Su Qin Comes into His Own
Neutral
The poem
Original: 行人跘曰气难吞 / 忽有灾事勿近前 / 巢破林鸟无所宿 / 可寻深处稳安身
The story
After twelve fruitless petitions to the king of Qin, Su Qin came home to Luoyang in disgrace. His wife would not leave her loom and his sister-in-law would not cook for him. Like a bird whose nest had been destroyed, he had nowhere to rest, so he shut himself away with a book of strategy, jabbing his thigh with an awl to stay awake, and emerged to hold the seals of six states.
What it means
The image is a bird leaving the wood: in the end things come right. There is a breath here that is hard to swallow, because someone has crossed or slighted you and it sits badly. The lot gives two instructions. First, when trouble flares in front of you, walk around it rather than contesting who is right. Second, since the nest is already broken, do not wait in the ruins; find a deep, quiet place and settle there. Pull your energy back into yourself, hold your position, and the outcome is satisfactory.
By area of life
Wealth
Gain is still possible, but do not enter on bad news. Wait quietly for daylight, and never make a financial decision in the middle of an argument.
Love
Marriage is obstructed, and the root of it is words. Speak kindly, act generously and mean well, and the prospect improves steadily.
Work
Fighting rivals in your own trade only gets you hurt. Withdraw rather than escalate, and use the time to strengthen your own position.
Health
An odd complaint appears from nowhere. Consider whether a vow was left unfulfilled, guard against accidents, and rest rather than chase cures.
Travel
You want to build something far away, but the obstacles are real. Seek protection, settle somewhere secure, and plan from there.
Advice
You do not have to swallow this today; step around the quarrel and find a quiet place to grow strong.