Wang Xiang Seeks the Carp
Neutral
The poem
Original: 天寒地冻水成冰 / 何须贪吝取功名 / 只好守己静处坐 / 待时兴变自然明
The story
Wang Xiang of the Jin dynasty lost his mother young, and his stepmother was narrow and jealous and treated him harshly. One deep winter she wanted fresh fish, and the river was frozen solid. Wang Xiang opened his robe and lay down on the ice; the ice split of itself and two carp leapt out. Sincerity can melt what force cannot break.
What it means
The image is water turned to ice: do not seek in vain. The ground is frozen and this is no season to grasp at position, so keep to yourself, sit quietly, and wait for the season to turn, when the truth becomes clear by itself. Water freezes and ice melts back into water, and what you are working on obeys the same rule: it is frozen now, not gone. Force accomplishes nothing here, and sincerity accomplishes a great deal. Genuine feeling melts the ice, and once the ice is gone the matter completes itself.
By area of life
Wealth
Gain is difficult and deals are blocked. Do not grasp; give instead. If you want the run to change, build goodwill now.
Love
Romance is in deep winter and pursuit is wasted. Wait for spring; for a relationship gone cold, warmth and sincerity are the only thaw.
Work
Applications will not land and business is depressed, and recovery needs time. Wait quietly for the first light of spring and then move.
Health
The illness is slow to yield. Inner work to clear distress and repentance for old debts are genuine ways to improve it.
Travel
Going abroad now is walking on ice and brings hardship. Wait for a warmer season and keep to what you have.
Advice
This is the season when water turns to ice, and force will not break it, though sincerity will melt it.