King Wen Consults the Oracle
Neutral
The poem
Original: 直言说话君须记 / 莫在他乡求别艺 / 切须守己旧生涯 / 除此其余都不利
The story
King Wen of Zhou, a master of divination, was summoned by the tyrant Zhou. His cast foretold seven years of misfortune, and he ordered his eldest son to govern Qi by the old rules and on no account leave home. He was indeed imprisoned at Youli, and the son who disobeyed to rescue him was killed. In prison King Wen kept to his old art and set the Book of Changes in order.
What it means
The image is of keeping to the old and waiting for the season. Honest advice: do not go elsewhere to pick up some different trade. Stay within the livelihood you already know, for outside it there is little advantage. Where you can stay, stay; where you can take, take; and start nothing new. This is not a moment for founding things but for making what you already do deeper and more solid. Confinement itself can be the place where a great work is written, so settle in, and clarity comes with time.
By area of life
Wealth
Keep to your principles and handle matters carefully, since that alone brings profit. There is no need to open some risky new channel.
Love
Choose a faithful, dependable partner rather than a glamorous one. This is the advice of people who have already made the mistake.
Work
Your work is here, in your own district. Do not reach toward distant places, for staying with your own trade is the fortunate course.
Health
Listen to good advice and be grateful for frank words. Following the doctor and keeping to the rules is the best medicine available.
Travel
Going abroad now looks unlucky. You can accomplish just as much where you are, so why move so very far?
Advice
Keep the craft you already have; even a prison can be where you write your book.