inauspicious sign.

You have already encountered one woman—who would have thought you would become involved with a second? Wherever you go, obstacles arise, and they will stir up trouble.

Delays and obstructions often come from three women meeting and handling matters poorly among themselves. This means that people are not of one mind. Wind raises waves on still water; even a seemingly peaceful situation can become unsettled. If you act rashly while at ease, hardship will follow, and deceit may be working in secret.

Tenth sign for the Zi hour: Harmony within and without; a most auspicious sign.

Relatives by marriage are on good terms, and friends share the same interests. Letters bring good news and leave several families with warm ties.

Relations by marriage share affection and communicate well, while friends get along harmoniously; discussions are likely to go smoothly. Letters, carried symbolically by fish and geese, bring welcome news and joy. The household is cheerful and harmonious within and without; the family preserves its good fortune and prospers, with things going well for everyone, above and below.

Eleventh sign for the Zi hour: Hard times are ending and good times are coming; an even sign.

Only after decline and depletion have run their course can renewal begin. Once fortune opens up, the road ahead becomes clear. Cultivate yourself carefully and you will not go astray in your conduct. Do not act recklessly or repeat the same mistakes again and again.

When Yin reaches its extreme, Yang begins to emerge. When your path reaches its end, hardship can turn around, and bad fortune can become good fortune. The cycles of decline and prosperity turn again and again, bringing both flourishing and waning. Yin and Yang alternate; all things are born and perish, thrive and fade.

Twelfth sign for the Zi hour: What you seek is obstructed; a very inauspicious sign.

You have lived far from home for a long time, yet cannot find the way back; you have also missed the right moment at the ferry crossing and bridge. It is as though you stood on a terrace overlooking your homeland—how could you avoid the rough and difficult road?

Adrift abroad, you are as far from home as the ends of the earth. You seek to make plans and get things done, yet what seems close at hand feels separated by distant waters and mountains. The road is steep and rugged, and every step forward is hard. You wait for word, but it does not come.

Traveling far from home, my heart is at the ends of the earth. Yet lately, thoughts of pursuing my plans feel as distant as waters and mountains between us. The road ahead is rugged and difficult, its paths perilous. I long for news, but none has come—as though the crow had vanished from sight and the fish had sunk beneath the water.

Hour of the Rat, No. 13: Great fortune ahead, the very best

The dark clouds disperse, and the bright moon shines again. The wind calms, and the water lies still. The bank is high, so the boat can come safely ashore. Hands clap in celebration, and the whole family flourishes.

The clouds suddenly part, revealing the moon’s radiance. Calamities and obstacles vanish at once, leaving a clear road stretching for thousands of miles. If you wish to advance your plans, nothing will hold them back, and the waves will subside. If you wish to make arrangements, all will go smoothly. You will clap your hands and celebrate with delight.

Hour of the Rat, No. 14: News is on its way, the very best

Lamp blossoms open one after another, and extraordinary flowers bloom in the pond. This is because a harmonious and peaceful energy fills the air, bringing good news from afar.

A flower forms in the lamp, foretelling joyful news from a distant place. Lotus flowers blooming in the pond symbolize smooth affairs and cause for delight. Peaceful energy fills the air, as though calling forth an abundant harvest. Auspicious clouds shelter the household, keeping it safe and well.

Hour of the Rat, No. 15: Good news from the ends of the earth

A flower forms in the lamp, foretelling joyful news from a distant place. Lotus flowers blooming in the pond symbolize smooth affairs and cause for delight. Peaceful energy fills the air, as though calling forth an abundant harvest. Auspicious clouds shelter the household, keeping it safe and well.

Hour of the Rat, No. 15: An unexpected small joy, the very best

Fortunately, the withered flowers have borne fruit, and joy has sprung from the branches of a dead tree. A trace of spring remains by chance. Though the double blessing arrives a little late, it will bring smiles in the end.

A dead tree in the courtyard suddenly puts forth lush new branches, and the garden’s faded flowers joyfully bear fruit. What you have been hoping for comes true unexpectedly, and brings success once it does. Your worries happen to fade away, leaving no harm behind.

Hour of the Rat, No. 16: Well suited to pressing ahead and looking forward, the very best

The fragrance of osmanthus is rich, and luminous jade shines upon the green hall. With a favorable wind to help you, you can climb high and soar with outstretched wings.

Luminous jade illuminates heaven and earth, making the four directions shine with clarity. Osmanthus blossoms fill the mountains, and fragrance spreads through the world. With a favorable wind to help you, you can rise straight into the clouds and soar for thousands of miles. The spirits lend their protection, bringing success, ease, and good health.

Hour of the Rat, No. 17: Fame and wishes alike will be fulfilled, the very best

The wind rises fiercely and shoots toward the blue sky. The great Peng spreads its wings, striking the open heavens as it soars through the autumn sky. A letter arrives from beyond the clouds; you pass the highest examination at a single stroke and claim the foremost place.

The seventeenth illustration for the Zi hour is called “Things Go as You Wish” and is an exceptionally auspicious omen.

On an autumn day, the great roc spreads its wings and soars high, the wind carrying it straight into the blue sky. A letter arrives from afar, and with one decisive effort you can take first place. This omen signifies that things will go smoothly and that seeking wealth and profit will also be highly favorable, like orioles and swallows singing sweetly in a spring garden. The wind rises and the clouds disperse, leaving the road ahead broad and level; you can travel freely. The spirit powers will assist in what you undertake, bringing good fortune in all things and fulfillment of your wishes.

The eighteenth illustration for the Zi hour is an omen of middling fortune: there will be obstacles at first, but success will come later.

After weeping, you will eventually laugh. How could there be no losses at all? The ferry will ultimately reach shore, and the river will lie calm, with no more wind or waves. This omen says that when sorrow reaches its height, it turns to joy; although matters are blocked at first, they will gradually open up in the end. There may be losses, but there will also be gains. The calm river signifies that turmoil has subsided, matters are settled, and the heart is at ease. “Finding a crossing” means that the time has come and fortune is improving, allowing you to escape calamity and hardship.

The nineteenth illustration for the Zi hour is called “Blessings in Abundance” and is an exceptionally auspicious omen.

The sword is so sharp that a single breath could sever a hair; the clouds rise high, and the mountains appear lofty. Nothing stands in your way. Between eating and resting, why fear a little toil? This omen speaks of deep virtue and abundant blessings, as imposing as a lofty mountain. Matters proceed smoothly and wishes are fulfilled, like the keen edge of a sword. With blessings and careful planning, things can succeed. Continue to work diligently and without pause, and the way will be clear; in the end, your efforts will come to fruition.

The twentieth illustration for the Zi hour is called “Under Imminent Threat, Nothing Succeeds” and is an extremely inauspicious omen.

When an ox’s tail forks, matters are hard to bring to a successful outcome; a chicken’s mournful cry only deepens one’s sorrow. The person you hope to see is slow to appear, and looking back, it seems matters may be delayed as well. The ox is a beast used to plow the fields, so its forked tail symbolizes damaged crops and abandoned farmland. The chicken heralds the dawn, and its mournful crow symbolizes unrest in the household and unending troubles. What you are hoping for will be delayed and obstructed, and what you seek to accomplish will be difficult to bring about under the pressure of circumstances.

The twenty-first illustration for the Zi hour is called “Waiting for News, Losing on Both Counts” and is an extremely inauspicious omen.

You are inwardly resentful that the other person has been heartless and broken their word. The road is perilous, and there is no boat to cross the river. The sky is dark, and you may lose your way; smoke and clouds conceal the blue heavens. This omen signifies that the news you await is unlikely to arrive, while travel or other undertakings will meet many obstacles and dangers. The way ahead is unclear.

In late spring, blossoms fall and waters flow, evoking a sense of mercilessness and melancholy. Gazing at the Yangtze, one sees waves on the river but no boats, leaving the spirit unsettled. The sun sets, and the way home grows indistinct, bringing sorrow to the heart. Green clouds block the view, as though the distant place lay beyond the horizon, while a heavy feeling of parting fills the heart.

Second Divination for the Zi Hour: Progress and Open Passage, Most Auspicious

The autumn moon is especially full. The clouds disperse, and its light brightens the whole river and its banks. Every household can live in peace and safety, as the river reflects a clear sky.

The clouds part and the sky clears; the moon appears, like a spotless jade mirror. Calamity recedes and good fortune arrives, as the household receives the protection of the Golden Perfected Ones (immortals and deities in Daoism). Matters move forward to a complete and splendid resolution. Seeking wealth and profit also goes smoothly and succeeds, bringing joy.

Third Divination for the Zi Hour: Success After Hard Work, Moderately Auspicious

Ore is mined, and at last the gold within is revealed; by watching seedlings grow, one can see the condition of the soil. There is ultimately a path ahead, even above the blue clouds, so there is no need to worry excessively about hardship and toil.

Gold is hidden in ore and must be smelted before it becomes a treasure. True immortals emerge from ordinary human beings, too; through cultivation and the accumulation of merit, they can attain the Dao. When crops are planted at the right time, the harvest will be abundant. Work diligently and do not fear hardship, and the plans you make will come to fruition.

Fourth Divination for the Zi Hour: No Deception, Hope Remains, Moderately Auspicious

The moon is dimmed by drifting clouds, and a bright mirror is veiled in dust. Clear away what obstructs it and wipe it clean, and a pure, sincere heart will shine forth.

The clouds cover the moon and darken it, but when the wind scatters them, the moon will shine again. Dust veils the mirror, but brush it away and its surface will be clear once more. Even troubles caused by injury or deception can be easily resolved and dispelled. When disputes and ill feeling cease, peace and good fortune will follow.

Fifth Divination for the Zi Hour: Success in Seeking Wealth, Most Auspicious

Pearls and jade fill the bag, and money and grain are readily obtained. There is no need to depend on others for help; good fortune and virtue will grow day by day, without end.

Among the Six Heavens, one governs abundant grain; among the Five Blessings, one governs chests filled with gold and jade. When clothing, food, and wealth are plentiful, life grows ever more comfortable. When good fortune and official salary flourish together, their benefits continue to increase once they come to you.

Twenty-sixth Hour of the Rat: Success in Your Undertakings; Highest Auspice

Achievements built up over many years await the right moment to become known. When all set out together on the path of the dragon and tiger—a symbol of the road to achievement and distinction—what time would be too late to receive a noble title?

A tree broad enough for a person to embrace takes years of tending the soil to grow. Likewise, a marquis’s honors and advancement must be earned through merit. When the tiger roars, the wind fills the valleys with its mighty force; when the dragon cries, clouds spread across the sky, thunder sounds, and rain falls.

Twenty-seventh Hour of the Rat: A Lawsuit May Be Resolved; Moderate Auspice

The lawsuit may drag on, remaining at a standstill for several months before it can be settled. Only by holding firmly to what is fair and upright is there a chance to avoid worry and imprisonment.

The case may begin dangerously, but in the end there is hope it will turn out well. Do not act rashly or deceive anyone. Matters may first fall into disorder and then settle, so proceed with caution and remain steadfast. Even if justice is on your side, first find a way to extricate yourself. The best course is to leave the predicament of endless delay as soon as possible.

Twenty-eighth Hour of the Rat: Stubbornly Pursuing Your Course, with Little Hope of Progress; Lowest Auspice

Strife between the strong and the weak continues without end. In this difficult situation, all you can do is shut yourself away; living in seclusion and unable to act, you pass the evening hungry and cold.

To act without benevolence or justice is no different from using power to bully the weak. When greed and desire grow too strong, it is like using wealth to swallow up the poor and vulnerable. This brings discord between those above and below, leaving you isolated and in hardship. Resentment gathers both within and without, and in the end you can only sit alone, cold and hungry.

Twenty-ninth Hour of the Rat: Matters Do Not Go as You Wish; Lowest Auspice

A boat is blocked and trapped among reefs; even crossing a river on foot brings danger. High among the clouds, mountain paths are just as perilous. In loneliness and sorrow, it is truly hard to find relief.

When making plans, your heart is uneasy, as though a stone in the water blocks a boat’s passage. When taking action, worry weighs on you, as though a tiger at the foot of a mountain bars the way. When danger and obstacles arise, it is hard to move forward and you lack the strength to climb. When caught in hardship, you only add to your sorrow, not knowing when things will finally go smoothly.

Thirty-First Lot for the Zi Hour: Pray for Blessings and Freedom from Calamity, Average Fortune

There is naturally a road leading to Bodhi, the realm of awakening, and every household has the chance to offer incense and form good affinities. If you wish to escape hardship like being caught in a net, an open, clear sky will appear before you.

Those who do good and cultivate De can proceed directly along the road to Bodhi. Those who cultivate the Dao and nurture their nature can enter a realm of peace and ease, rising beyond the ordinary. When your heart is not entangled in turmoil, you will naturally break free of restraints. If you act with care and uphold what is right, how could all manner of things hold you back?

First Lot for the Chou Hour: What You Seek Will Surely Be Obtained, Average Fortune

Gain and loss are often hard to predict; idle sorrow and worry will only pile up. Do not shrink from diligent effort and care: gold and jade will once again fill your chests.

Gain and loss follow their own pattern of increase and decrease, so there is no need to take them to heart. Prosperity and decline also alternate, so why worry too much? For things to go smoothly, you cannot simply wait for them to happen without doing anything. For the rice harvest to be abundant, you cannot hope for it to grow on its own without sowing seed.

Second Lot for the Chou Hour: Affairs and Intentions in Harmony, Average Fortune

Red flowers and green leaves hold on to the springtime, and the beloved’s affection grows closer. Incense is lit and held above the head, its fragrance not yet faded; people spread mats on the grass, singing and laughing.

When what you seek accords with the right moment, things will proceed smoothly and harmoniously. When people share understanding and see things alike, their undertakings naturally come together with ease and closeness. The incense has not gone out, and more is added as smoke curls through the air. The wine has not yet run dry, and fresh cups are poured; people delight in one another’s company.

Third Lot for the Chou Hour: Change in Name or Position, Highest Fortune

For a time, spring fills the Langyuan, the legendary abode of immortals; before the courtyard, flowers bloom and willows grow fresh. Good news comes from every quarter of the city, and plants and trees flourish.

Spring thunder rumbles softly, stirring living things from hibernation; all that slept begins gradually to revive. Yang energy first arises, willow branches put forth new shoots, and flowers open from their buds. Good news spreads everywhere, and joyful tidings reach the household.

Fourth Lot for the Chou Hour: Joyful News of Wealth, Highest Fortune

Looking back, the times were once unfavorable, bringing sorrow. Now the flowers and grasses have welcomed spring. Rice and grain are plentiful everywhere, and the melons and plums are fresh and ripe.

Now your fortunes are flourishing, and past troubles have faded. Winter has passed and spring has returned. Plants sprout of themselves, and flowers bloom of themselves. Melons and fruits ripen and bear abundantly, and everyone celebrates the new season together. Rice is plentiful, every household has grain, and the blessings of a bountiful harvest reach all.

Fifth Hour of the Ox: Illness Strikes, Most Inauspicious Lot

When natural calamity is at hand, prayers may not be enough to change it. Your strength is already spent—how can you endure? The Three Worms rise up to do harm; blood may have to be shed before tragedy comes to pass.

A grave illness that does not respond to treatment for a long time is much like a natural calamity. Though the condition has improved somewhat, it still drags on—is this not the will of Heaven? Moreover, the Three Worms may harm the body and consume its Jing and blood, so beware of harm from worm toxins. There is also reason to fear that the illness may strike the heart meridians and bring calamity. The patient’s strength is failing, and they can scarcely endure; the Three Worms are at work, and blood may have to be shed before tragedy comes to pass. The illness has taken deep hold and the situation is perilous; even medicine is unlikely to bring a swift recovery.

Sixth Hour of the Ox: A Small Joy, Moderately Auspicious Lot

Let your thoughts grow open and unburdened, and follow things as they naturally unfold. Play among the flowers, as if taking on their fragrance. At night, laugh and sing by lamplight; around the table, guests gather in warmth and goodwill.

Relax body and mind, and cast aside attachments and obstacles; then you can enjoy the freedom and simple delight of an untroubled heart. Follow the traces of the Dao to sense its subtle mysteries, and roam at ease in the human world. Among blossoms and wild grasses, keep your heart free of worldly dust. Light the lamps and set the banquet table, and many friends and relatives will gather of their own accord.

Seventh Hour of the Ox: Careful Endeavor, Small Success, Most Auspicious Lot

Do not worry to no purpose. Keep moving forward; do not lose heart or retreat. Fortunately, your fortunes are turning for the better, and you can gladly obtain precious goods and money.

Whether you sail to trade or seek fame and profit, you will not return empty-handed. You can gain wealth through commerce without suffering a loss. When fortune prospers and the year is peaceful, all kinds of affairs will go smoothly. Profits will be generous and money plentiful, making it possible to accomplish many things.

Eighth Hour of the Ox: Medicine and Needles Have No Effect, Most Inauspicious Lot

The illness has reached an incurable stage, and even Bian Que would be unable to practice his art. Though medicines and acupuncture can treat illness, they are unlikely to work now; traveling a thousand miles to seek a physician may not save the patient.

The condition is grave and the situation extremely perilous. Even if a potent medicine is prepared, no miraculous effect is likely. Even the renowned physicians Lu Yi and Bian Que would be unable to practice their art. Medicines and acupuncture are unlikely to take effect readily, and seeking treatment far away cannot resolve this crisis.

Illness has grown so severe that it seems to have reached an irreversible crisis. Even with good medicine, a remarkable cure may not be possible. Even renowned physicians such as Lu Yi and Bian Que would find it difficult to apply their skills; and even with miraculous elixirs, how could the present predicament be saved?

Ninth in the Chou Hour: Grudges Remain Unresolved, Lowest Fortune

Because you have planted evil causes as thorny as brambles, misfortune will spread to your descendants. The ferocity of jackals and wolves, too, will harm those who come after you. At night, the candles throughout the courtyard burn dimly; among the ashes, only a spark remains.

Misfortune brought on by resentment and wrongdoing may even ensnare your descendants. Indulging in extravagance and becoming absorbed in sensual pleasures will bring disaster upon you. Dim candles in the night symbolize acting in secret, making matters difficult to bring into the open. With only half a spark left in the ashes, rekindling the fire will be difficult.

Tenth in the Chou Hour: Reap Abundant Profits, Highest Fortune

As the water rises, the boat rises with it; things fall into place without effort. You already feel that your gains are too many to manage—who could compare with you?

The moon shines bright and the wind is still; the autumn moon naturally reveals its radiance. As the waters rise, the boat is lifted along with the current, without any need to row hard. The more there is to do, the more capably you will handle it, like Han Xin, skilled at commanding a great army. You will devote yourself wholeheartedly to your duties and refuse nothing, like Zhuge Liang, who gave his utmost in loyal service.

Eleventh in the Chou Hour: Highly Favorable for Relocation and Promotion, Highest Fortune

If your writing were not exceptional, how could you receive an unexpected promotion? As for an honored and important post, you will be close to the Purple Tenuity Enclosure, which in ancient times referred to the emperor’s residence and the central court.

Your literary talent is outstanding, and your name appears on the golden list. Your profound learning will earn you a place in the Jade Hall, among the honored institutions of the court such as the Hanlin Academy. You will serve in a prestigious and important post, with favor growing ever stronger, and your position may rise beyond your expectations. In an honored office, you will draw close to the center of the court and become widely renowned.

Twelfth in the Chou Hour: Empty in Appearance, Without Substance, Lowest Fortune

Without a body, one vainly embraces a shadow; on level ground, a growth appears for no reason. The bonds and burdens are all brought upon oneself. When will these sorrows finally fade?

Without substance, where could a shadow come from? Without water, where could waves come from? Matters that seem empty and groundless are often baseless rumors. Even words that sound as though they report real facts may be nothing more than hearsay from outside.

Thirteenth in the Chou Hour: Long Hardship Gradually Eases, Moderate Fortune

For a long time, the stricken dragon has lain coiled in the mud; the mountain slopes gently, and the tiger has lost its way. Now, little by little, you are climbing upward and emerging through the clouds and mist. As long as the sun has not yet set behind the western hills, there is still hope for a change in fortune.

The flood dragon has not yet received the clouds and rain; it lies confined in a deep, secluded cave. The jackal and tiger have lost their mountain forest and can only hide in the grass. A noble person lives quietly and cultivates De (Virtue/Power), waiting for fortune to turn in their favor; when the time comes, they can advance and achieve distinction. A scholar devotes himself to study and waits for the right moment, when his reputation will naturally emerge.

Chou Hour, Fourteenth Reading: A Journey Blocked; Fortune Extremely Poor

Illness clings to you, and you do not know when you will recover. The road ahead seems distant, as though veiled by mist and waves. The horse is exhausted and the traveler is weary; the sun is nearly gone, and all that can be heard are the cries of monkeys and foxes.

Your heart is troubled, as though an illness has lingered without recovery. Matters are difficult to set right, like a dangerous road ahead that cannot be crossed. The horse is tired and the traveler worn out; neither can move forward nor continue the journey. Evening is falling, and monkeys cry while foxes call. It is hard either to advance or to turn back.

Chou Hour, Fifteenth Reading: Help from Benefactors; Fortune Excellent

An arrow flies toward the clear sky. On the road, you encounter horses and cattle. The wheels turn smoothly, and goods and wealth move freely from place to place. The wind blows strongly in your favor, driving the boat onward.

When you seek rank and salary, someone will recommend you, bringing you a promotion. Even when setting out in hardship, you will find a fine horse to carry you. Wealth and goods are plentiful, and the wheels turn swiftly. With a favorable wind and clear waters, the boat travels smoothly and fast.

Chou Hour, Sixteenth Reading: Free to Advance or Retreat; Fortune Excellent

A fine horse crosses the mountain ridge ahead, while the Golden Crow—the sun—lights up a distant pass. There are no obstacles, high or low; song and dance express joy on radiant faces.

The sun rises into the sky, casting its light far away. The fine horse runs as swiftly as the wind, and the road ahead is smooth. Whether you wish to climb higher or quicken your pace, you can make your way upward; whether you advance or retreat, nothing holds you back. The horse crosses the mountain ahead, and the sun illuminates the distant pass. Free of hindrance in either direction, you have reason to rejoice.

Chou Hour, Seventeenth Reading: Disappointing Prospects; Fortune Extremely Poor

When will you finally meet a person of refined talent? On what day will this writing bring you distinction? Grief alone has turned your hair white; the scholar can only clutch his belly, helpless in hardship.

The essay is riddled with errors and omissions, leaving little hope of success in the examinations. Learning has grown rusty and declined, leaving only the fleeting pleasure of nostalgia. Though he longs for distinction, repeated setbacks follow him until his hair turns white, and he achieves nothing. He laments that his studies have gone to waste as the years slowly advance.

Chou hour, entry eighteen: Gain through quietude; middling and favorable.

Keeping faithfully to one’s proper place is the foremost secret; only then can one grasp the deeper meaning of a quiet mind. Do not let your thoughts become fixed on a single point, and do not view things through a narrow lens.

Only with a clear mind and settled thoughts can you understand the essentials within. With firm resolve and a calm spirit, you can appreciate the pleasure of music. Set aside worldly concerns and do not cling to external things; your judgment will naturally grow clear. Cultivate perfect enlightenment and investigate subtle principles, and the light of wisdom will appear.

Chou hour, entry nineteen: Acting in obscurity and confusion; most inauspicious.

A lovely woman harbors resentment and shuts her door against visitors; the feelings between the two are severed, and they cannot reach one another. There is no support whether advancing or withdrawing, and it is difficult to find the right path.

With unease and worry in your heart, beware of someone secretly interfering. A lack of communication between the parties often foretells that plans will be obstructed. Hidden complications entangle the matter, delaying its resolution; it is difficult to decide whether to advance or retreat. The heart feels stifled, and no proper way forward can be found.

With unease and worry in your heart, beware of someone secretly interfering. A lack of communication between the parties often foretells that plans will be obstructed. Hidden complications entangle the matter, delaying its resolution; it is difficult to decide whether to advance or retreat. Gloom and agitation persist, and it is hard to know whether joy or sorrow will prevail.

Chou hour, entry twenty: Loss and failure; most inauspicious.

Caught in urgent danger, yet still boasting of one’s own strength. Mocking others for having no way forward brings the resentment of both people and spirits.

When facing hardship, cultivate goodness and accumulate De (Virtue/Power) to dispel misfortune. When matters become perilous and difficult, act with caution and remain wary. Those who only boast of their boldness and fail to recognize their situation often suffer one setback after another. Envying others and seeking to harm them brings the anger of both people and spirits.

Chou hour, entry twenty-one: Unexpected joy; most auspicious.

A heavenly book descends from the clouds, and many carriages bearing elders arrive at the gate. The orchid chamber, a refined and noble dwelling, fills with fragrance; together, hand in hand, they enter the place of the moon hare.

Receiving a celestial book of elixir signifies that honor is to come. The arrival at the gate of carriages bearing people of virtue and renown foretells the joyful arrival of a worthy and distinguished person in the household. Matters proceed smoothly and as hoped, like entering an elegant chamber filled with the scent of orchids. Plans meet with success, as if ascending to the Vast Cold Palace and seeing the cassia tree where the moon hare dwells.

Chou hour, entry twenty-two: People and wealth both go as desired; most auspicious.

Precious jade should be treasured; year after year, the fragrance of japonica rice can be savored. Green stretches for a thousand miles, cool beneath the shade of trees, while peach and plum trees naturally form orderly rows.

It is like discovering precious jade in a mountain of treasure: when japonica rice ripens, it brings the joy of a rich harvest. When things go well, green shade and gentle calm are everywhere; possessions are plentiful, and peach and plum trees stand in rows, blossoming and bearing fruit.

The twenty-third fortune for the Chou hour: What you seek will eventually come to pass. Neutral. Ask at the proper time, and matters will surely proceed smoothly.

For now, things are not yet fully in order, and life may be difficult. Fortune naturally rises and falls; wherever you find yourself, you can live in peace.

The obstacles of human affairs are as difficult as climbing the roads of Shu; the worries and toil of making plans are like crossing a treacherous gorge. With the help of favorable timing, life will go smoothly, with ease and abundance. When dealings with others go well, plans can also be made complete. Fortune rises and falls, but will gradually improve.

The twenty-fourth fortune for the Chou hour: You will ultimately achieve something. Neutral.

After a long drought, all things are nearly scorched, and the crops in the fields are half dead. Spring water wells up from underground. Whether all things can revive depends on when the nourishing rain arrives.

The prolonged drought has exhausted the farmers; the fields are cracked, and the seedlings are parched. Just then, spring water wells up from the ground, as if the earth deity were lending support, keeping the drought from becoming a disaster. If nourishing rain falls as well, it will be Heaven’s aid, and there will still be hope for an autumn harvest.

The twenty-fifth fortune for the Chou hour: Calamity recedes and good fortune arrives. Great fortune.

Flowers bloom and then fade; in life, joy and sorrow each have their share. Treasure the years of old age, for new life will eventually return to the world.

Life brings joy and sorrow, meeting and parting, just as flowers bloom and fade. Fortune, too, shifts between ease and hardship, like the moon waxing and waning. If old age brings wealth, long life, health, and peace, it is like finding the warmth of spring in one’s later years—a source of joy and delight.

The twenty-sixth fortune for the Chou hour: Matters in every area will gradually go smoothly. Neutral.

Pray for blessings and you may find peace for a time; accept what comes, and your heart will naturally grow at ease. With incense offered at home, you can enjoy a quiet happiness even when nothing special is happening.

Reflect on your faults, and calamities will gradually fade; matters in every area will also begin to go smoothly. Accept what comes and let go of delusive thoughts, and your mind will find peace.

By reflecting on one’s own faults, calamities gradually fade and things slowly begin to go well. Follow circumstances as they arise and let go of deluded thoughts, and harmful spirits will naturally be subdued. Pray and make offerings of incense with sincerity: the more the incense burns, the more firmly divine power is established. Live contentedly in stillness and joy; the more gladness fills the heart, the more abundant the Daoist heart becomes.

Twenty-seven in the Chou Hour: Ordinary, with some gain

The circumstances of a lifetime come with the flow of fate, and a smile gradually spreads across the face as the days go by. Be content with your proper place, and you can enjoy a springlike peace; follow things as they unfold, and you may also gain wealth.

Wealth, rank, and fame are all chance possessions outside the self. Life and death, and the length of one’s years, are determined by fate. Those who are generous of heart encounter more joyful events and suffer fewer illnesses. Those who are content with their proper place live at ease, and calamities find it hard to reach them.

Twenty-eight in the Chou Hour: What you seek is obstructed, very inauspicious

Old age has arrived, and much time has been wasted. If your temperament is stubborn, disputes are easily provoked. Even on level ground, you may meet obstacles; any action may bring reproof from spirits and gods.

As you watch age and decline approach, all you can do is sigh in vain. Your skills have been neglected, and you can only lament the passing of time. Even a level road seems full of holes and hazards, with setbacks possible at every turn. Plans and undertakings are unlikely to bear fruit or succeed, and may bring blame from both people and spirits.

Twenty-nine in the Chou Hour: Hectic and disordered, having lost the Way, very inauspicious

Sorrow in the heart is already hard to bear; trapped in difficulty, the road ahead seems only to grow longer. You hope others will help, but no one offers a hand, and you do not know how many times you will have to suffer worry and grief.

Haste and confusion, along with countless anxieties, bring deep sadness. The road is blocked and there is no way forward; the mind remains unsettled, adding to the regret. Having lost the right path and lacking help from others, you can only dwell alone on your sorrow. Things go badly, even those close to you grow distant, and your efforts are spent in vain.

Thirty in the Chou Hour: What you seek comes to your satisfaction, most auspicious

A blue ox bears precious treasures, and a fine horse comes from a dragon’s womb. An extraordinary vision appears in a dream, foretelling the birth of a hero who will ascend to lofty heights and eventually attain high rank.

The blue ox carries precious wealth and can bear a burden of ten thousand jun. The fine steed is born from a dragon’s womb and travels a thousand li in a day. The birth of a hero is an auspicious sign foretelling distinction. Rank and fame will be achieved as desired, renown will spread far and wide, and all quarters will be in accord.

The first omen for the Yin hour foretells extraordinary good fortune. A fine horse born on the day of the Dragon’s womb can travel a thousand li in a day. An outstanding person appears at the right moment, bringing auspicious signs. Success comes as hoped, one’s reputation spreads far and wide, and one’s undertakings are likely to go smoothly.

The first omen for the Yin hour: An Extraordinary Opportunity, Superior Fortune.

You are no ordinary person, adrift and without support, but an outstanding figure who has recently risen to prominence. Your reputation will surpass that of the meritorious officials honored in the Lingyan Pavilion. You will receive the courtesies of the eminent, and your position may approach that of the Three Excellencies.

When someone encounters an opportunity to benefit the world, even an ordinary place can become the setting for extraordinary achievement. When circumstances favor an undertaking, one can gain a stipend amid easy conversation. “Extraordinary” means an unexpected opportunity that brings joy and excitement. “Princes and dukes” means the chance to meet a distinguished person and receive favor and courtesy.

The second omen for the Yin hour: Alone and Without Support, Inferior Fortune.

The situation surges like boiling water, like a lone leaf of a boat trying to cross a great river. Far from home, with no old friends to help, everything goes poorly, as though you were working against the season.

Your heart holds an ambition vast enough to swallow a boat, yet for now you are like someone wandering without support, unable to find a small boat to help you cross the river. This is like a lone army trapped and surrounded, cut off from reinforcements, or like a traveler living far from home, lonely and without anyone to rely on.

The verse for the second omen of the Yin hour says again: A lone boat crosses the river; in a foreign land, there are no friends; everything goes poorly. Though your aspirations are great, you lack the help needed to overcome obstacles. The situation is like a lone army under siege, or a traveler in a distant land with no one to look after them.

The third omen for the Yin hour: Petty People Gain Power, Inferior Fortune.

Frost chills and splits the skin, while a warhorse struggles along a long road. Misfortune is deep and spreads like bee venom; all you can do is lament being mired in difficulty.

Frost first forms underfoot, and only later becomes hard ice. The cold did not arise in a single day; nor is the skin damaged overnight. Slanderous, honeyed words are as piercing as a venomous bee’s sting. The harm caused by slander and flattering tongues is worse than incursions by the Quanrong.

The fourth omen for the Yin hour: The Noble Person Loses Power, Inferior Fortune.

In times represented by the Bi and Bo hexagrams, circumstances are difficult. Yin and Yang are blocked, unable to communicate. If you make plans alone, where can you find support? The red sun is obscured, and the vast sky loses its light.

When Heaven and Earth are blocked, this is called “Bi,” symbolizing hardship. When Yin and Yang are out of balance, this is called “Bo,” symbolizing calamity. When Bi and Bo occur together, the noble person’s path is obstructed. Yang Qi is weakened and Yin Qi is out of balance, making it easier for petty people to gain power.

The fifth omen for the Yin hour: Small Matters Go as Hoped, Average Fortune.

Even in the lands of the Hu or the Yue, one can live in peace; the fragrance of orchids and irises is especially lovely. Though you have not developed the resilience that comes from enduring frost and snow, for now you can be glad to take shelter beside flowering plants along a wall.

When things harmonize and do not part, this may be called “accord”; though separated by the lands of Hu and Yue, they can still answer one another. When what is beautiful remains orderly, this may be called “fine”—like irises and orchids sharing a room and adding fragrance to each other. Though they do not stand proudly against snow and frost like pine trees, they are still pleasing and delightful to behold.

Sixth hour of Yin: Reforming old abuses brings good fortune; average.

Past mistakes obstruct the road ahead, and a fondness for deviant things makes success difficult. As long as you remain fair and upright, you will accord with the spirits. No brambles block the way ahead, and the great road is open. If even the slightest doubt remains, do not resort to crooked methods. It is a good time to correct and renew; good fortune and blessings will gradually arrive. Uphold what is right and keep a righteous heart, and the spirits will naturally look upon you with care and protection.

Seventh hour of Yin: Press forward with vigor toward a path of eminence and success; supreme good fortune.

Years of effort lie stored in the heart, then emerge in a single night like a rainbow unfurling. The Northern Dipper shines clear and cold, unobscured. Behold the three-edged blade—the divine weapon or might of the gods in Daoist usage.

Those who study with diligence can hope to succeed; those resolved to advance will, in time, meet their chance to rise. The three-foot divine blade flashes, sweeping away all evil spirits. The seven stars of the Northern Dipper stand in solemn majesty, turning the workings of creation.

Eighth hour of Yin: Sorrow first, good fortune later; average.

Though the spring breeze has yet to grow strong, the heart dwells in vain on the beauty of days gone by. Only when the autumn clouds have dispersed will the sunlight gradually shine bright again.

In early spring, warm energy has just begun to stir, and nothing has yet sprouted. Only with the autumn moon does the moonlight appear, and all blessings gather with it. If you seek an answer about something you hope for, things will be dim at first, then grow clear and go smoothly. Whatever you undertake will begin poorly but improve in the end. Once circumstances settle, new life will begin to emerge.

Ninth hour of Yin: Lacking support at home and abroad; least good fortune.

There is discord at home and among the six close relations—parents, siblings, spouse, children, and other kin. Farming or business dealings may also bring harm to you. Your circumstances are unsettled, and your spirit cannot rest. It is still hard to know when the old situation will change.

Trouble at home drives loved ones apart, and even those who love one another may be separated. Your mind and spirit are unsettled; even the clever may grow confused, and everything you do seems clumsy. Without anyone’s help, your strength is slight, yet you must bear a weight of a thousand jun—how could you manage it? If great waves rise on a long journey, you will be like a leaf adrift on the water. Where could you find safe passage?

Yin Hour, No. 10: Wealth and possessions unsettled; a very inauspicious lot

Fear that rifts will arise among relatives, friends, and neighbors, while your resources gradually run dry. If you force your way onto a forked road, where could you find a level, secure place to go?

Worry that relatives and friends will be separated, as if they were close by yet unable to meet. Fear that your possessions will be damaged, and that you may indeed suffer a loss, like something cherished being stolen away. If you must part ways, the road ahead is steep and rugged, and no level path is yet in sight. “Unsettled” means that intentions grow divided and affairs are obstructed, with one difficulty and discord after another.

Yin Hour, No. 11: Fear and unease, missteps in action; a very inauspicious lot

The luminous pearl is lost, like a dragon that has sunk into hiding and can no longer reveal its power. A tiger has passed, yet no human footprints remain on the ground. When will you be able to sleep in peace? Even in the light of the setting sun, fear and sorrow still fill the heart.

When a tiger loses its claws and fangs, it can no longer display its might or command; it is trapped in a shadowy valley. When a dragon loses its luminous pearl, its supernatural powers suddenly wane, and it can only hide in silence in the depths. Inner terror is like sitting amid a thicket of thorns; sorrow and anguish are like lying on a bed of needles.

Yin Hour, No. 12: Advancement is in sight; a very auspicious lot

With lofty ambitions, you can attach yourself to figures like dragons and phoenixes. How could you be like a wren, content with shelter on a small branch? Though mist and rain now obscure the level ground before you, within a single night you may soar up to the Celestial Lake.

How could a great swan, the bird of lofty ambition, keep company with sparrows? How could the Kunpeng, the legendary giant bird, be compared with a wren? With the support of a benefactor, you may travel ten thousand miles and rise to prominence. Strive forward, and you can advance with ease, rising step by step until you stand out from the crowd. Though the way is now shrouded in mist, you may reach the heights in a single night.

Yin Hour, No. 13: Prospects of being entrusted with important work and gaining wealth; a very auspicious lot

You have already seized the crucial move and gained the advantage. By evening, the situation will divide like black and white on a chessboard. A ferry crossing on the great river is open; spread your wings with the current, and you can fly far and high.

When planning something, one may make arrangements at dusk, yet the undertaking may not succeed until later. Pursuing a goal is like shooting an arrow: the bow is aimed here, but the arrow strikes a distant place. If a boat is available to cross a river, there is no need to worry about getting across; if wings assist one in ascending to the heavens, there is no need to fear being unable to fly.

Yin Hour, Fourteenth Sign: First Emptiness, Then Fulfillment; Most Auspicious.

Thunder shakes the roads of heaven. Dark clouds gather thickly and linger for a long time. Suddenly, sweet rain descends, and abundant blessings arrive together with a celestial edict.

Before heavy rain falls, thick clouds must first gather. Likewise, before favor and official stipends are bestowed, one often has to labor diligently in public service. Sweet rain nourishes the fields and sustains all things, foretelling a plentiful harvest and prosperous times. A vermilion edict, which commends merit, is used to praise good deeds and bestowed upon those of great merit and virtue.

Yin Hour, Fifteenth Sign: Discord in Human Affairs; Most Inauspicious.

People gather reluctantly at a drinking feast, but quarrel over matters such as expenses. They try to settle old grievances, yet the grievances remain unresolved, and they can only endure the bullying of petty people.

When people drink and make merry while trading barbs, noisy arguments soon erupt. Careless words in jest can also invite trouble and disputes. The resentment born of such exchanges grows deeper over time; troubles stirred up in haste may likewise accumulate until they are difficult to contain.

Yin Hour, Sixteenth Sign: Worry of Calamity; Most Inauspicious.

There is fear of a snake in the house, while the neighing of horses brings only sighs. Flames blaze fiercely, as if one were caught in a fire; even the red sun is obscured, its light dim and unclear.

When a snake enters a home, peace rarely returns to the household. When horses neigh, travelers may struggle to arrive on time. The fire may seem fierce but prove to be a false alarm; even so, take care by day and remain vigilant at night for the time being. Clouds veil the sky and dim the light, foretelling that matters may remain unclear. Thus one worries day after day and stays constantly on guard.

Yin Hour, Seventeenth Sign: News Arrives Gradually; Most Auspicious.

It has been a long time since leaving the post station and traveling alone. Clouds and mist block the way, and the expected letter is long delayed. Last night, a flower formed in the lamp wick, foretelling that precious good news will arrive tomorrow morning.

After a long journey away from home, one has had no word from family or friends for a long time. Then, like a wild goose flying in from afar, a precious letter suddenly arrives. A flower forming in the lamp wick means joyful news is about to reach the door; magpies calling one after another foretell that good news will come to the household.

At the eighteenth lot for the Yin hour: Travel will bring good fortune; supreme auspiciousness.

If you want matters settled quickly, you may have to wait. Seek opportunities actively, and the doubts in your heart will naturally fade. The banks of the stream are lush and green, and the path beside the water is smooth. Wherever you go will be suitable.

You are now wavering, wanting both to advance and to retreat, unable to make up your mind. When you want to act, you hold back and stay silent. Fortunately, the beautiful scenery before you is still like an enchanted realm inside a wine flask, and you can enjoy it to your heart’s content. Do not worry that you have reached a dead end; simply put your mind at ease.

At the nineteenth lot for the Yin hour: Affairs will proceed without obstruction; supreme auspiciousness.

A mirror like precious jade is free of dust, and a sharp golden knife can make a clean cut. Good things will come to pass naturally if you let them; why stir up dust and add needless trouble?

Only a polished mirror can show whether a face is beautiful or plain; only a sharp blade can cut appropriately according to whether something is hard or soft. A mirror free of dust means that confusion and obstacles have been cleared away. When matters unfold in keeping with the circumstances and your choices accord with your wishes, your heart will be at ease.

At the twentieth lot for the Yin hour: When difficulties arise, progress will be slow and things will go poorly; extreme inauspiciousness.

Across the riverbank, you hear a crow cawing; several dangerous shallows still lie ahead. The spirits are angered, yet only sneer coldly. The road to the immortal altar has been cut off.

Crows caw and beasts roar, but their sounds come to nothing. When the road is perilous and the way is lost, people can only sigh in sorrow. The phrase “the spirits rebuke” means the spirits are furious but will not forgive someone whose transgressions are grave. “The road is cut off” means that even if you set out, you will not get through, because your heart for the Dao is weak and your De is insufficient.

At the twenty-first lot for the Yin hour: Finances will go poorly; extreme inauspiciousness.

The more you hoard, the more you may lose. Trying to recover your money will only make matters drag on. Even if you gain something, it will be as fleeting and unsettled as a drunken dream; the worries in your heart will bring only sorrow.

Those who greedily amass wealth focus only on gaining, yet may end up losing more and more. Deceitful and wicked acts cannot bring good fortune; they are bound to invite disaster. When the mind is unsettled, a person becomes confused and dazed, as if lost in a drunken dream. A thought that strays even slightly can bring a tangle of worries that will not let go.

At the twenty-second lot for the Yin hour: Both people and wealth will suffer losses; extreme inauspiciousness.

The crow has flown away and cannot be brought back. Dark clouds gather, and rain hangs low. In seeking the true Dao, you instead lose your way, and sorrow meets you at every turn.

Time flies like a crow in flight or a hare racing past; once the sun and moon have passed, they cannot be called back. Dark clouds gather, rain is near, and Heaven and Earth grow dim, making it hard to see. In seeking the true Dao, one loses the way and never meets an immortal; one’s cultivation of the Dao is hard to bring to completion. Living alone, one feels sorrowful: benefits remain out of reach, and one’s reputation is hard to establish.

Twenty-third hour of Yin: Hope comes in the evening; middling fortune.

The iron inkstone is ground again and again, yet matters make no progress. What can be done? Wait until autumn waters rise and the river widens, with sails unfurled. Then the Cowherd and Weaver Girl will meet across the Milky Way.

Achievement and reputation have yet to be realized, like an iron inkstone that must be ground for a long time before it wears through. The time is not yet right; what use is it to exhaust every clever scheme? One must wait for a later hour and a favorable opportunity. Then autumn will seem like spring, and matters will suddenly open up. In old age, one encounters a flourishing turn of fortune; even in one’s declining years, one can regain strength.

Twenty-fourth hour of Yin: Meeting a kindred spirit; joyful events are near; very auspicious.

Long trapped in mud and sand, one’s starlike radiance will still shine forth. With the help of a master craftsperson’s skilled hands, and through encouragement and refinement, the Yellow Sprout—a precious substance in Daoist cultivation—can be brought to light.

True gold mixed with sand cannot be made into a vessel without smelting and refining. Fine jade hidden in rough stone cannot be distinguished without carving and polishing. The Yellow Sprout emerges from the earth and meets a true immortal; white jade reveals its brilliance and finds an excellent craftsperson.

Twenty-fifth hour of Yin:

The original repeats the final line of the previous lot, “With the help of a master craftsperson’s hands, encouragement brings forth the Yellow Sprout,” and restates the ideas that true gold must be smelted and refined, fine jade carved and polished, and that the Yellow Sprout meets a true immortal while white jade finds a skilled craftsperson.

Twenty-fifth hour of Yin: Matters proceed smoothly; very auspicious.

Even in youth, one achieves success that rises straight into the clouds; one’s vigorous spirit often soars high above. Now is the right time to act: one can take flight and break free of constraints.

This is the season for climbing the ladder of clouds and plucking cassia blossoms in the Moon Palace—a metaphor for passing the imperial examinations. It is also the moment when long-held ambitions are about to take flight and soar into the sky. “Smooth and open” means that the road ahead is clear and the way forward broad; “the time is right” means that circumstances are favorable, matters are gradually falling into place, and the heart is at ease.

Twenty-sixth hour of Yin: Matters come to nothing; empty and void; very inauspicious.

There is no point speaking again of defeat and retreat. The mountains rise high, and the sun has already set. Horses race onward, but people are left disappointed; even the village fires gradually die away.

High mountains at sunset mark a time of worry. Losing a battle and one’s troops means one’s spirit is broken and one’s edge blunted. Matters cannot be brought to completion: however much effort one expends, however far one travels or schemes, it is all in vain. The road is impassable, and even the cleverest plans will fade like smoke.

Twenty-seventh hour of Yin: Illness persists; very inauspicious.

When the mind is filled with doubts, sleep is troubled by restless dreams. When thoughts linger constantly on someone, sorrow grows deeper. When will a way to ease this grief be found? Looking back, several autumns have already passed.

When the mind is in turmoil, dreams cannot be peaceful. Too many ambitions and concerns entangle the mind and scatter the spirit. How can obsessive pursuit bring anything but one worry after another? Seeking what one wants with a heavy heart will surely bring troubles that go on and on.

Twenty-eighth fortune at the hour of the Tiger: Keep a calm heart and yield to preserve peace; a very inauspicious fortune.

Keeping to one’s proper place leads toward peace and security, while rushing about in every direction easily brings hardship. There is wisdom in knowing when to advance and retreat, when to bend and stretch. Joy brings a smiling face; sorrow, a furrowed brow.

Those who keep to their proper place know when enough is enough and find happiness in contentment. Those who cultivate a calm, quiet life can preserve their vitality. In stillness, remain still; know when to yield, and when to advance. If you sink ever deeper into confusion, you will invite hardship and misfortune.

Twenty-ninth fortune at the hour of the Tiger: A little recognition from a kindred spirit; a middling fortune.

Beyond the courtyard, someone waits humbly and in silence. Suddenly, a sound like the cry of a phoenix is heard. Their bond is as firm as metal joined by cutting; their hearts understand one another. One should recognize this as the music of Boya’s zither.

Those who are humble have few worries to cloud the mind. Hearing this beautiful sound, they know that an auspicious sign is near. “Metal joined by cutting” refers to deep friendship and the fine custom of yielding to one another; “tuning the zither” symbolizes meeting a friend who understands and resonates with you. Boya was a skilled musician of ancient times, and “Boya’s zither” is often used as a metaphor for the meeting of kindred spirits.

Thirtieth fortune at the hour of the Tiger: Success and distinction come together; a most auspicious fortune.

In the morning, one strolls by the lotus lake; at dusk, one ascends Lingyan Pavilion, the Tang dynasty hall adorned with portraits of meritorious officials. With lofty ambition, one sets out singing, the horse’s hooves surging forward as if chasing the sunlight.

When moral cultivation is complete, one can wander freely in the realm of immortals. When merit is fulfilled, one can roam at ease among the four seas and five lakes. Once one’s achievements are established, one’s name may be preserved at Lingyan Pavilion. With ambition set high, one may at last attain a rank as exalted as that of the qilin and phoenix.

First fortune at the hour of the Rabbit: Success may follow hard effort; a most auspicious fortune.

The road twists and turns like a sheep’s intestine, and the paths of this world are indeed full of hardship. When salary and opportunity finally meet, one can rise on the wind and ascend to a higher place.

Worries crowd the mind, thoughts are in disarray, and sorrow is hard to dispel. The road through life is difficult; what you seek has yet to go smoothly. Your own strength is limited, and few come to your aid. First you must pass through hardships like wind and frost. When success comes, do not grow proud. Later, support will arrive in the form of income and opportunity; even when things go your way, do not become neglectful.

Second Mao Hour Lot: Renewed efforts hold promise; fortune is steady.

Set the tangled threads in order again, and repair the boat amid the rapids and dangerous gorges. If you can wait for the spring rain to nourish the land, flowers, grasses, and trees will flourish all at once.

The road ahead is still blocked: as though crossing one stretch of water only to meet another mountain. Your plans have yet to succeed, like the ends of tangled threads knotted together once more. A worn and damaged boat, repaired anew, can still cross the Qutang Gorge. When blessings like sweet rain return, newly grown flowers and trees will flourish again.

Third Mao Hour Lot: Be prepared for reversals; fortune is steady.

Your thoughts are tangled like hemp, and before your eyes it seems one flower appears after another. When will you be able to brush away the dust and clear up the confusion, returning to the home where your old companions dwell?

Complications follow one after another: just as one matter passes, another arises. The rolling waves are the same: one recedes, and another surges forward. “Brushing away” means removing outside distractions, so that minor worries will fade. “Looking back” means reflecting on and correcting past mistakes, so that major troubles will subside.

Fourth Mao Hour Lot: Many obstacles lie ahead; fortune is poor.

You are not yet old, yet already lament the sorrow of white hair. Your troubles multiply, and your grief is hard to resolve. Wherever you go, it is as though you meet brambles; when will your sorrow finally lift?

You are not old yet, but fret about old age in advance. Matters have already fallen into decline, and you add sorrowful lamentation to them in vain. The road is thick with brambles, obstructing your progress; danger of a fall lies ahead, and your efforts to get things done are unlikely to go smoothly.

Fifth Mao Hour Lot: What you seek will satisfy you; fortune is excellent.

With careful planning, you can gain the advantage; an opportunity you encounter is no accident. Position and reputation will both find their proper place, and a splendid prospect, rich as flowers and brocade, will open onto level ground.

By gaining the advantage in your plans, you will see results later. In matters of position and income, move in a favorable direction and things will turn out auspiciously. “Finding ground” means a future rich as flowers and brocade; “meeting one another” means that opportunity and circumstance align, not by chance.

Sixth Mao Hour Lot: Family fortunes prosper auspiciously; fortune is excellent.

Peach and plum blossoms and trees brighten the household gate; streams and green hills surround the distant dwelling. Heavenly fragrance gathers and lingers, while the scenery before your eyes renews itself with the changing seasons.

Spring is at its height, and peach and plum trees bloom in fragrant beauty. In autumn, the streams and mountains are clear and bright, with no haze or dust to obscure them.

Mao Hour, Sixth Sign: Household Prosperity and Good Fortune, Most Auspicious

Peach and plum blossoms brighten the entrance to the home, while a stream and green hills encircle the house in the distance. The celestial incense—the fragrance produced by worship or burning incense—lingers for a long time, and the surrounding landscape renews itself with the seasons.

In spring, blossoms flourish and peach and plum trees present a scene of fragrant beauty. In autumn, the sky is clear and bright, and no dust veils the stream and hills. Fragrance rises and spreads all around, like the scent of orchids. The seasonal scenery takes on a fresh appearance, foretelling peace in the household and lasting blessings and celebration.

Mao Hour, Seventh Sign: Deception and Confusion, Most Inauspicious

Jade can no longer be distinguished from stone, and treacherous people are hard to see for what they are. Resentment arises from secret wrongdoing, while snakes and rats devour one another.

Even when treacherous flatterers are closely scrutinized, they may not be able to protect themselves; those who harm others in secret may be difficult to escape, even for the worthy and wise. If genuine jade can scarcely be distinguished from common stone, it is likewise hard to tell the uprightness of a noble person from the wickedness of a petty one.

Mao Hour, Eighth Sign: Support and Gain, Most Auspicious

When it is time to set out, go without hesitation or delay, as though treading among the stars of the Northern Dipper at the edge of the sky, a constellation often used in Daoism and ancient astronomy to guide the way. A gentle breath can raise enormous waves; horses gallop with the force of thunder.

The road ahead is open, so do not hesitate or put things off. Good fortune will lend its support in keeping with the moment, clear as the light of the stars. Great waves surge when driven by the wind, and dense clouds gain power from the sound of thunder: this means that with support, affairs will gather greater momentum.

Mao Hour, Ninth Sign: Affairs Full of Deceit, Most Inauspicious

Some people speak only empty words. Though they clearly have no sincere intentions, they insist on pretending to disagree. They mock others for having the faces of beasts, yet they themselves are caught in circumstances that shift and change unpredictably.

False talk and polished words sound clever and smooth as a reed instrument; deceitful nonsense sounds as sweet as honey. Trusting others too readily, making promises too easily, and judging only by appearances without understanding what lies beneath may lead one to discover that someone who looks human has the heart of a beast—joyful in the morning, angry by evening.

Mao Hour, Tenth Sign: Affairs Fulfilled and Success Achieved, Most Auspicious

After nine cycles of refinement, cinnabar is complete, as if one had taken in the essence of the sun and moon. The subtle principle is truly like the Dragon and Tiger; between Heaven and Earth, a single Yellow Sprout is taking shape, symbolizing the first emergence of subtle Qi in Daoist internal alchemy.

The wondrous efficacy of the Golden Elixir depends on repeated refinement. Abundance, longevity, and well-being result from the Qi of the Five Phases being pure and in harmony. When clouds and barriers in the sky disperse, the sun and moon reveal their radiance. When a person has a steadfast Daoist heart, the Dragon and Tiger within—the symbols of Yin-Yang Qi—will come together and settle into repose.

Mao Hour, Eleven: Success in Cultivation, an Excellent Omen

The practitioner’s immortal bones stand tall like towering pines. One who has refined the elixir knows the methods of Ge Hong, the Daoist and alchemist of the Jin dynasty. The crane’s urgent cry carries beyond the clouds, and the practitioner is already above the blue heavens.

The bearing and character of one who cultivates the Dao can rival those of Qiaosong, a legendary immortal. Their life can be as long as that of the tortoise and crane, and as secure as a rock. When cultivation and merit are complete, they may become immortals beyond the clouds; when the fruits of the Dao are realized, they may become guests of Penghu, the legendary mountain-island in the sea.

Mao Hour, Twelve: Keep to Your Place and Preserve What You Have, an Excellent Omen

Drinking and revelry can easily lead to indulgence, like Bi Zhuo, the Jin-dynasty gentleman famed for his love of wine. The mind becomes clouded and the heart stirred, as in the old story of Zhuangzi dreaming he was a butterfly. One should remain clear-minded and awaken to oneself in good time, like the fresh breeze along the riverbank after daybreak. An older, worthy person who keeps to their proper place and seizes the right moment is like the bright moonlight at dusk.

Mao Hour, Thirteen: People Depart and Wealth Disperses, a Very Inauspicious Omen

Dreaming souls drift away like clouds, and those who have left home have no known time of return. Horses gallop, people depart, and in the end only tears remain to wet the lapels.

Dreaming souls drift toward the edge of the sky with the clouds, gradually vanishing without a trace. People and wealth scatter and are lost, like gulls on the water. Horses and oxen rush on without stopping and cannot be controlled; what has happened can no longer be undone. All that remains is sorrowful weeping and a heart that cannot be still.

Mao Hour, Fourteen: Many Calamities in the Household, a Very Inauspicious Omen

Before one knows it, a snakebite brings pain; once the hawk has flown far away, the flock can no longer keep together. After the spring rain, crows call while people remain busy beneath the blazing sun.

A flock of geese falling out of formation signals discord among siblings and brothers parting ways. A snakebite that breaks a bone foretells trouble for close family, and may also point to discord between spouses. Hearing crows call after the rain, one can only sigh at the sorrowful scene before one’s eyes. The flowers have withered, and people toil in the sunlight. Looking back, even one’s own shadow seems lonely and out of place.

Mao Hour, Fifteen: Protected by the Divine, an Excellent Omen

The success or failure of one’s endeavors brings its own consequences; merit accumulated in secret is indeed protected by the divine. The road ahead is now open, and one can strive upward. Once success is attained, one can leave behind the troubles of the mundane world.

Accumulated hidden virtue will surely bring good rewards that people can see. Good deeds will surely bring blessings. Above, they can free one’s ancestors from hardship and bring them protection, passing good fortune down through the generations; below, they can make one’s descendants prosper and earn honor, with the spirits coming to their aid.

Mao Hour, Lot 16: Unexpected News, Excellent Fortune

Swallows descend from the edge of the sky, and one message after another arrives on horseback. What no one had expected comes before its appointed time: joyful news arrives in quick succession.

In the bright light of spring, swallows bring happy tidings; beneath the clear skies of autumn, wild geese carry auspicious news. The person you long to see may suddenly arrive, bringing the joy of a flower in bloom. Plans and undertakings, too, will come to a successful conclusion, like willows spreading their shade.

Mao Hour, Lot 17: Slow at First, Then Swift, Moderate Fortune

Rain hangs over the mountains, and the person who set out has not yet returned. When the wind scatters the clouds and rain, the bright moon will light up a smiling face.

The rain falls heavily, the mountain roads are perilous, travelers are delayed, and news is scarce. When the rain passes and the clouds disperse, the heart will feel clear and light. Before long, the wind will be gentle and the moon bright, and you will be able to smile with joy.

Mao Hour, Lot 18: People and Wealth in Turmoil, Very Poor Fortune

Worry keeps churning within, and fear surges like waves. There is nothing to say; one can only brood in vain, as if people and spirits alike were coming to cause trouble.

Uneasy doubt and worry are called “anxiety.” Worry and fear, followed by a sudden misfortune, are called “alarm.” Fear unsettles the mind and disrupts one’s affairs, leaving one resentful and speechless. Discord among people may also make it seem that shadowy, ghostly forces are causing harm.

Mao Hour, Lot 19: A Clear Path Ahead, Excellent Fortune

Willow branches and leaves are fresh and flourishing; pine trees stand tall and strong. With careful effort, springlike good times can last, and the southeast will be especially prosperous.

Bamboo and pine fear neither frost nor snow, while locust trees and willows are enjoying mild, pleasant weather. Fortunately, a noble person will give thoughtful support, and present difficulties will gradually give way to prosperity. Even in the height of summer, you can travel at ease and see your wishes fulfilled.

Mao Hour, Lot 20: Support from Others, Excellent Fortune

It is as though a boat has reached the middle of a river and is about to lose its footing. Fortunately, a gourd comes to the rescue and keeps it afloat. Then a favorable wind carries it to shore, as the moon shines in a clear sky.

As the boat reached the middle of the river, it suddenly encountered danger, and life hung in the balance. Fortunately, someone came to the rescue in time, and in an instant the danger had passed. Once the boat reached shore with a favorable wind, the heart settled and things began to go smoothly. It was like the red sun rising: darkness gradually receded, and the gloom grew bright again.

Hour of the Rabbit, Twenty-One: A Smooth Road Ahead, Supreme Fortune

When hearts are in accord, it is like arriving at Zhuojin Stream, a river of splendid beauty. In the capital, lotus flowers are blooming once more. Everywhere one goes offers a chance to rise to success; it is as if the clouds have parted and the ninth heaven has come into view.

When hearts are in accord and the road is clear, one can freely admire the splendid mountains and rivers. After achieving success and renown, one enjoys honor in the capital. A bright future lies ahead, with opportunities everywhere to fulfill one’s ambitions; as the clouds part, it seems one can gaze up at the ninth heaven.

When hearts are in accord and the road is clear, one can freely admire the splendid mountains and rivers. After achieving success and renown, one enjoys honor in the capital. One’s career flourishes, and the toad in the moon—an old concern—no longer weighs on the heart. As the clouds disperse, it seems one could mount a luan bird or crane, the fabled birds of immortals, and ascend.

Hour of the Rabbit, Twenty-Two: Many Things Go Awry, Utmost Misfortune

Clouds and mist suddenly cover the level ground; the mountain path grows indistinct and difficult to climb. There is much resentment, and all one can do is cover one’s sleeve and sigh in vain. What seems close at hand is like something beyond the clouds, impossible to reach.

Layer upon layer of clouded mountains makes the way impossible to see. The moonlight is dim, and it is hard to reach for the cassia tree in Guanghan Palace, the legendary palace on the moon. Resentment builds, and when people hold grudges against one another, they become guarded in everything they do. Affection is shallow, things readily go wrong, and one’s conduct in advancing or retreating is liable to misstep.

Hour of the Rabbit, Twenty-Three: Some Doubts, Yet Some Success, Moderate Fortune

Red rain dampens cheeks like peach blossoms. There is no need to let the pain of parting give rise to suspicion or resentment. The spring breeze seems to be waiting for its moment; life will eventually sprout anew.

A face like a peach blossom cannot withstand sudden rain and fierce wind. Tender affection and hollow sentiment need not lead to suspicions about parting or resentment. When spring arrives, flowers and trees will sprout again, and the doubts in the heart will fade. Small matters can be accomplished, bringing joy, and the heart will once again feel at ease.

Hour of the Rabbit, Twenty-Four: Matters Remain Unsettled, Utmost Misfortune

One’s self is like foam floating on water, tossed about by the wind, like willow fluff drifting at random. The waves have yet to settle. Where, then, can one look for a clear trail or direction?

A person’s life is like foam on the water, appearing suddenly and vanishing just as suddenly. The affairs of the world are like flying willow fluff, gathering at times and scattering at others. Hoping for progress is like watching bubbles appear and disappear beside a tree; making plans is like trying to grasp willow fluff tossed wildly by the wind.

Hour of the Rabbit, Twenty-Five: Certain to Receive Special Favor, Supreme Fortune

Ah.

A person’s life is like foam on the water: it appears suddenly and then just as suddenly disappears. The affairs of the world are like willow fluff drifting through the air: sometimes it gathers, and sometimes the wind scatters it. Hopes just ahead are like foam that appears and vanishes among the trees; making plans is like fluff whirling wildly in the wind.

Mao Hour, Lot Twenty-Five: Certain to Receive Exceptional Favor, Very Auspicious

A white crane will appear along the road ahead, while mandarin ducks gently tap at a jade vessel. A lavish banquet will be prepared of its own accord, and amid the joy you will also receive the help of a noble person.

The white crane and the luan bird in flight signify that the wish for freedom and ease has been fulfilled. Mandarin ducks paired together foretell favor and delight. The Celestial Kitchen, a symbol of abundant food, prepares precious delicacies, while a noble person also offers help discreetly.

Mao Hour, Lot Twenty-Six: Yu’s Stratagem Is Certain to Succeed, Very Auspicious

What matters most in planning for victory? First and foremost, having exceptional talent. Good fortune in receiving special recognition will continue. Even if you travel a thousand miles alone, you can strive to achieve great merit.

A subtle scheme is called a “chou”: it enables one to infer how things will unfold. A judgment made by weighing gains and losses is called a “ce.” With both, victory is not difficult; even on a journey of a thousand miles, striving for achievement will go smoothly. The allusion referred to here by “Yu’s Stratagem” is unclear. The lot’s main point is that planning and sound judgment help bring victory.

Mao Hour, Lot Twenty-Seven: Verbal Attacks and Conflict, Very Inauspicious

When words and actions contradict each other, one does nothing but speak idly about right and wrong, with no sense of honor or shame, and speaks and acts recklessly.

A person whose conduct accords with their words is called a junzi; one whose words and conduct do not match is called a xiaoren. Destroying what is true and disrupting the right path brings grave blame, while reversing right and wrong also invites punishment. “Using the tongue as a staff and plow” is the lot’s way of describing the retribution brought on by malicious and reckless speech.

Mao Hour, Lot Twenty-Eight: What You Seek Is Within Reach, Moderately Auspicious

Do not hesitate when taking action. After parting, another cup of wine can still be poured. Do not worry over a thin, gaunt figure: moonlight in the courtyard is shining on plum blossoms by the river.

A hesitant mind often comes from repeated setbacks. Pouring another cup of wine suggests that though joy has been interrupted, it can return. A gaunt figure shows that sorrow has become visible; the moon shining on cold plum blossoms foretells that something beautiful will come later.

Mao Hour, Lot Twenty-Nine: Joyous Occasions Will Gradually Arise, Very Auspicious

The waning moon has not yet become full; look again at the osmanthus tree, where its seeds have already formed. Though the horse has not yet quickened its pace, a joyful smile has already appeared between the brows.

The new moon has just risen, and signs that it will grow full are already visible. Though the horse walks slowly, its time to gallop will come. If you ask about fame and office, what begins modestly will gradually rise, with favor increasing at every step. If you ask about wealth and income, what is meager will gradually become ample, and joy will follow upon joy.

Mao Hour, Third Lot: Separation of Family Members, the Lowest Lot.

A lone wild goose, parted from its companions, cries mournfully by itself, its voice gradually fading from hearing. You gaze toward the person you miss, yet never see them, as though distant layers of cloud and mist lay between you.

A wild goose separated from its flock symbolizes the grief of widowhood for one member of a married couple. Its unceasing cries symbolize the sorrow of brothers parted and scattered. If you seek an answer about family members, this foretells separation in life or death. If you make plans or take action, misfortune and calamity may follow.

The Upper Volume of the Precious Lots of Mysterious Truth and Spiritual Response is complete.

Lot theme: Seeking a name and office; advancing through a recommendation.

The upper volume is complete.

Middle Volume:

Chen Hour, First Lot: Blessings Bestowed by Heaven, the Highest Lot.

Clouds drift apart at the edge of the sky, and a true immortal descends, imparting a jade-toned message—the will of the immortals. Blessings, honor, wealth, and longevity will all come together to this household, bringing delight.

When the clouds part, the sky clears, and the Qi of Heaven and Earth becomes harmonious and pure. When a true immortal arrives, the household prospers and affairs proceed smoothly. Showing kindness and practicing De (Virtue) naturally make blessings and prosperity endure. Honoring the Dao and revering the immortals will also bring blessings and honor that continue through time.

Chen Hour, Second Lot: Obscurity and Obstruction, Unable to Advance, the Lowest Lot.

Clouds rise at the edge of the sky; how can the moonlight shine brightly? A traveler walks along a perilous mountain path and can go no farther.

Clouds cover the moon, robbing its light of radiance; a dangerous path blocks the traveler and leaves them lost. Matters you are eager to handle will not go smoothly, so you cannot advance even if you wish to. Everything is obstructed and has yet to reach a resolution, so you cannot retreat even if you wish to.

Chen Hour, Third Lot: Human Relations Obstructed, the Lowest Lot.

Jade and stone lie buried together in the earth, and the worthy and the foolish cannot be judged separately. Right and wrong are mixed together; how can they live in harmony with one another?

Precious and beautiful things are called jade; rough, stubborn, and hard things are called stone. Those with talent and virtue are called worthy; those without talent or virtue are called foolish. Now that truth and falsehood, right and wrong, cannot be distinguished, mistakes are bound to occur, bringing obstacles in their wake.

Third Hour of Chen: Human Affairs Meet Obstruction, Lowest Fortune

Alone, you ascend high into the clouds; the road ahead still stretches for thousands of distant miles. Once every other obstacle is gone, the luan bird and the immortal crane can roam freely.

The clouds are high and distant, far removed from the mortal world; the long journey of thousands of miles also shows how far the road ahead extends. If obstacles can be removed, your wishes can come to pass with the current; attaining freedom and ease brings joy and welcomes good fortune.

Fourth Hour of Chen: Virtuous Intent Brings Good Fortune, Highest Fortune

All things yield an abundant harvest, as autumn ripens the crops; laughter and cheerful voices carry to the Wind Tower. Make offerings of incense with care, pledge your wishes, and together repay the protection of the gods.

When the hundred grains flourish and all things are gathered in, good fortune converges and the heavens and earth fill with an air of harmony and joy. The more devoutly incense is offered, the deeper the blessing; the more steadfast and sincere the heart, the more securely joy and wishes can be realized.

Fifth Hour of Chen: Wishes Fulfilled, Highest Fortune

Spring fills the immortal garden; gentle breezes blow, and the flowers are in full bloom. The heart is joyful and free of worry; all that you do accords with the intentions of the gods.

Beneath gentle breezes and fair skies, plants flourish and flowers give off their fragrance; when the heart is glad, worries fade away. When all things meet the spring, even what has withered can grow again. Likewise, one who cultivates the Dao and seeks fame and gain may follow the natural course and gradually fulfill their wishes.

Sixth Hour of Chen: Harmony and Prosperity, Highest Fortune

Seventh Hour of Chen: Sorrow First, Joy Later, Moderate Fortune

Violent winds and towering waves arise without warning, leaving a lone boat adrift far from shore and its occupant frightened and unsettled. Fortunately, the spirits offer their protection, and danger is averted. The heart gradually grows calm, but only when someone later steps in to help will matters truly be brought to safety.

Eighth at the Chen Hour: Uneasy Whether Advancing or Retreating, Very Inauspicious

Trivial matters unsettle the mind, and relationships with others go wrong at every turn. You want to bring the things in your heart to fruition, but neither advancing nor retreating goes smoothly.

Anything, great or small, can cause distress once you become attached to it. You seek progress and a clear path forward, yet nothing comes of it, and your resolve is weakened. A troubled mind brings unease; rushing back and forth without gaining anything brings frustration.

Ninth at the Chen Hour: Retreat to Preserve What You Have, Auspicious but Ordinary

The moon sinks in the west, the fifth watch draws to a close, and someone at home shuts the door alone. However long you wander, little progress is likely. Return to where you began and keep your home in order.

Only when the moon sinks in the west do you realize that night is nearly over. Sitting alone with the door shut, you feel bored and know that little can be accomplished for now. Gather your thoughts and quiet your worries. Do not involve yourself in outside affairs; hold to the Dao, tend to body and mind, and let your heart grow calm, undisturbed by distractions.

Tenth at the Chen Hour: Exceptionally Auspicious, Most Auspicious

Autumn colors fill the view across Dongting Lake, and the bright moon shines over the rippling water. This is the perfect time to set out in a small boat and seek the great vessel that leads to the immortal realm of Penglai.

On an autumn night at Dongting, moonlight stretches across the vast lake, its surface glimmering with ripples. At Penglai, bright spring sunshine warms heaven and earth. The small boat travels smoothly over calm waters. Once the Great Elixir has been successfully cultivated, one may ascend as a spirit, become an immortal, and meet the immortals.

Eleventh at the Chen Hour: Things Go Awry, Ordinary

Fallen leaves carpet the courtyard, and the west wind sweeps past the dwelling in the night. The recluse is dispirited; how can weariness and hardship so easily fade?

Exhausted in spirit and thwarted in resolve, you see the west wind stir all things and feel a sense of sorrow. Affairs go poorly and plans are obstructed, like leaves falling from their branches, prompting a sigh. You want to give up but cannot let go: it is as though you hold a chicken but can only admire it as food. You want to obtain something but cannot, and can only imagine turning the goose you see into soup.

Hour of Chen, Number Twelve: What You Seek Remains Unfulfilled, Very Inauspicious Lot

The moon and stars have only just begun to glimmer; the situation is not yet clear. Fallen leaves by the railing stir feelings of sorrow. You want to give up, yet cannot let go; you want to pursue something, yet cannot obtain it. It is like looking at a chicken for comfort, or gazing at geese and imagining a pot of soup.

Hour of Chen, Number Twelve: What You Seek Remains Unfulfilled, Very Inauspicious Lot

The new moon has just risen, and its full shape is not yet visible. Your wishes have not been fulfilled, and for now there are many setbacks and difficulties. An old friend hurries away, leaving you sorrowful; affairs become tangled and vexing, and progress is obstructed.

Hour of Chen, Number Thirteen: Stagnation Begins to Ease, Very Auspicious Lot

Withered trees meet spring again; flowers and grasses flourish, and the scene brightens. You and I celebrate and admire it together, and the days ahead will bring further progress.

Trees take root and put forth abundant leaves and branches when spring winds arrive. A person of the Dao can gain renown and rise in rank when fortune turns favorable. Though long obstructed in the past, by cultivating De anew now, you may look forward to a time of prosperity and peace, sharing the beautiful blossoms with everyone.

Hour of Chen, Number Fourteen: Calamity Recedes and Illness Heals, Moderately Auspicious Lot

Long confinement, illness, and heavy sorrow make it seem as though evil spirits have you in their grip. Then, suddenly, a good medicine appears: your illness eases and you gradually recover. With the help of a person of great ability, you can escape your predicament, distinguish yourself, and achieve success.

Hour of Chen, Number Fifteen: Danger Passes, but Do Not Act Rashly, Very Inauspicious Lot

Alone on the road at night, the sky darkens and the moon has already set. You can only grieve over your loneliness and desolation; when you look back, there is nothing to rely on.

A solitary traveler sets out into the night, with a dark road ahead. When someone in difficult circumstances tries to get things done, their plans are easily derailed. Going forward now may bring unforeseen trouble; turning back in time and holding your position is more likely to keep you safe.

Hour of Chen, Number Sixteen: A Smooth Road Ahead and Progress in Your Endeavors, Very Auspicious Lot

Your writing turns out just as you hoped. On your return, you receive a reward and are granted a “fei robe” (as written in the original; its precise meaning is unclear). Your reputation and honors grow ever more prominent, and good fortune and official stipends follow.

In the civil service examination halls, gaining distinction as one hopes is as easy as bending down to pick up a blade of grass. Rising to a high position at court and receiving favor and honor is as illustrious as looking up at the sun. If one’s virtue is deep, later generations can inherit good fortune and prosperity, surpass ordinary people, and enjoy honor. With good fortune and prosperity at their side, the family will also flourish and rise to prominence.

Chen Hour, Lot Seventeen: Inner and Outer Turmoil, Most Inauspicious

Sitting alone and silent in an empty hall, you are weighed down by worry and cannot find relief. Then troubles involving people and spirits arise, and the household is thrown into confusion and unrest.

The household is unsettled because the family is at odds; the world outside is unsettled because dealings with others are going poorly. Your spirits are low, as though people and spirits alike were sighing in resentment. Grievance and distress continue without end, and affairs are beset by turmoil: hardship is plentiful, while joy is scarce.

Chen Hour, Lot Eighteen: Peace and Blessings Gather, Most Auspicious

At dawn, burn incense before the stove and pray to Heaven for peace and good health. Turn sincerely toward the Great Dao, and blessings and joy will naturally endure.

Burn incense and pray at dawn for peace in the household. If you are honest by day and night, you will benefit for a long time. Do one good deed, and the hundred spirits will lend their aid, gathering blessings and auspiciousness. If you can put an end to harmful conduct, many calamities can be averted and your faults may be forgiven.

Chen Hour, Lot Nineteen: Distant Ambitions, Delayed Affairs, Neither Auspicious Nor Inauspicious

A boat laden with ten thousand bushels has already set out, yet its waterway remains hemmed in by waves and obstacles. Though your heart holds an ambition spanning a thousand miles, for now you cannot even push forward with a single pole stroke.

The boat is stranded on a shoal: it can neither be rowed onward nor need you panic. When worry and obstacles impede an undertaking, it cannot move forward or be cleared for the time being. Your ambitions are far-reaching, yet even a small step is blocked. Though you turn over countless plans in your mind, you have no way to put them into practice or make them bear fruit.

Chen Hour, Lot Twenty: Sincerity and Circumstances at Odds, Most Inauspicious

The young and inexperienced do not yet understand what matters in a situation. How could the dim-witted and ignorant shoulder great responsibility? For now, hold fast to whatever resolve remains; in the end, you may reach old age empty-handed.

The young and unknowing lack the wisdom to recognize outstanding talent. The foolish and narrow-minded have too little capacity to shoulder great responsibilities. If an opportunity is missed, achievements will suffer and one’s reputation will decline; even in old age, it may be difficult to accomplish anything.

People whose minds remain clouded since childhood lack the wisdom and understanding to recognize extraordinary talent. Those who are foolish and shallow also lack the breadth of character to shoulder great responsibilities. Those who miss their opportunities see their achievements falter and their reputations decline, accomplishing nothing even in old age. Those who are excessively fixated act clumsily and make plans that go awry. What use is it to wear a bewildered expression?

Twenty-First at the Hour of Chen: Hearing Troubling News Need Not Cause Worry; Fortune Is Average

Someone leans against the western tower. In late autumn, a flute sounds distant and serene. For now, it is best simply to gaze alone; there is no need to keep worrying.

When sorrow weighs on the heart, hearing the flute brings sadness; when events stir concern, hearing geese call brings fresh misgivings. Let go of grief and melancholy, and sorrow may turn to joy. Calm the spirit, and worry may give way to good fortune.

Twenty-Second at the Hour of Chen: Hearing Good News Does Not Necessarily Bring Joy; Fortune Is Average

A goose brings a message, but it is empty news. What you hear is only a rumor, with nothing certain behind it. As for matters of sorrow or joy, take them with a smile for now; there is no need to trust such hearsay.

If the good news you hear proves false, where is the joy in it? What appears before your eyes may be no more than an illusory flower, without any real basis. Boast of a fine reputation to no avail, while achieving nothing; in the end, only regret and shame remain, leaving a lingering sense of loss.

Twenty-Third at the Hour of Chen: Blessings Arrive and Calamities Disperse; Fortune Is Excellent

De helps bring about a favorable union, and a heavenly book—a document or auspicious sign bestowed from above—arrives at the jeweled pavilion, a splendid residence. Many calamities and worries will be swept away, leaving no fault behind.

Those who bring the Three Calamities and Eight Hardships upon themselves will find it difficult to save themselves. Those who understand the proper course revealed by the Four Pillars and Five Phases—the basis for calculating destiny in traditional Chinese astrology—are less likely to fall into hardship. Once calamity is dispelled, good fortune naturally follows, like the red sun shining as snow and ice melt. Once faults vanish, blessings arise as swiftly as a fierce wind scattering leaves.

Twenty-Fourth at the Hour of Chen: Wait for the Right Moment; Joy Will Come in Time; Fortune Is Average

Jade lies hidden in the Kunlun Mountains, its radiance reaching straight toward the cold Northern Dipper. If it meets a master craftsman skilled at recognizing jade, it can be shaped into a precious vessel and passed down through the world.

A person of De is like jade hidden in stone. When fate runs smoothly, they are like an immortal who has shed the mortal body. De, benevolence, and righteousness are a person’s treasures, enabling them to become a sage; gold, jade, and pearls are worldly treasures that bring wealth and status.

Twenty-Fifth at the Hour of Chen: Harmony First, Then Separation; Fortune Is Very Poor

The jeweled brazier grows cold, the wine vessel is empty, and the pleasure has faded. All the laughter and conversation from before now seem, in retrospect, like a dream.

As the incense coils burn down and the smoke disperses, we realize that the lovely hours have already come to an end. The banquet is over and the wine jars are empty; the joy of gathering turns in an instant to loneliness. All that laughter and cheer seems like a dream. When companions part, it is only natural to feel sorrowful. The mandarin-duck mirror is put away in two pieces, like a broken zither string that may never be mended; even the melodious music of the immortals gradually fades into the distance.

Chen Hour, Twenty-Six: Many obstacles arise; fortune is very poor

One troubling matter follows another. Far into the distance, the broad, clear river stretches away. The lone boat is slow to return, and waiting for news only brings more worry.

The situation before you is tangled and complicated, like snarled thread that cannot be sorted out. Your heart is restless and uneasy, as though consumed by flames. The river is vast, but the returning boat does not appear; gazing as far as the eye can see leaves you utterly weary in mind and spirit. What you are concerned about makes little progress, doubts multiply, and your sorrow is hard to dispel.

Chen Hour, Twenty-Seven: Take care not to speak amiss; fortune is average

Even lighthearted conversation can lead to trouble. A poorly timed remark may draw you into a dispute. Without a good friend to warn you, you might well be caught up in distress.

Breaking a taboo can easily lead to conflict over words, so speak with care. Sarcasm, gossip, and arguments over who is right may also bring trouble; therefore, be cautious in what you say. Think carefully before every word, and examine every action closely.

Chen Hour, Twenty-Eight: Be cautious and keep yourself in check; do not entrust matters to others; fortune is average

Act with integrity, and be especially cautious in how you conduct yourself, whether advancing or retreating. If you entrust matters to someone else, complications may arise later.

Keep your distance from crooked people of low character and draw near to upright gentlemen, fragrant as orchids. Let your words and conduct remain proper: put away harshness and neglect, and stand tall and flourishing like a pine. Take your own affairs seriously; do not entrust them to unsuitable people. Keep yourself in check and do not act rashly.

Chen Hour, Twenty-Nine: Act when the time is right; there is cause for joy; fortune is excellent

Flowers bloom all around you, and the garden of the immortals is wondrously beautiful. A festive occasion is at hand, so laugh and drink your fill.

All kinds of plants flourish only when spring arrives. Likewise, people of talent and ability must wait for the right moment before they can put their gifts to use and find success. A gifted young shoot sprouts when it receives the breath of spring; a gentleman, too, can rise to prominence when a good opportunity comes.

Chen Hour, Thirty: Dispel doubts and let go of worry; fortune is average

Whether to advance or withdraw depends on the changes at hand; the clear-sighted can discern their deeper meaning. Speak openly about what is on your mind. Once a decision is made, matters will naturally become clear.

Knowing when to press forward and when to hold back, and when to protect yourself, is a sign of foresight. Seeing clearly what is at stake, along with honor and disgrace, makes regret less likely. Doubts in your heart may suddenly clear when you meet a trusted friend. Even matters that are secret and hard to understand may be clarified with the help of a benefactor.

First Si-hour fortune: Resolving resentment and turning kindness into affection, moderate fortune

Keep your thoughts focused on what concerns you, and you will happen to meet that person. In the past, the two of you faced one another with stiff reserve and resentment in your hearts; now there is hope that this will give way to harmony and joy.

Use kindness to dissolve resentment, like a lotus blooming amid a blazing fire. To let resentment give rise to enmity is like snow gathering on ice in the cold: the more it accumulates, the deeper it grows. Do not delay in showing kindness; when it is generous, resentment will naturally fade. Nor should enmity be allowed to deepen. If you make a sincere effort to resolve it, the resentment will melt away.

Second Si-hour fortune: A wish is likely to come true, moderate fortune

Though mountains and passes may lie between you for a thousand miles, your feelings may be hard to convey. But if a suitable boat and opportunity suddenly appear, there is no need to remain worried and troubled.

With a favorable wind, even a thousand-mile journey by boat is no longer difficult. When things go smoothly and feelings are shared, all kinds of help will follow. Your wish is likely to come true, and your worries will fade. Good news or a gift you have long awaited will arrive; the obstacles in your heart will gradually clear, and your plans have a good chance of succeeding.

Third Si-hour fortune: Wait for the right moment; things will go smoothly later, moderate fortune

A new crescent moon rises faintly. The clouds are pale, and moonlight falls across the courtyard curtains. Though things are not yet going entirely smoothly, fulfillment can ultimately be expected.

All things change and take their turn in their proper season. The rise and decline of human fortunes, too, are inevitably shaped by timing. The moon waxes and wanes; by the fifteenth day, it shines full and bright. When ordinary people meet the right time and opportunity, they too can find a path to success, recognition, and achievement.

Fourth Si-hour fortune: Realize the Great Dao and attain the true realm, supreme fortune

The Book of the Great Hidden Ones of the Golden Elixir and the Jade Canon descend from the Celestial Pivot. Today, a secret formula is bestowed, allowing a mortal body to shed its former form and enter a transcendent realm. Here, “Golden Elixir” is a term from Daoist Neidan practice, while the “Celestial Pivot” refers to the pivot point in the heavens. “Shedding the womb” describes the state of transformation in body and mind through cultivation, leaving behind the ordinary world.

The Great Canon of the Golden Elixir contains writings on the hidden methods of the Mysterious Truth, as well as ways to cultivate one’s vitality, spirit, and body. Those who grasp its principles can experience the wonders kept secret from the uninitiated and attain feathered transformation and ascent to the heavens. Those who understand its meaning, through inquiry and reflection and by aligning themselves with the Dao, can undergo a complete transformation.

Fifth Divination Lot of the Si Hour: Worry first, joy later; fortunes are average.

The fields have suffered a long drought, and the crops are in distress. Suddenly, sweet rain falls, saving the crops and easing the famine.

Those who seek scholarly honors and wealth must first endure hardship. Farmers hoping for a bountiful autumn harvest must wait before they see the results. As conditions turn favorable, sweet rain nourishes the land and withered seedlings revive. When affairs among people become harmonious, a good name spreads, and one’s reputation and influence are restored.

Sixth Divination Lot of the Si Hour: Hardship and obstacles arise together; fortunes are at their lowest.

Dark clouds cover the moon, and its light sinks away. A solitary traveler keeps watch alone in an empty courtyard. Countless thoughts churn within, but no one understands this sorrow.

Caught in danger, you are anxious and unsettled, and matters make no progress. When dark clouds hide the moon, its light cannot shine through; when wind stirs the water, the waves cannot be still. Nothing goes smoothly, and worry knots in the heart, leaving only sighs.

Seventh Divination Lot of the Si Hour: Joy arrives suddenly; fortunes are very auspicious.

A towering terrace makes the heart flutter, as you gaze at the clouds and rainbow with delight. Two immortal cranes fly in from beyond the heavens, bringing a precious opportunity.

Breaking free from confinement and obstruction is like recovering at last from a serious illness. When wishes are fulfilled, it is like climbing a terrace on a spring day to enjoy the view. The cranes cry out and beat their wings as they soar skyward; you, too, escape hardship and can live in ease and freedom.

Eighth Divination Lot of the Si Hour: There is no need to force matters; success will come, and fortunes are very auspicious.

Sweet rain falls on barren fields, and the fine, spirited seedlings grow lush and fresh. A bountiful autumn harvest will come in time; simply wait for the right moment. The festive season, too, will pass in peace and good fortune.

When the fields stretch across ten thousand acres and sweet rain falls, the seedlings flourish. If people follow the seasons, their lives and work can go smoothly, and their reputations and salaries can rise. A virtuous person takes delight in seeing a task succeed; when a plan is fair and sound, those below will support it.

Si Hour, Ninth Lot: Much effort, little success; the lowest lot

Layer upon layer of clouds hides the sky, and the imperial decree cannot be heard. Even with a respectful and sincere heart, good news still does not come.

Dark clouds gather, but no rain falls, leaving people to hope in vain. They wait for the decree to arrive, only to be left with worry and sighs. Diligence and respect turn into weariness, and success remains hard to achieve. The mind stays troubled, yet no news ever comes; the plans are difficult to fulfill.

Si Hour, Tenth Lot: Wishes fulfilled; the highest lot

Sit and wait for the moon to rise. The clouds and mist disperse, and the moon appears full. Set out wine and enjoy the lovely scene together, casting every worry aside.

The clouds clear and the sky brightens; the moon appears, and all between Heaven and Earth is serene. Calamities fade, illness passes, and good fortune arrives. Plans come to fruition. Set out a feast and enjoy a joyful moment; let go of worry, and all goes smoothly, bringing peace of mind.

Si Hour: The clouds disperse and the moon is full; raise your cups together and set every worry aside.

The clouds clear and the sky brightens; the moon appears, and all between Heaven and Earth is serene. Calamities fade, illness passes, and good fortune arrives. Plans come to fruition. Set out a feast and enjoy a joyful moment; let go of worry, and all goes smoothly, bringing peace of mind.

Si Hour, Eleventh Lot: Help from others; an unobstructed road ahead; the highest lot

The Yangtze stretches for a thousand miles, its waters calm and its surface barely rippling. It is just the right time to set out in a small boat; every plan will go as hoped.

Those who have attained the Dao naturally find it easy to receive help: someone supports them on the left, and someone raises them up on the right. Those who meet the right moment and circumstances need not worry about achieving success. Above, they meet with recognition; below, they receive cooperation. When the wind is calm, the water is smooth and the boat travels safely. When intentions align, matters go well and the heart is joyful.

Si Hour, Twelfth Lot: Feelings at odds; matters go against you; the lowest lot

Ice and charcoal cannot share the same furnace, for their natures are opposed. Consider the matter carefully, and do not readily discuss your private concerns with others.

Water and fire cannot coexist, for their natures are entirely different. The wise and the foolish also find it difficult to get along, because their understanding and judgment differ. When people with great differences are forced to live together, their feelings will inevitably be at odds. When crookedness and righteousness stand side by side, their plans are bound to conflict.

Si Hour Thirteen: A Noble Person Offers Guidance — Auspicious

Water and fire cannot dwell together because their natures are opposed. The wise and the foolish also find it hard to live together because their understanding differs. When people of unlike natures live together, their feelings inevitably clash; when what is crooked and what is upright coexist, their plans inevitably diverge.

Heaven sends down good fortune, and official documents proceed smoothly. Everyone can have their wishes fulfilled. A noble person in vermilion robes comes to offer guidance, while people in positions of authority and important office support one another.

The prospects for official documents are strong, as though the Star of Heavenly Emolument were arriving on clouds. There is no need to doubt one’s plans: a noble person in vermilion robes shows the way, and a favorable wind lends its aid. Those who hold power will gladly encounter opportunities, gaining promotion and rank. Those in important posts will also receive steady support, and their reputations and stipends will grow.

Si Hour Fourteen: Minor Harm, No Injury — Middling

Ghosts laugh in secret, unaware that someone is secretly watching. Though no serious harm will result, beware of even small mistakes.

The word “ghost” can refer both to harmful people, called “ghost people,” and to uncanny beings that cause disturbances, called “ghost entities.” Ghost people harm others out of jealousy; ghost entities conjure strange apparitions and cause mischief. Ghost entities can be driven away through the Orthodox Method of the Celestial Heart. But it is hard to find a reliable way to dispel the malice of ghost people, or to stop them completely.

Si Hour Fifteen: Keep to the Course and Avoid Harm — Middling

When wealth and profit are about to come within reach, disputes may arise in dealings among people. Yielding modestly to the course of events allows everyone to live in harmony, bringing fewer worries and dangers in the end.

Discord between fathers and sons or among brothers often begins over property. Friends and peers, too, often fall out over competing interests. Those who crave profit find it increasingly insufficient, and may even abandon what is right and damage their benevolence. Those willing to yield can remain content and secure, and earn a good reputation.

Si Hour Sixteen: Gradually Nearing the Goal — Middling

The scene begins to brighten, and worries naturally fade. Advance step by step, and you will gradually draw near the palace halls of the court.

The gloom has lifted, and the view is growing clear. Worries disperse, and life gradually settles. Each step forward offers a chance to go farther, so there is no need to fear that matters cannot be brought to completion. If you pursue a plan steadily, you may preserve many blessings; there is no need to fear that your wishes will go unfulfilled.

Si Hour Seventeen: Honor the True and Increase Good Fortune — Auspicious

Burning the precious talismans from the alchemical furnace—talismanic registers burned during Daoist prayers—and respectfully praying to the honored deity can help you accumulate pure karmic connections and blessings. So long as your intention is focused, your Daoist mind will naturally remain steady.

Those who believe in the true Dao can receive its power, and difficulties will gradually dissolve. Those who believe in the Buddhist Dharma can receive the Buddha’s compassion, and disasters can be averted. Burn the talismans from the alchemical furnace and pray silently with devotion; you may then receive the luminous protection of far-reaching blessings and a response in stillness.

The eighteenth lot for the Hour of the Snake (9–11 a.m.): Yin; slight unease; very inauspicious.

Ghostly beings secretly entangle and trouble you. Burn the talismans from the alchemical furnace and pray silently with devotion; you may then receive the luminous protection of far-reaching blessings and a response in stillness.

The eighteenth lot for the Hour of the Snake: Yin; slight unease; very inauspicious.

Ghostly beings secretly entangle and trouble you; the young members of the household are also in danger. Keep a kind heart and do good deeds to avert misfortune, and things will gradually settle.

A family’s difficulties may stem from a year of ill fortune and calamities arriving one after another, or from disturbances by ghostly beings. These troubles often arise when one’s intentions stray from the right path and one’s conduct is improper. Set your thoughts straight and do what ought to be done, and the young members of the household will be safe. Steady your resolve and correct your faults, and the disasters will gradually subside.

The nineteenth lot for the Hour of the Snake: matters are unlikely to go as hoped; very inauspicious.

How can a boat travel on dry land? Your wish to return home cannot yet be fulfilled. Like a traveler lost in smoke, you are left with confused thoughts and unsettled worries.

A boat stranded on dry land cannot cross the water; likewise, effort spent in vain will not bring success. Your wish to return home remains unresolved, leaving you to grieve in vain. Until your sincerity is complete, joy is hard to find, and your heart remains heavy and unsettled.

The twentieth lot for the Hour of the Snake: stagnation lifts, hidden matters come to light; extremely auspicious.

A precious sword points straight to the heavens. Evil spirits and ghosts hide themselves, and no further obstacles remain. Authority and virtue will be made manifest.

The sword represents an upright gentleman, its energy rising to the Dipper and Ox constellations. Ghosts represent sinister petty people, lurking in dark places. When authority and law are brought to light, the righteous path can dispel evil. Accomplishments will then flourish, and the hidden difficulties that once held you back will be resolved, bringing blessings in their place.

The twenty-first lot for the Hour of the Snake: disasters recede and blessings arrive; extremely auspicious.

Clear, bright music sounds from the heavens, and an immortal’s carriage arrives in the courtyard. The household shines with splendor, and the whole family receives blessings together.

The sound of clear, delicate immortal music signifies that matters will proceed smoothly and good news will arrive. The immortal’s carriage descending into the courtyard foretells auspicious and successful action. Once matters are settled, minor troubles and worries will disperse like clouds on the horizon: disaster will recede, and good fortune will arrive.

The clear, bright sound of a spirit’s music means that the matter at hand is proceeding smoothly and deserves celebration. When an immortal’s carriage arrives before the courtyard, all undertakings will go well. Matters gradually come together, and the minor troubles before you disperse like passing clouds. Blessings, good fortune, and kindness enter the home, and good fortune arrives with spring.

Twenty-second hour of the Si period: Old matters come to fruition again; highest good

Past affairs find a new turn, and a hesitant frame of mind becomes resolute. Those who have been stuck in hardship will eventually regain their strength and move toward a higher position.

A once hesitant attitude regains its drive, revealing that the tide of fortune has already turned. Old matters being brought to completion again shows that fate has found support. Lost possessions or former sources of support may be recovered. A dark, obstructed situation gives way to greater ease, and one’s brightness returns.

Twenty-third hour of the Si period: Help from others; joyful matters can be accomplished; highest good

Someone eager to return home happens upon a ship with a favorable wind; a troubled, anxious heart, too, will become carefree again. There is no need for further sorrow: old friends will meet again.

Longing to return, one is fortunate to encounter a convenient opportunity that allows things to proceed smoothly; what was once a state of fearful unease suddenly becomes peaceful and content. Hardship will lift, and the road ahead will be clear, like spring spreading across the land. With the help of benefactors, matters will reach a happy conclusion, and joy will spread to one’s hometown.

Twenty-fourth hour of the Si period: Better to hold steady than to act; average fortune

For now, hold to the present situation and do not act rashly; once you take action, things may easily go wrong. The moonlight is cold and the courtyard still. If wind stirs the water, waves will rise.

When people seek change, good or ill fortune and regret may follow; when they give in to unfounded desires, the consequences soon become apparent. This is a time for stillness and patience, like moonlight falling on a quiet courtyard. To pursue change rashly is like wind blowing across water: it can easily stir up turmoil.

Twenty-fifth hour of the Si period: Disputes and turmoil; lowest fortune

The moon sets over an empty mountain, and the quiet, secluded hours have passed. With one’s thoughts fixed on people and affairs a thousand miles away, one becomes entangled in disputes at every turn.

When things go against a person, even if they are clearly in the right, they may instead be accused of wrongdoing. When fortune runs counter, a road that was once open may become blocked. Plans are poorly thought out and strategies ill suited; what one hopes for is far removed from reality. News travels over great distances, but messages fall silent, like the moon setting over an empty mountain.

Twenty-sixth hour of the Si period: With energy, matters can be accomplished; average fortune

The cold ashes have caught fire once again. Do not say the matter can no longer be salvaged. If someone comes to your aid, success is close at hand; this is also a bond formed in the past.

Stars seem to reappear from the cold ashes, foretelling the return of joyful events. Withered trees, too, will sprout again and turn green. Wait until the time is right to act, and your goal will soon be achieved. With help from others, matters can proceed smoothly.

The twenty-seventh lot for the Si hour: Celebration and success, supremely auspicious.

In a moment of triumph, write a new piece and put your talents to work in every direction, helping the people. May clouds and wind gather and answer one another, and may you enjoy peace and good fortune.

When things turn out as hoped, this is called “triumph”; from then on, matters can be brought to completion.

The twenty-seventh lot for the Si hour: Celebration and success, supremely auspicious.

In a moment of triumph, write a new piece and put your talents to work in every direction, helping the people. May clouds and wind gather and answer one another, and may you enjoy peace and good fortune.

When things are brought to a satisfying conclusion, this is called “triumph”; when the mind is free of worries and obstacles, this is called “unimpeded movement.” Cloud-dragons and wind-tigers circling within the Golden Cauldron symbolize the signs of cultivation. The joy of communion with the sages and accord with the true Dao appears above Penghu, the legendary mountain of immortals.

The twenty-eighth lot for the Si hour: Harmony and free passage, supremely auspicious.

Wolves are trapped among the rocky cliffs, so travelers need worry no longer. The road ahead is smooth as a palm, and companions can live together in harmony.

Wolves once blocked the road, but now Heaven has driven them away. Plans and actions begin to proceed smoothly, and the heart is suddenly free of worry and distress. The road ahead is level, so future undertakings can progress without difficulty. When everyone works together, matters can be completed, and both reputation and profit can be gained.

The twenty-ninth lot for the Si hour: Escaping calamity and taking action, supremely auspicious.

The many dangers brought by shadowy people and difficult circumstances will gradually fade, and the household will slowly grow prosperous and bright. Many worries and troubles will vanish like dust scattered by the wind.

The various dangers will gradually melt away like thin ice in the sunlight. Personal calamities, too, will disperse like dead leaves blown off by the wind. A ruined pavilion can be repaired and renewed, and a fallen tree can be replanted and supported.

The thirtieth lot for the Si hour: Blessings and celebration arise together, supremely auspicious.

Luan birds and phoenixes soar and dance, bringing an auspicious fragrance on the breeze. Hold a grand celebratory feast, gather everyone together, and share in blessings and prosperity.

Being safe and free from calamity is called “blessing”; flourishing virtue and thriving endeavors are called “celebration.” The flight of luan birds and phoenixes is an auspicious sign for all under Heaven. As good intentions grow, they bring blessings, wealth, and longevity. Those who accumulate good deeds leave their descendants the blessings that remain; those who accumulate virtue will ultimately receive lasting good fortune.

The first lot for the Wu hour: Hesitation, not…

Peace and tranquility, free from calamity, are blessings; the flourishing of Dao and De is a cause for celebration. The soaring luan and phoenix are regarded as auspicious omens for all under Heaven. As good thoughts grow without cease, blessings, prosperity, and longevity also flourish. Those who accumulate good deeds leave blessings for their descendants; those who accumulate De will, in time, receive lasting blessings.

First Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Hesitation and No Progress, Very Inauspicious

Your heart yearns for the realm of immortals, yet the road to the Three Mountains is distant and obscure. Unable to take even a single step forward, you can only gaze at the slanting sun and grieve in vain.

The Three Isles of Penglai, the legendary realm of immortals, are known only by hearsay and have never been seen with your own eyes. You have already begun pursuing a distant goal, but have not yet succeeded. Your ambition is urgent, but your actions are slow; what you hope to gain is difficult to obtain, while what you stand to lose is easily lost.

Second Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Joyful Gains with Help, Very Auspicious

After crossing several mountain ranges, at last you find peace and fulfillment. Then someone appears to offer guidance and help; having obtained a deer, you return in joy.

You have crossed mountains and rivers and endured many dangers. Calamities recede and blessings arrive, and at last you attain contentment and stability. With another person’s guidance, matters can succeed; when you return with a deer, everyone rejoices. Here, “obtaining a deer” is an auspicious sign of gaining something and returning with it.

Third Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Joy Tinged with Worry, Very Inauspicious

Clouds suddenly gather thickly, and the sky, clear only moments before, turns gloomy and troubling. The stars dim across the heavens, and the moonlight disappears from view.

Even when all is peaceful and secure, you must beware of sudden setbacks. Even amid laughter and joy, take care lest sorrow follow. Clouds suddenly rise, darkening the sky; the stars and moon lose their radiance, and everything before you grows dim.

Fourth Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Bestowed Blessings and Celebration, Very Auspicious

Withered trees seem devoid of life, but when the warm Yang energy arrives, they burst into the vitality of spring. The Lord of the East, the spring deity, exercises the power of transformation and nurture, nourishing all things.

Without the power of the Lord of the East, withered trees cannot sprout. Without the help of a noble benefactor, salaries and official appointments are difficult to secure. Fields yield a good harvest through the grace of rain and dew; plants and trees flourish through the warmth and gentleness of Yang energy.

Fifth Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Transcending the Ordinary and Entering Sainthood, Very Auspicious

Though the road to the azure clouds is long, your name has already been entered in the register of immortals. The secret of long life is yours by nature, and from cinnabar the wondrous seed of sainthood can also be refined.

Those whose Dao practice is profound and whose merit is complete are entered into the registers of the immortals. Those whose cultivation is complete and whose achievements are fulfilled take their place among the offices of Heaven. They obtain the wondrous secret of long life and can restore youth; they also transmit the profound essentials of the alchemical furnace and vessel, along with the methods of cultivation associated with it, and can subdue dragons and tame tigers—that is, master the desires of body and mind through Daoist practice.

The sixth hour of Wu: Worries and joys remain uncertain; middling fortune.

The situation before you is like Heaven and Earth in primordial chaos, dim and unclear. For now, it is impossible to tell whether sorrow or joy lies ahead. Only when Heaven and Earth suddenly open into clarity will you hear the crowing of roosters and the barking of dogs.

While all is dark and chaotic, matters have yet to become clear; neither worry nor joy, advance nor retreat, can be sorted out. Wait a little longer. When the sky clears and the earth brightens, and the worries in your heart have dispersed, you will hear roosters crow and dogs bark—that is, the signs of right and wrong, and of what is just and unjust, will begin to appear.

The seventh hour of Wu: Keep still and await good fortune; middling fortune.

The Great Dao calls for stillness and depth. Hold fast to your original mind and do not make reckless demands. Let the world outside be noisy and unsettled; devote yourself single-mindedly to cultivation.

Those who follow the Dao hope for a calm heart and a quiet spirit, while those who chase worldly glamour are often beset by scattered desires and a restless mind. Whether you enjoy a full span of life depends on steadfast cultivation and patient waiting. Whether your circumstances are difficult or favorable, simply keep your conduct upright and remain true to the right path.

The eighth hour of Wu: Let worries fade and withdraw from affairs; middling fortune.

Do not bring up affairs that have already been set aside, and for now curb your desire to press ahead. Where rumors and thoughts are in disarray, right and wrong cannot take root.

Worries are like bubbles on the surface of water: they cannot last. Joys are like shadows one tries to catch in the sky: they are difficult to make real. Whatever you plan or do may only wear out your mind and spirit. Let go of both worry and joy, and you can avoid calamity and error.

The ninth hour of Wu: Empty and unreal; very poor fortune.

A spring stream flows slowly, while petals cover a fragrant sandbank. What you are doing is no more than a dream of spring blossoms, and matters are slow to reach completion.

Elm seeds cannot relieve hunger, and a painted cake cannot satisfy it. Do not readily believe rumors, and do not mistake an empty reputation for reality. Fallen blossoms catch the eye, then are swept away in an instant; when a spring dream ends, there is nothing worth longing for.

Tenth Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Wait for the Right Moment and Hope Will Come, a Moderately Inauspicious Lot

The precious cauldron remains buried beneath the earth. Though your talents are great, for now you cannot put them to use. When Dragon and Tiger meet and circumstances change, you will gain a position and gradually rise in rank.

Before your undertaking succeeds, it is like gold and jade submerged in mud and sand. Until the right moment arrives, even outstanding intelligence cannot ensure smooth progress. When fortune aligns and circumstances shift, the way will open before you, and your position and stipend may soon rise.

Eleventh Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Illness Recedes and the Body Recovers, a Most Auspicious Lot

Your illness has not yet healed, but a good physician is close at hand. Do not worry too much; you will soon be safe and well.

Even someone gravely ill may recover when they meet a good physician; someone troubled by confusion may suddenly understand when guided. As misfortune recedes, the illness will soon improve. When your fortune turns favorable, blessings will follow.

Twelfth Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Success Is Ultimately in Sight, a Most Auspicious Lot

A deer stands before the mountain, and newly opened flowers fill the eye with beauty. Though a few obstacles remain along the way, you will at last be able to relax, lift your head, and set your worries aside.

Those who pursue deer have crossed rough and dangerous paths; those who admire flowers have endured frost and bitter cold. Even if an undertaking is extremely difficult at first, it can still succeed in the end as hoped. After hardship, you may find things going your way and rejoice with an open heart.

Thirteenth Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Receive Support and Make Gains, a Moderately Fortunate Lot

Protection does not come through human strength alone. True support comes from the Most Genuine—the Daoist way of truth and purity. A boat on the verge of capsizing is able to cross the waters safely.

A great hall about to collapse requires immense strength to set upright; a sinking boat on the verge of overturning needs divine aid to be saved. To pass through danger is to see crisis turn to safety; to reach the far shore is to receive help in a time of peril.

Fourteenth Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Documents Go Smoothly and All Is Well, a Most Auspicious Lot

A vermilion edict arrives from a thousand miles away, a gift of grace from the Precious Pivot—the sacred authority and workings of the Dao. What you hope for will satisfy you, and your office and stipend will support one another.

A vermilion edict arrives from afar, bringing favor and honor. The Precious Pivot bestows a document that grants you high rank and distinction. If you seek a document, it will work in your favor; if you seek office and a stipend, people of rank and honor will help you.

Fifteenth Divination at the Hour of the Horse: First Obstructed, Then Things Turn Favorable, a Most Auspicious Lot

After traveling through several stretches of mountain road, you can ultimately attain high standing and honor. If you seek an official document, it will carry weight, and your writing can be honed to achieve distinction. If you seek a position and stipend, you can gain honor and respect, receive help from influential people, and see matters proceed smoothly.

Hour of the Horse, Fifteen: Obstacles at First, Then Peace and Stability; Supreme Auspicious Lot

After crossing many mountain paths, the clouds and mist disperse, and heaven and earth seem open and expansive. You need not exert yourself too much to reach the Mysterious Pass (an important threshold in cultivation or in handling affairs) with ease.

Though you have climbed mountains and crossed rivers, enduring hardship and obstruction, the clouds have now parted and the mist lifted. A favorable moment for progress has arrived. Your goal is already near, so do not shrink back from further effort. Your plans can move forward without excessive exertion.

Hour of the Horse, Sixteen: Matters Will Not Last; Most Inauspicious Lot

What can come of something withered and decayed? Empty promises lead only, in the end, to an old age spent in retreat. The setting sun still glows, but its light may not last much longer.

Decayed wood cannot become a roof beam, and careless promises cannot be trusted. Though colorful clouds and rainbows are beautiful, they cannot be enjoyed for long. A broken stalk in the wind and duckweed drifting on the water come together only briefly; in the end, they will part.

Hour of the Horse, Seventeen: Keep Still and Do Not Act; Neutral Lot

Autumn arrives in the human world. The courtyard lies open and empty, and the moonlight rests at ease. Incense smoke rises quietly from the alchemical furnace (a vessel used for making elixirs), while all affairs remain apart from you.

When the mind is calm and the emotions at ease, the light of wisdom becomes clear and complete. When thoughts grow restless, the spirit becomes weary and troubles flare. Settle the heart’s fire, and the alchemical furnace will be quiet and undisturbed, leaving misfortune little chance to intrude. When the clouds and mist that obscure the mind disperse, it becomes clear and serene like the moon at night, and no matter can disturb the heart.

Hour of the Horse, Eighteen: Turmoil Has Not Yet Subsided; Most Inauspicious Lot

Entangled in right and wrong, you often bring the turmoil of the crowd upon yourself. You seek the principle of stillness, yet remain constrained by hidden mechanisms and calculating thoughts.

Misfortune often arises from inner turmoil; when the mind is unsettled, there can be no peace. Disputes often begin with noisy contention, and arguments readily breed resentment. If you can put away your calculating thoughts and stop creating enmity with others, resentment and hostility will gradually fade. Face grievances and accusations with a quiet, Wuwei (non-action) mind, and matters may have the chance to resolve themselves.

Hour of the Horse, Nineteen: What You Worry About Will Cause No Great Harm; Neutral Lot

A sick tiger lies beside the stream, while those who came before you each speculate and wait to see what happens. It cannot drive you into a desperate situation, so why give way to needless suspicion and fear?

A malicious person is like a fierce tiger blocking the road; you must take care to avoid them. In your conduct, be as cautious as someone walking on ice. Handle matters with respect and care.

Nineteenth Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Worry Without Harm, Moderately Auspicious

A sick tiger crouches by a stream. Passersby will naturally stay alert and will not be easily harmed by it. Since it cannot cause any real calamity, why give in to needless suspicions?

People with ill intent are like fierce tigers blocking the road; one must be on guard. One must also act with care, as if walking across ice. Treat others respectfully and handle matters with gravity, and calamities will be less likely to occur. Hold fast to the righteous path, and where could trouble come from?

Twentieth Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Attain the Dao and Fulfill One’s Union, Supreme Auspiciousness

Spring is drawing to a close at Dongting Lake, and immortal companions gather among the clouds. One should seek the elixir of longevity and take the Great Returning Elixir, a Daoist elixir refined and cultivated to nourish the body, living freely and at ease.

In the immortal realm, blue-green mountain cliffs and grotto dwellings shine beneath the moonlit sky, with clear, fresh breezes. The Purple Palace and Penghu, legendary Daoist paradises, are filled with springtime everywhere. Once cultivation of the Dao succeeds, one may live long and see far, enjoy the Peaches of Immortality, and, having completed one’s work, rejoice in carefree ease and ascend to the immortal realm.

Twenty-first Divination at the Hour of the Horse: The Household Is in Turmoil, Extremely Inauspicious

When fair weather comes, the ghosts lurking in the darkness will retreat, but for now the household is shrouded in gloom and unrest. For twenty-one days, remain cautious and keep to your own course; after that, the difficult and obstructed circumstances will gradually ease.

“Secretly harboring malice” means concealing the desire to harm others. “Hidden” means obscure and unclear; “ghosts” refers to evil spirits causing disturbances. When the household is in turmoil, respond calmly and take steps to ward off misfortune. If petty people quarrel and make a commotion, remain cautious, keep to yourself, and step aside in time.

Twenty-second Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Receive Kindness and Feel Gratitude, Supreme Auspiciousness

A person who has attained the Dao begins to receive support; this is an opportunity to transcend the ordinary and become a sage. One should keep a heartfelt sense of gratitude, for such kindness can provide support on the path ahead.

Being promoted by another person is called “kindness,” and is a great favor. Receiving money and official emoluments from another is called “beneficence,” and is also a profound favor. Keep this kindness in your heart, remain grateful, and never forget it; you will naturally receive the help of the gods.

Twenty-third Divination at the Hour of the Horse: Joy Amid Worry, Supreme Auspiciousness

As thunder roars and lightning flashes, evil spirits have already retreated in secret. Fortunately, the wind and clouds have cleared, the sky stretches wide, and the bright moon shines overhead.

Thunder and lightning do not punish those who possess De, and white jade and gold are not bestowed on those who have earned nothing. Evil spirits and the dark obstacles of demonic forces disperse; the Qi of cultivation becomes calm and unobstructed. Wind and clouds part, the stars and moon shine brightly, and Heaven and Earth grow clear and tranquil.

Twenty-Fourth Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Slander and Envy Bring Harm — Most Inauspicious

Smooth words often conceal ulterior motives. To trust them and be swayed by them will surely bring harm. Someone may be hiding a sharp blade; be sure to stay on guard.

Deceitful people flatter you to your face and praise you in every way, yet slander and malign you behind your back. Their false accusations and schemes come swiftly, as quick as knives and as sharp as swords. They are more poisonous than bees or ginger and more ferocious than tigers and wolves.

Twenty-Fifth Lot at the Hour of the Horse: When the Dao Aligns, Matters Succeed — Most Auspicious

A fine horse gallops like the wind: this is an excellent moment to rise into the clouds. When opportunity and planning come together so well, how could success remain long delayed?

The road ahead is open. Ride the fine horse forward at full gallop and rise smoothly onto the path to the clouds. When plans meet the right opportunity, your advice will be heard and your proposals accepted. Good fortune arrives, your mind is quick, matters proceed smoothly, and you can achieve renown.

Twenty-Sixth Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Guard Your Words and Beware of Slander — Most Inauspicious

Blazing fire can destroy pearls and jade; slander can also harm the good. If you cannot calm your anger, you will nearly bring danger and injury upon yourself.

Though pearls and jade are beautiful, they may still have tiny flaws; even good people cannot always escape slander. To dispel defamation, keep yourself upright and cultivate your character. To resolve anger and correct your failings, the key is to step back, reflect, and set your mistakes right.

Twenty-Seventh Lot at the Hour of the Horse: Endeavors Come to Nothing — Most Inauspicious

Standing alone in the slanting sunlight, a worn-out cicada cries softly into the evening wind. The courtyard lies steeped in autumn desolation, and even the night watch’s water clock seems to have fallen silent.

The weary cicada and setting sun make the scene feel bleak; fallen leaves and the west wind deepen autumn’s loneliness. The night is long and sleep will not come, as though one dream were unfolding inside another; even sleep brings no peace. Thoughts run wild, sorrow gathers, and doubts are hard to resolve.

The Twenty-Eighth Sign at the Hour of the Horse: Carved and Polished into a Fine Vessel, Supreme Auspiciousness

Like a piece of jade carved and polished until it becomes a useful vessel, this sign says that although you have faced hardship in the past, like a dragon leaping through the Dragon Gate and battered by waves, you are now finding success and ease. Both your hard work and your moments of rest are gradually bearing fruit.

Success in the literary examinations is the reward for years of diligent study and ambition. It is like ascending to the Lunar Palace and plucking a branch of cassia: your studies have finally come to fruition. Press forward with determination, leap through the Dragon Gate, and you can surpass others and make your name known far and wide.

The Twenty-Ninth Sign at the Hour of the Horse: Finding Support, Supreme Auspiciousness

You have long held a wish in your heart, yet worry that things are not fully in order. Suddenly, someone steps in to help, offering support and guidance so that you can rise steadily, step by step.

This sign says that through diligence and persistence, you can make a name for yourself and establish De (Virtue). Your prospects are smooth and promising, and the harvest will be abundant. If a person of virtue and standing assists you, it will be like the wind sweeping away what obscures the sky and the clouds parting to reveal the sun. If someone of high rank and distinction takes you under their wing, you will also find it easier to put your abilities to use.

The Thirtieth Sign at the Hour of the Horse: Fame and Fortune Unattained, Extreme Inauspiciousness

Wealth scatters as if swept away by the wind, while your reputation and standing are veiled by clouds and mist. Neither the pursuit of fame nor that of fortune is likely to go as you hope; in the end, all you can do is turn back and close the door of your thatched hut.

Your possessions are lost, as if sinking into vast, turbulent waters; your rank and reputation come to nothing, as though blocked by clouds filling the sky. Looking back, you have gained no profit and achieved no distinction. Closing the door symbolizes a road blocked and matters unable to move forward.

The First Sign at the Hour of the Goat: Peace and Prosperity for the Household, Supreme Auspiciousness

Of the Five Blessings, longevity is the most precious. As the years pass, blessings and good fortune continue to grow. An auspicious harmony gathers in the household, and young and old alike enjoy peace and happiness.

The blessings of health, peace, abundance, and longevity are all present. The household is fortunate and harmonious, with old and young living together in safety. Honor your parents and follow the course of Heaven, and the family’s fortunes will prosper. Revere the true Dao and practice goodness and De; auspicious events will increase and misfortune will recede.

The Second Sign at the Hour of the Goat: Fame and Fortune Fulfilled, Supreme Auspiciousness

Official documents and news arrive urgently; as the flowers bloom, swallows chatter. Matters proceed smoothly in the spring, and happy events follow one after another.

The phrase “deer-drawn carriage” seems to introduce what follows. Based on the text as it stands, this sign is mainly about achieving fame and good fortune, with all kinds of matters likely to go smoothly.

“Deer-drawn documents” symbolize progress in official documents, reputation, and salary; “spring blossoms and the swallows’ song” signify that celebration is on its way. If you ask about news from afar, it will arrive. Plans for matters at hand will also go smoothly.

Third Sign for the Wei Hour: Hidden Divine Aid, Neutral

Even if thieves come, they will leave empty-handed. No matter how much effort they expend, they will find it hard to succeed. Without the gods’ hidden assistance, you might suffer a loss through carelessness.

Those who steal may harbor thoughts of harming others, yet divine protection can also thwart schemes of murder and entrapment. Cultivate yourself with care, and you can avoid misfortune; keep to your proper place, and trouble will naturally not arise.

Fourth Sign for the Wei Hour: Success in One’s Undertakings, Excellent

Many crops have been planted in the high fields, and an abundant harvest awaits in autumn. Happily, timely rain has fallen, and the farming families are grateful to their wise ruler.

With a good harvest, there is no need to worry about drought or floods. With favorable weather, an autumn yield is in sight. The things you plan or put to use will bring joy, like sweet rain nourishing withered seedlings. The wishes you hope for and pursue will also bring comfort, like a cool breeze easing the summer heat.

Fifth Sign for the Wei Hour: Hold Fast to Sincerity, Neutral

Pines and cypresses stand proudly through frost and snow, while floating blossoms cannot withstand wind and rain. Hold fast to sincerity and integrity, and you can remain steadfast and secure.

Resolve to keep to the true Dao, like pines and cypresses that do not wither in frost and snow. Those driven only by passing greed and delusion are like floating blossoms: unable to withstand wind and rain, they cannot last. Keep a settled heart at all times, and blessings will naturally come.

Sixth Sign for the Wei Hour: Keep the Heart Upright, Without Doubt, Neutral

A rumble of thunder comes from the horizon: the winds and clouds are gathering, and the moment has arrived. The wicked will be afraid, while the upright can return to the right path.

The thunderclap awakens wrongdoers and punishes evil. A light bright as a mirror reveals beauty and ugliness, and distinguishes right from wrong. Keep your thoughts upright, and you will have no doubts or fears; turn to the right path, and you will have nothing to fear.

Seventh Sign for the Wei Hour: Escape Stagnation and Move Ahead Swiftly, Excellent

Those who attain the Dao receive much help. Their fortunes bring joy, and the years ahead are peaceful and happy. No one can stop their forward steps; the road ahead will naturally open wide.

Those who attain the Dao often receive help from others, because people throughout the world will follow their lead. Those who uphold the right way make fewer mistakes and can keep themselves secure. Leaving the dark valley behind, they can rise and soar, escaping hardship and moving toward ease. Setting out on the broad road, they can overcome obstacles and see their wishes fulfilled.

Wei Hour, Lot Eight: Fortune Arrives, Calamity Recedes — Supreme Auspiciousness

As phoenixes cry and cranes dance, the immortals’ procession descends to the heavenly court. Await the gift of true light and blessing, and calamities and misdeeds will be forgiven.

Jade pendants ring as immortals ride dragon chariots across the azure sky. Colored clouds surround their procession as it flies toward a heaven like the Jade Pool. Radiant light sweeps away the world’s demons and dark clouds; lofty sacred virtue brings blessings and joy to the whole family.

Wei Hour, Lot Nine: Joyful Union Comes Suddenly — Supreme Auspiciousness

People help one another and share in good fortune, so all kinds of undertakings can proceed smoothly. A noble person dressed in vermilion will guide you onto the right path. You may also hear happy news or receive good news in official documents.

Something you had not expected suddenly falls into place. The timing is right, help arrives, and everyone works together in harmony. A noble person is also willing to support and advance you, while signs point to promotion and progress in matters involving official documents.

Wei Hour, Lot Ten: Worries Recede and Anxieties Fade — Average Auspiciousness

The trouble brought by three women has passed, and sorrow will gradually fade away. Your state of mind is bright and open now, and in time the outcome will be auspicious.

Deceitful schemes will subside on their own, while weapons and bandits will retreat and disappear. The gloom lifts, and your mind’s eye becomes clear and open. Once your worries have faded, plans and tasks will no longer be delayed or obstructed.

Wei Hour, Lot Eleven: Advantage Lies in Meeting a Great Person — Supreme Auspiciousness

Show kindness to the people, and their joyful voices will spread like colored clouds. The seasons bring abundant harvests, and peace prevails throughout the world; all four quarters celebrate tranquility and prosperity.

A sage teaches and transforms the people through De (Virtue/Power), extending kindness to all. When a noble person follows the Dao (the Way), blessings can likewise reach across the world. During Emperor Yao’s reign, the harvests were abundant, auspicious signs appeared, and the stars shone brightly in the sky. Under Emperor Shun, the realm was peaceful and harmonious, with laughter and cheerful voices everywhere.

Wei Hour, Twelfth Lot: Someone Obstructs You — Very Inauspicious

The original plan already carries an element of deceit, and human relationships are hard to sustain. Even after repeated attempts, you remain caught between advancing and retreating; what began as joy may turn to sorrow.

People’s hearts are often insincere: they agree aloud, but inwardly have no wish to follow through. When matters run counter to reason, no one listens, and plans are naturally hard to carry out. Though your intentions are earnest and your hopes high, a happy event may become a source of worry. Things may gradually lose momentum: at first, there seems to be no obstacle, yet in the end nothing may come of them. There may be progress at first, followed by a setback.

Wei Hour, Thirteenth Lot: From Darkness to Light — Moderately Auspicious

After sitting for a long time, a cool breeze begins to stir; as you wake from a dream, the bright moon rises. Many tangled thoughts have weighed on your mind, but now things are beginning to become clear.

A gentle breeze slowly dispels the summer heat and brings coolness; the rising moon lights up dark places. As you continue onward, the road will gradually grow smoother, and your steps will feel easier. When you make plans, a way forward will gradually open, with few obvious obstacles.

Wei Hour, Fourteenth Lot: Averting Calamity and Repenting — Moderately Auspicious

A minor mishap may befall the household, and everyday disputes could also lead to an unexpected disturbance. You should promptly offer prayers to avert misfortune and express remorse, relying on the power of the Great Dao to dispel calamity. Pray sincerely with incense, seeking peace and good fortune for the household. Here, “averting calamity and repenting” refers to praying and offering incense in ritual to seek relief from misfortune, while also expressing remorse and gratitude.