Oracle 84: "Zhuangzi Tests His Wife"

Version of the Oracle Poem 1
Because of reputation, virtue is lost and harmony is broken. Be cautious not to turn haste into disaster. Drunk, one does not know where to go; sleeping drowsily under the pine tree.
Version of the Oracle Poem 2
Why would reputation lead to loss of virtue? Beware that good fortune may turn into misfortune. Drunk, one does not know where to go; dreaming vaguely under the pine tree.
【Fate】 A very bad oracle.
【Palace】 The Palace of Wei.
【Oracle Words】 This is a sign of a cold fish out of water, indicating that nothing should be moved.
【Explanation】 A cold fish out of water, beautiful but incomplete. If you ask about business plans, it is better not to proceed.
Divine Meaning
Home: Average good
Self: Beneficial for peace
Wealth: Unfair
Trade: Various rituals
Marriage: Matters are resolved
Pregnancy: Harmful
Traveler: Not arrived
Crops: Average
Livestock: Average
Legal dispute: Change
Moving: Stick to the old
Lost items: None
Disease: Recurrent
Grave: Bad
Interpretation of the Poem
Oracle Poem 1
Because of reputation, virtue is lost and harmony is broken.
Be cautious not to turn haste into disaster.
Drunk, one does not know where to go;
Sleeping drowsily under the pine tree.
Oracle Poem 2
Why would reputation lead to loss of virtue? (It is not acceptable to sacrifice morality for reputation.)
Beware that good fortune may turn into misfortune. (This could turn a good situation into a bad one.)
Drunk, one does not know where to go. (Blind and lost in direction.)
Dreaming vaguely under the pine tree.
【Spiritual Insight】 This oracle indicates harm from family and pregnancy, with various difficulties. It suggests resolving and protecting.
【Explanation】 Losing virtue for the sake of reputation can never gain recognition. Haste may bring more trouble. Like a person drunk and lost, unaware of where they are, yet sleeping under a pine tree! A cold fish out of water, beautiful but incomplete. If you ask about business plans, how will it end? This oracle reflects the image of losing virtue for reputation, and all affairs require effort without benefit. This oracle shows the image of losing virtue for reputation. Therefore, all affairs require effort without benefit. To seek personal fame and profit, one loses their morality and is ridiculed and criticized by others. The deity warns: Be cautious not to turn haste into disaster. Originally with good intentions, but one's words and actions may unknowingly transform kindness into evil, leading to disaster. In other words, your fate is like a cold fish out of water, beautiful but incomplete. If you ask about business plans, how will it end? This oracle has the meaning of "mistakes in haste." It advises the person to be careful in words and deeds. People are prone to say or do wrong things when busy or unconscious. Perhaps there is no ill intent, but as the saying goes, "water cannot be gathered again," which may hurt others. Therefore, one must always be cautious and pay attention to one's words and deeds. If advising someone else, it is also not advisable to speak harshly due to excessive eagerness to help. Otherwise, one's good intentions may be corrupted by emotions, which is regrettable. On the contrary, for others' mockery and criticism, one should not hold grudges or seek revenge. Remember, "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire." Being tolerant and broad-minded can make things more perfect.
【Reference】 Zhuangzi was a philosopher from the Spring and Autumn period. One day, he asked his wife, after his death, whether she would remain faithful or remarry. His wife naturally swore to be faithful. Zhuangzi practiced Daoism, so he pretended to die to test his wife. He placed his body in the hall. He then transformed into a handsome man who came to pay respects, claiming to be a distant friend of the late Master Zhuang. His wife was captivated by his appearance and gestures. While they were flirting, the man suddenly cried out in pain, saying that only a human heart could cure him. Even if he had been dead for three days, a human heart would suffice. His wife then performed the "great splitting of the coffin" to retrieve the heart of her husband to save her lover. When the coffin was opened, Zhuangzi leaped out. This is from "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio."
Essence of this Oracle
Do not lose morality for the sake of position or reputation, nor let blindness lead to disaster.
【Detailed Explanation】
Cool Moon Interpretation
Things have already been difficult, yet further wrongdoing may worsen the situation, making the future even darker.
The main message of this oracle is to warn people not to lose morality for the sake of benefits or fame, which could lead to a darker fate. This is an enlightenment oracle and also a warning oracle.
In summary, don't do something just because of that. Everything requires rational thinking.
Love and Marriage
If asking about when love will come
If seeking a marriage partner, do not choose someone rashly due to lack of love, which may lead to unnecessary troubles and losses.
If asking whether to date a person of interest
Do not pursue someone just because of a temporary liking, or because he is handsome, or because he is rich. Love needs rational thinking. Only those suitable for marriage are your best choices. So, this matter still needs your own thinking to decide whether to move forward or retreat.
If asking whether the current dating relationship can move forward or get married
Do not rush to get married due to pressure to settle down, fear of aging, or fear of losing him. Love requires mutual understanding and compatibility between both parties, which is the best choice for marriage. Therefore, this matter still needs further development rather than rushing toward marriage.
If love or marriage is facing separation or difficulty, and asking about reconciliation or getting back together
If the relationship has ended, do not try to reconcile just because of loneliness or the need for company. Love requires a compatible personality and similar background. If the conditions are not suitable, do not force a reunion.
Work and Job Hunting
Starting a Business
If asking about where to find a job or the job prospects
If looking for a job, do not take any job just because you can't find one immediately. The job must be legitimate, and do not choose illegal industries, which may cause regrets later.
If asking about starting a business or career prospects
If running a business, do not ignore ethics for the sake of profit, such as cheating customers or exploiting employees. Running a business with integrity is the long-term strategy.
Exams and Competitions
Promotion and Election
If asking about the future of exams or competitions
Do not participate in various competitions just because you want to achieve fame or applause, which may result in losses.
If asking about promotion or official career path
If wanting to be promoted, assess your own qualifications first. Only apply for promotions if you have sufficient qualifications. If you are far behind, avoid self-torture, and sometimes avoiding the pursuit may be more relaxed.
Investment and Finance
If investing, do not blindly invest due to the desire to make money, ignoring market risks, which may lead to losses.
Business
If doing business, do not lose morality for the sake of profit. If you run the business with integrity, it can last longer.
Real Estate Transactions
If buying or selling real estate, do not blindly follow others to buy or sell. Think rationally whether the transaction is necessary before proceeding.
Health and Treatment
If treating illness, do not blindly treat just to recover, ignoring side effects or risks, which may cause more harm.
Change and Adjustment
Do not hastily change due to short-term problems. Think rationally about the necessity before making a decision.
Childbirth and Pregnancy
Do not want to have children just because you don’t have them. Think about your ability, whether you need to have children, and whether you can raise them properly. Think clearly before deciding whether to have children, to avoid regret.
Lawsuits and Legal Disputes
Do not sue someone just because of a conflict or loss of interest. Think long-term to avoid losses.
Searching for People or Lost Items
If searching for people or lost items, it may be due to drinking that caused the loss. But the lost item is already unknown.
Traveling Abroad
If planning to travel abroad, do not go just because of vanity or seeing others go. Think about your own abilities and whether it is necessary, then decide whether to develop abroad.
Story of the Oracle Poem 1
◇ Zhuangzi Tests His Wife
Zhuangzi was a person from the Zhou Dynasty, named Zhuang Zhou, also known as Zixiu, from Mengyi, Song State. He served as a supervisor in the lacquer garden.
One day, Zhuangzi met a woman sitting in front of a new tomb, fanning furiously, as if trying to dry the damp soil on the grave. Zhuangzi did not understand her intention and asked her. She explained that the person buried in the grave was her husband. Her husband’s dying wish was to wait until the soil on the grave dried before she could remarry. She couldn’t wait any longer, so she fanned the soil hard to speed up its drying, hoping to find a second spring.
Zhuangzi thought that there was such a shallow-hearted woman in the world, and he sighed. Then he thought, what if his wife was like this? Suspicion arose, and he decided to test her.
Zhuangzi's wife was named Tian. The couple had a good relationship. Zhuangzi wanted to test his wife's loyalty, so he decided to fake his death.
When it was said that Zhuangzi had died suddenly, many people, including friends and relatives, came to mourn. Among them was Wangsun from Chu, who was handsome, wealthy, and respected. Seeing Tian, a newly widowed woman, he found her charming and pursued her. After twenty days, they got married.
That night, during the banquet, Wangsun suddenly had a heart attack and was on the verge of death.
Tian panicked and asked Wangsun how to save him. Wangsun, suffering from pain, told Tian that he needed the brain fluid of a corpse to revive him. Where could they find a corpse? Tian thought for a moment and realized that her husband had just died. Forgetting her past marital feelings, she took an axe and tried to open her husband's coffin to extract his brain fluid.
To her surprise, Zhuangzi had revived. Tian felt so ashamed that she hanged herself.
(This story symbolizes that pursuing personal interests at the expense of affection is unacceptable.)
Story of the Oracle Poem 2
◇ Li Guang Hunt at Ba Ling at Night
Li Guang failed in battle against the Xiongnu and was demoted by Emperor Wu of Han to a commoner, living in seclusion. One day, while visiting a friend, he went out at night to hunt at Ba Ling.
After hunting, he returned too late, and the city gate was already closed.
Li Guang said, "Open the gate!"
The guard asked, "Who are you?"
Li Guang introduced himself, "I am the former General Li!"
The guard laughed, "Even a current general cannot pass, let alone a former one!" Humiliated, Li Guang had to sleep outside the city that night and entered the next day.
Later, when Li Guang was reappointed by Emperor Wu, he had the gatekeeper executed on some pretext.
(This story symbolizes that taking revenge for personal reasons is unacceptable. Punishing small offenses is unacceptable. Using power to intimidate others is unacceptable.)
Master Oracle Interpretation Cases:
Case 1:
Recently, I have been feeling unwell and went to a temple to pray for the Guanyin Oracle 84. I would like to ask what the meaning of this oracle is? Friends who can interpret the oracle, please help me! Thank you very much!
Master's Oracle Interpretation: This is a very bad oracle. It is recommended that you go to the hospital for a check-up. After all, your health is your own. Oracle reading is only for reference.
Case 2:
Two people have been dating since junior high school, but they have never met each other's parents and haven't confirmed their relationship. I wonder if the guy is the one who will stay with me until the end? Is there a chance of marriage? Or is this a love without a future?
Master's Oracle Interpretation: It's best to ask directly. Whether you are suitable for being together depends on your own inner answer, not just based on one oracle.
Case 3:
I asked for this oracle to see if I am suitable for working outside. Work here hasn't been going well, and there are no signs of wealth. Now I want to go out to make a name for myself, but I'm worried that it might be the same elsewhere.
Master's Oracle Interpretation: You probably encountered difficulties in local work and couldn't solve them. If you go to another place, the consequences may be worse, with more danger.
Case 4:
I am about to graduate and plan to interview at a company, which requires going abroad for four years. I passed the English test, but my spoken English isn't very good. Can this happen?
Master's Oracle Interpretation: If you really want to go abroad, go when you have enough skills. If you go abroad just for this company, it's better to improve yourself domestically. There are other companies to develop, aren't there?