Stick #58: A Path of Thorns (Slightly Unfavorable)
荆棘满途鞋脚破，行来辛苦不堪言。披荆斩棘虽费力，走过便是艳阳天。
Plain reading
Thorns fill the road and wear through your shoes — the journey is bitter beyond words. Clearing the way is exhausting, yet beyond this stretch lies bright sky.
Interpretation
This is a slightly unfavorable lot titled "A Path of Thorns." Shoes torn, the walk bitter — the road ahead must be cut through brambles. Yet "beyond lies bright sky" shows sweetness after bitterness; present pain is the passage to light.
Situation notes
- Career: Starting from zero is hard; accumulated work later becomes a wall others cannot cross.
- Relationships: Love must pass through prickly adjustment; honest talk makes bonds stronger.
- Wealth: Opening new income is always hard at first — keep records and try in small amounts.
Common misread
Auspicious tiers (such as Slightly Unfavorable) are tone, not a verdict. Name one action you control before redrawing.
Advice
Prepare gear for the thorn road — enough rest, trustworthy companions, emergency stores. Reward yourself after each hurdle to keep strength for the whole journey.
From the Book of Later Han: Ma Yuan said a true man should die on the frontier wrapped in horsehide — old yet vigorous through thorns, a sign that will must not fail on a bitter road.
Related sticks
- Stick #57: Crisis All Around — neighboring lot for tone contrast
- Stick #59: A Hard Road Ahead — neighboring lot for tone contrast
Editorial note: entertainment and cultural reference. Source last revised: 2026-09-14. See Methodology and fortune stick guide.