Stick #60
Average太白和番
Li Bai's Refusal
Poet Li Pak enjoyed himself so much in drinking wine.
The more drunk he was, his poem was more refined.
A high post was offered him by the Emperor; Yet fame and wealth, he would prefer to ignore.
Asking about: Career
The Story Behind This Stick
Li Bai (701-762), known as Li Pak in Cantonese, was China's most celebrated poet during the Tang Dynasty's golden age. Famous for his wild creativity and legendary drinking habits, he wrote his best verses while intoxicated. Emperor Xuanzong actually summoned Li Bai to court, offering him prestigious positions and access to incredible wealth and power.
Here's the twist: Li Bai turned it down. Multiple times. He preferred wandering the countryside, drinking wine by moonlit rivers, and writing poetry that would outlast any government position.
The story goes that he was so drunk during one imperial audience that he had the emperor's favorite eunuch remove his boots. His rejection of conventional success scandalized the court but cemented his artistic immortality. This sign represents the choice between artistic integrity and worldly achievement.
Your career sits at a crossroads between authentic satisfaction and external validation. Think of it this way — you might be facing opportunities that look impressive on paper but don't align with what actually fulfills you. The sign suggests you're being offered something that others would consider a big break, yet your instincts are telling you to pause.
This isn't about self-sabotage. Li Bai understood that some promotions come with golden handcuffs. That high-paying role might demand you compromise your values.
That prestigious company might drain your creativity. The partnership opportunity might require you to abandon what originally drew you to this work. Here's what we think: your current situation offers more genuine satisfaction than the flashy alternatives knocking at your door.
A friend of mine once got recruited by a tech giant in Silicon Valley. Great salary, amazing benefits, impressive title. But she turned it down to stay at her small nonprofit because the work actually mattered to her.
Five years later, she's running the organization and couldn't be happier. Your career path doesn't need to impress others. It needs to feed your soul while paying your bills.
That's enough.
What To Do Next
Evaluate current opportunities based on long-term satisfaction, not just immediate rewards. If you're considering a job change, ask yourself: does this align with your core values? Will you still respect yourself in this role two years from now?
Don't rush into decisions that look good to others but feel wrong to you. Focus on developing skills that genuinely interest you rather than chasing titles that sound impressive. Sometimes the wisest career move is staying put and deepening your expertise where you are.
When the emperor calls but your heart says no — choosing authentic success over empty prestige.
What you feel reading this is already part of the answer.
Next comes specific guidance — when to act, how to move, what to watch for.
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Further Reading
FAQ
- Is Stick #60 (Average) good or bad?
- "Average" is a middle-tier fortune. It suggests your situation has room for growth but requires attention and direction. The real value is in the specific guidance — fortune sticks are tools for self-reflection, not prediction.
- How accurate is Wong Tai Sin Stick #60 for career?
- Fortune sticks work as a mirror for self-reflection rather than prediction. If the interpretation resonates with you, that's the stick doing its job — revealing what you already sense but haven't articulated.
- Can I draw fortune sticks for the same question again?
- Traditionally, you should ask about the same matter only once. Drawing repeatedly often means you're seeking the answer you want rather than the guidance you need. To explore different angles, try a different life topic for the same stick number.