49th Cim – Renzi – of the Wood Element favoring Spring - the East is favored

Advices come in droves, but not all can be followed,

The dragon cannot ascend as the clouds have yet to move,

Clear messages will be heard in the darkness,

So why should you ask for them?

Intepretation:

Though advices may be numerous, one should not heed them without thinking. Because the clouds have yet to move, the dragon cannot ascend to the heavens. Once the wind and clouds meet, the dragon shall take off to the skies. One can acquire clear messages in the darkness, so decisions can be made without repeatedly asking for divine signs. This cim tells the recipients to take initiative in their own matter and not heed people’s advices blindly. People may give different advices, which would only confuse the recipient in the end. There is no need to ask for human or divine advice. People must learn to weigh their options based on the advantages and caveats and make up their own mind, providing a sense of accomplishment in the end.

For pleas of business undertakings, the cim advices the recipient to do it alone, for partnerships may end up in an unhappy separation with no profits for either party.

For pleas of academic success, if one does not have a clear idea about how to succeed, then it is best to go for self improvement first.

For pleas of marital matters, those who succeed will be blessed with a fulfilling union.

Interpretation:

General affairs would be in discordance due to demonic mischief. Undertakings will succeed on the days of Wei and Chen. Family affairs will see great benefits for the household. Family fortune will neither be blessed nor face calamities. Marital affairs may face disagreements; success may be difficult but blessed are those who do. Pleas for children are not advisable for retards may be possible. Pregnancies will result in a boy followed by a girl. Pleas for wealth will be lightly answered; profits will be available. Pleas for academic success would be answered and is not advisable. The Age Lords are awash. Ailments will threaten the elderly but not the youths. Travelers should put off their trips. Business undertakings will provide no profits to partnerships in discord. Visitors will arrive on the day of Wei (half-moon). Shipping will be calamitous at first followed by fortune. Moving should not be planned or hoped for. Lost items will be gone. Pleas for rain will not arrive yet. Legal affairs will be delayed and financial loss may be possible. Livestock are not prosperous. The crops will give good early harvests. Construction will be favored. Burials and resting places will gradually provide a prosperous earthen spirit. Fishermen will not have a good spring or summer; winter will strike even. Fisheries will not be profitable at first but hopeful in the near future. Hatcheries will be profitable and entering the business will be advantageous. The monthly commands reveal verbal discord. Lost persons will return slowly. Letters from afar will arrive slowly.

The Ancients say: Fo Yin replies in poem; Little Sister Su deciphers the poem



Su Dongpo once sat in a hall the famous Buddhist priest Fo Yin. He asked the monk: “So what do I look like when seated?” Fo Yin replied: “Like an image of the Buddha. How about me?” Su Dongpo replied: “You look like a pile of manure.” Since Fo Yin was dressed in the garbs and robes of a Buddhist monk, he could not reply and remained silent. Su Dongpo believed that he had gained the upper hand and smiled, narrating the incident to his little sister, describing how he often loses in debates against Fo Yin, but he had gained victory this time around. His little sister immediatel replied: “Brother, you have lost again.” Su Dongpo asked for her reasons. She then explained: “Fo Yin’s mouth describes a Buddha, but yours describes a pile of dung. So how have you won exactly?” Su Dongpo realized that she was right, and have lost again to Fo Yin. Truly Su Dongpo was a clever man, but he had his moments of ignorance as well.