Guan Yin Oracle No. 17

Sour Plums Quench Thirst

Lot 17Middle lotMao Palace

The desired gain may be empty. Repent, keep discipline, and accumulate hidden virtue.

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Guan Yin Oracle No. 17

Sour Plums Quench Thirst

Middle lot

Do not listen to idle talk and disputes.

Morning and evening, it is better to recite Amitabha.

If you take wild words as truth,

How can a painted cake satisfy hunger?

Original text

Original Chinese verse

画饼如何止得饥

若将狂话为真实

晨昏只好念弥陀

莫听闲言说是非

Allusion

During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao led troops who became thirsty after defeat and lack of water. He told them there was a plum grove ahead, and imagining the sour plums made their mouths water so they felt less thirsty. This is the origin of “thinking of plums to quench thirst,” similar to trying to satisfy hunger with a painted cake.

Translated verse

This lot shows trying to satisfy hunger with a painted cake. Many matters are more empty than real.

Explanation

The heart is unsettled and reading scriptures is wasted. It is like a painted cake, hard to swallow as food.

Reading the sign

Do not listen to gossip or treat false words as truth. Use idle time for prayer and steadying the mind.

The lot warns that what is being sought may be empty. A painted cake cannot fill hunger. Repentance, discipline, and quiet merit are the practical way to improve the situation.

By question

General Matters

Do not spend life listening to gossip and household disputes. Use that time for recitation and inner steadiness.

Love and Marriage

Do not force love. Even if a relationship comes, frustration may follow. If broken, do not rush reunion. Morning and evening prayer brings more peace.

Work, Job Search, and Business

Frustration in job search or business comes from karmic obstruction. Repentance, discipline, and good deeds can improve it. Profits may often turn empty unless this is addressed.

Exams, Competition, and Promotion

What seems nearly obtained may fall empty. Treat this as karmic obstruction and improve through repentance, discipline, and good deeds.

Investment and Money

Loss is likely, so investment is not suitable. Giving and discipline can help stop bad fortune.

Health

Searching everywhere for treatment may not help. Repentance and discipline are advised to reduce suffering.

Change and Transfer

When adversity is strong, changing still may not help. Repentance and firm discipline matter more.

Pregnancy and Children

Pregnancy may not go smoothly. Keep the precept against killing and release life when appropriate to improve the condition.

Legal Matters

This may be hard to avoid. If settlement is possible, value peace. Without settlement, the sign is inauspicious.

Finding People or Things

Do not search.

Travel and Going Abroad

Keeping your place is better. Distant development brings little gain.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does Lot 17 Sour Plums Quench Thirst mean?

This is a Middle lot in Mao Palace. The verse gives the image, and the overall reading brings it back to the matter itself: Do not listen to gossip or treat false words as truth. Use idle time for prayer and steadying the mind.

Should I read only the blessing level of Lot 17?

No. The level gives the broad weather, but the useful detail is in the translated verse, original reading, practical signals, and question-based sections. The practical signal begins: Home, pray for blessings. Self is mixed. Wealth should not be expected. Deals may be smooth but slow. Marriage is blocked.

Which part should I read for a concrete question?

Start with “General Matters.” Do not spend life listening to gossip and household disputes. Use that time for recitation and inner steadiness

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