The Sleepy Immortal

Chinese fortune poems, one page each

Mazu's Fortune Poems

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 85: Under a lonely star, it's best to rest.

Mazu Fortune Poem No. 85 is paired with the Jian · Obstruction hexagram. In plain words: When the road is hard and people drift apart, stop for a while. Gather your strength back, and take good care of yourself.

Jian · Obstruction
Under a lonely star, it's best to rest.The mandarin ducks drift apart down the stream.Will a dry willow ever grow leaves again?Wind and rain scatter things, simply as they will.

Original Chinese

命犯孤辰只合休鴛鴦兩下逐溪流枯楊豈肯重生葉風雨飄零空自然

What it says about…

Love
If you're both busy with your own lives, don't jump to conclusions. Pick a day for a good meal and a real talk.
Career
Stop scolding yourself for what you didn't get done. Every step from today counts.
Money
Look after your roots first, and hold off on expanding.
Health
If you feel unwell, see a doctor. If one opinion doesn't put you at ease, it's fine to ask another.
Family
When home is quiet, make the call yourself. The warmth can start with that one call.

Video

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Questions people ask

Is Mazu Fortune Poem No. 85 a good fortune?

This set is not ranked from good to bad here. What matters is the reminder: When the road is hard and people drift apart, stop for a while. Gather your strength back, and take good care of yourself. The choice is yours.

What does Mazu Fortune Poem No. 85 say about love?

If you're both busy with your own lives, don't jump to conclusions. Pick a day for a good meal and a real talk.

What does Mazu Fortune Poem No. 85 say in English?

Under a lonely star, it's best to rest. / The mandarin ducks drift apart down the stream. / Will a dry willow ever grow leaves again? / Wind and rain scatter things, simply as they will.

Different temples may use slightly different versions.

A fortune poem is a reminder, not an order. The choice is yours.

Chinese poem font: Wang Han-zong Li Shu (GPL v2), with a few added glyphs