The Hongwu Emperor Herds Cattle
Neutral
The poem
Original: 鱼龙混杂意相同 / 耐守深潭待运通 / 不觉一朝头耸出 / 禹门一跳过龙宫
The story
Zhu Yuanzhang, later the Hongwu emperor, herded cattle for others as a poor boy. When his family died he became a monk at Huangjue temple and then a beggar. In the chaos at the end of the Yuan he joined the peasant armies as a common soldier, drove out the Mongol troops and founded the Ming. A hero need not be asked where he came from.
What it means
This is the sign of the fish that has not yet changed, and the answer is to wait. You are among ordinary fish not because you are one but because the hour has not come. Even a foundation being laid needs its season; keep to your own portion in business and attempt nothing rash. Endure the deep pool. When the work you do down there is complete, the one leap at the Dragon Gate carries you over, and not before.
By area of life
Wealth
There is a harvest here, but the timing is not yet. Investment may reasonably be postponed until conditions have properly matured.
Love
Delay the union. This is the time to deepen what you know and cultivate the qualities that make you good company.
Work
Keep to your part now and sharpen your professional skill. When the opening shows itself you will rise very quickly indeed.
Health
You are in a low stretch. Improving your hours and your working environment does more than any change of medicine.
Travel
Postpone the departure. Prepare the specific skills the undertaking will require, and set out only once they are properly ready.
Advice
Build your strength in the pool, because the leap at the gate depends on it.