Stick #70
Average塞翁失馬
The Old Man Who Lost His Horse
Remember the old Shepherd who lost his horse.
How he rejoiced over what he had lost!
For something lost would mean something gained, Today's puzzle would be in future explained.
Asking about: General
The Story Behind This Stick
This sign tells the famous story of Sai Weng, an old man living near China's northern frontier. When his prized horse ran away, neighbors came to console him. Instead of mourning, he simply said, 'Who knows?
This might be a blessing.' Weeks later, the horse returned with a wild stallion. Now neighbors congratulated him on his good fortune.
Again he replied, 'Who knows? This might bring misfortune.' His son tried to tame the wild horse and broke his leg.
When war broke out, all able-bodied young men were conscripted, but his injured son stayed home and survived. The story became a cornerstone of Taoist philosophy about the unpredictable nature of fortune and the wisdom of accepting both gains and losses with equanimity.
This stick is basically telling you to pump the brakes on your current emotional reactions to whatever's happening in your life right now. If you're celebrating what seems like a win, maybe dial it back a notch. If you're devastated about a loss or setback, same advice applies.
Think of it this way: you're living in the middle chapter of a longer story, and middle chapters are notorious for fooling you about where the plot is actually heading. That promotion you didn't get might be steering you toward something better. That relationship that ended could be clearing space for the right person.
Conversely, that seemingly perfect opportunity might come with hidden complications you can't see yet. We had a friend who lost what seemed like her dream job, spent three months panicking about finances, then landed at a startup that made her rich when it went public. Pure Sai Weng territory.
The key insight here is that your current situation is fluid, not fixed. What matters is how you respond to uncertainty. This stick suggests staying flexible and keeping your eyes open for unexpected developments.
Don't make major life decisions based on today's circumstances alone.
What To Do Next
Hold off on any big moves for now - major purchases, relationship decisions, career pivots can wait a few months. Instead, focus on building your resilience and keeping options open. Document what's happening in your life right now so you can look back later and see patterns you're missing.
Stay curious about developments that seem unrelated to your main concerns. Most importantly, practice accepting both good and bad news with the same level-headed response.
Sometimes what looks like your worst luck is actually fortune in disguise - but only time will tell.
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 #70 (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 #70 for general?
- 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.