Yi Jing, Oracle of the Moon

神數

“Shen Shu”, Spirit Numbers 217-240

Numbers
1-24
25-48
49-72
73-96
97-120
121-144
145-168
169-192
193-216
217-240
241-264
265-288
289-312
313-336
337-360
361-384

217 The deer *

有一人
獲一鹿
事團圓
門外索

There was a man
He caught a deer
He arranged a meeting
He hung a rope at the door

  鹿 Deer: symbol of fame or riches
  門外索rope at the door: a traditional ceremony of betrothal.

218 Too late

汝往無攸利
花開又及秋
嚴霜物薦至
退步不存留

You proceed without benefit
Flowers open again in autumn
Severe frost will arrive
for creatures and grass
You fall behind and nothing will remain

219 Life can be magic

新月如鉤
清風作線
舉網煙波
錦鮮易見

The crescent moon as fishing hook
The gentle breeze as line
Raise the net from the mist covered water
You can easily see the beautiful seafood

220 Alert

先關鎖謹
提防小節
小節不知戒
因循成大殃

First close and lock up
Cautious and on guard
Not being aware of small matters
Following old routines becomes a big disaster

221 A dream in spring

燕語鶯啼
花開滿院
倚欄春睡覺
無語(歛)斂愁顏

Swallows chirp softly and the Oriole wails
Flowers bloom all over the courtyard
Resting on the fence in spring you doze
Without words or desire or sad expression

222 A cool breeze

勞心勞心
勞心有成
清風借方
歡笑前程

You work with your brain on and on
You work with your brain and achieve success
A cool breeze lends you power
Happiness and laughter in your future

223 Willow catkins

進步且徘徊
春風柳絮吹
水邊行客倦
枕畔有憂懷

Progress is wavering for the time being
A spring breeze blows through the willow catkins
The traveler at the water’s edge is tired
Resting his head on the riverbank with a worried mind

224 Smile

玉石猶終昧
那堪小悔多
終無咎
笑呵呵

The jade is in the end still dull
How can one deal with so many small regrets
Ultimately there is no blame
Smiling

225 Another spring

垂翼遙天去
皆因避難行
一途經濟意
又是滿園春

With drooping wings leaving for a distant sky
Only because you avoid disaster temporarily
Just by way of attention to being thrifty
Again another spring all over the garden

  天 sky or heaven or day.
  行 Perform, move, travel, line of business.

226 Skyhigh.

佳信至
開笑顏
飛騰一去
披雲上天

Welcome news arrives
Opening smiles on faces
Soaring swiftly upwards in one fell swoop
High in the sky splitting open the clouds

  披 split open; drape over one's shoulders.

227 Decide now

青氈空守舊
枝上巢生風
莫為一時喜
還疑此象凶

The green felt rug is impractical
conservative and worn
A nest high in the branches
in the growing winds
Nothing brings a moment of happiness
Still not certain that this looks bad

  生風Growing winds: making trouble.

228 Birds of mojo

莫言荊棘惡
終為鸞鳳悽
目前應有待
何用早躊躇

Don’t call thistles and thorns evil
In the end it makes Luan and Feng sorrowful
At present do what you should do
Of what use is premature hesitation

  鸞鳳 Luan and Feng, couple of phoenix-like mythical birds; husband and wife; distinguished talents; handsome; gallant.
  荊棘 Luan and Feng, couple of phoenix-like mythical birds; husband and wife; distinguished talents; handsome; gallant. See story of verse 9.

229 Thousand banners

上下和
憂愁決
千幛雲
一輪月

Above and below are in harmony
Worries are resolved
Clouds like thousand silk banners
The single disk of the moon

230 Origins

玉出崑崗石
舟離古渡灘
行藏終有望
用舍不為難

Jade comes from Kunlun’s rocks
Boats leave from age-old ferry jetties
Your conduct brings finally a promising reputation
You use your humble home without embarrassment

   行藏 move and store; conduct.

231 A tense heart

目下意難舒
有客來徐徐
金車雖歷險
吝心有終與

At present it is difficult to relax your heart
A visitor is coming very gently
In a golden chariot although experiencing danger
Finally the tense heart gets support

   徐徐 very gently; relaxed and dignified.
   歷險 experiencing adventures; having a narrow escape.

232 Steady

可以寄
可以托
事遲遲
無舛錯

Quite dependable
Quite reliable
Things go very slowly
Without mishap

233 A clear mirror

恐懼憂煎
皆在目前
若逢明鑒
指破空傳

Afraid and in agonies of worry
It is all in front of your eyes
It is as if in a clear mirror
Fictitious rumors are disclosed

234 When the night is dark

月掩雲間
昏迷道路
雲散月明
漸宜進步

The moon hides behind the clouds
Confused and lost on the road
The clouds disperse the moon is bright
Gradual and good progress

235 A greeting on the road

道路在招呼
風波一點無
時乖心緒亂
全仗貴人扶

A greeting on the road
And for a moment wind and waves are quiet
A time in which a clever mind feels chaotic
One relies entirely on the help of valuable people

  風波 Wind and waves, disturbances.

236 Turtle of legend

臨淵放釣
清絕點埃
巨鰲隨得
不用疑猜

Looking over the depths
you cast the fishing hook
It is clear with thin veils of mist
You follow and catch the legendary Áo-turtle
No need to have misgivings

  The tortoise is a symbol of long life, both turtle and tortoise of wisdom and peace. The turtle brought Yu the magic LoShu square.

237 Clouds disperse

無中應有直
心事還成戚
雲散月重圓
千里風帆急

Without a golden mean one needs to know right and wrong
The weight on one’s heart in addition turns into distress
Clouds disperse and the moon is big and round
You sail fast over a long distance

  千里 a thousand li, a long distance or a vast expanse.

238 Snake and rabbit

造化生來信自然
師征千里福綿綿
功名得就神明助
蛇兔相逢定變遷

Good fortune starts with trusting the natural world
The commander marches far with continuous blessing
Honor and rank will be achieved aided by gods and spirits
When snake and rabbit happen to meet vicissitudes get fixed

  造化 Heaven, mother nature, good fortune.

239 The power of ghosts

火仗神威
群魔消滅
滅了又須威神
宜極力牢牢記取
牢免致久後失跌

A fiery battle with an invincible might
A crowd of demons perishes
And again one has to eliminate the threatening spirits
It is good to keep firmly in mind to do one’s utmost
Not being firm incurs for a long time failing and falling

240 The thatched hut *

道必堅心
堅心必道成
建功勳
早回程
造茅庵修真身
一日飛升仙班列名

For Dao the heart must be firm
A firm heart achieves a magnificent Dao
Complete a grand meritorious work
Retire early
Build a thatched hut
Work on a true moral character
One day you ascend to the list of famed immortals

  飛升 rise, fly up; become an immortal.
  仙班 literary scholars or famed immortals.