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DIY Fortune Red Divination Blocks and Sticks

By Lauren Mack, About.com Guide Going to the temple and tossing red divination blocks is a routine Chinese fortune telling activity in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and beyond. Tossing the red divination blocks is a way for believers to communicate with the gods about questions they have about life, love, or career. The cashew-shaped blocks are usually made of wood or bamboo. One side of each half-crescent-shaped block is flat and the other side is curved. Each block is called zhi. The curved side is yin (down side) and the flat side is yang (up side). The blocks are typically located next to statues of gods or goddesses in the temple and it does not cost anything to use them. Worshippers grab both blocks in their hands, silently state their names, birthdays, addresses, and their questions, and then toss the blocks on the counter. When visiting a temple, it is likely you will hear the clack, clack of the wooden blocks hitting the wooden or marble countertop. If you do not live near a temple, you can use the red divination blocks at home. Making your own divination blocks is easy. What You Need: 1 small block of wood Saw Red paint and paintbrush or Red construction paper Scissors How to Make Red Divination Blocks: 1. Cut a piece of wood or construction paper into two crescent moon shapes. 2. If using wood, paint the blocks red. Once they are dry, you can use them to tell your fortune. 3. Then, follow these easy steps to get your fortune. Steps for Telling Your Fortune Using Red Divination Blocks: 1. Tell the gods your name, birthday, address, and the question you want to ask. 2. Ask the question again while throwing the blocks three times. Pay attention to the position of the blocks. One Yang and One Yin (one block flat and one block curved): This is considered a positive response from the gods. It is the way of the gods saying yes or things will go smoothly.

2 Two Yangs (both blocks are flat): This means the gods are still contemplating what you should do. It is the equivalent of the gods saying things are in an uncertain situation.. If you get this response, repeat the question and toss the blocks again. Two Yins (both blocks are curved). This is considered a negative response from the gods. It is a way of the gods saying no or you should wait a while and ask again on another day. 3. If you get three yes configurations in a row, take a joss stick from the bottle at the temple (it is typically near the red divination blocks) and take note of the number of the slip of wood. 4. Take the slip and toss the red divination blocks three more times to make sure the slip is the right one for you. If it is the right one, you can take the slip to a monk at the temple who will either read the stick and interpret the poems meaning for you or, referring to the number, hand you a slip of paper with a poem on it. If it is not the right slip, go back and pick another slip and repeat steps 3 and 4. Note: if you are completing this process at home, you can skip the joss stick portion and still get a fairy accurate reading from the gods about how to proceed. The process of tossing red divination blocks can be done as often as you wish.

Fortune Sticks
Chinese Fortune Sticks

Happy Chinese New Year! It is the year of the dragon which is especially good for me since I have a large blue Chinese dragon tattooed on my back shoulder. Yes I am the girl with the dragon tattoo! I had it done before the height of popularity of the book, but it is pretty funny that Lisbeth Salander (the heroine) also has hers on the shoulder. In honor of the Chinese New Year I am making a set of Chinese Fortune Sticks. Who doesn't love a fortune? Chinese Fortune Sticks are a fun take on the cookie. You have 50 numbered sticks. You draw a stick and read your corresponding fortune. If you have a party it is a fun conversation piece. Unlike cookies it can be left out and reused. Kids especially love pulling out and reading their fortune. All you need is a container to decorate (I made mine with a dollar store votive) and craft sticks. You can print out the sheet of fortunes I made for the project or go online and find ones you like. There are all sorts of fortune cookie fortunes on the internet. You can pick general, romantic, or funny. Just number the fortunes and use the same amount as your sticks. This is an easy project that even kids can do. It would make a fun Chinese New Year gift or group kids craft.

You will need: Jar to decorate-Any container works as long as the craft sticks fit into it and can be pulled out easily. For this tutorial I used a large votive from the Dollar Tree Store, and a small jelly jar. Scrapbook Paper or Fabric to line the inside of the jar Craft Sticks- I used the thinner ones sized 4 1/2" x 3/8 ". You can also use the regular sized craft sticks and write the fortune directly onto the stick. Ribbon and Charms (I found the Asian charms at Michael's in the clearance area where they are currently 70% off ) Marker

Determine how long to cut your paper by sliding it into the jar. Mark the paper at the top of the jar. Remove and trim the paper about 1/2" shorter than the marked line so the paper will fit just below the top of the jar.

6 Use double stick tape or tape runner to tape your paper into a circle.

Put paper inside jar. Decorate the jar with ribbon and charms.

If your charms are heavy hot glue the ribbon to the jar, or use a glue dot. You can make a charm by using an earring wire. Add beads and then bend the top into a loop to attach to the bow. Or tie on the charms with thin ribbon. Count out 50 craft sticks. Number the sticks 1-50 on one side. Leave the other side of the stick unnumbered so the numbers are not seen from the top of the jar.

Print out fortune sheet. Download here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ydqa3je833gqphz http://www.mediafire.com/?c3x82v5xjbj55pe Print out fortune#1. (1-25 fortunes) Then run the paper back through the printer upside down to print on the reverse side fortune#2 (26-50) Fold the paper and tuck inside the jar. You could also hand write fortunes to make a little decorative booklet.

Option 2: Use the wider Craft sticks and hand write fortunes directly onto the stick. Or print out the fortunes and tape runner onto the stick. Distress Your sticks with Stayz On ink (optional).

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1. There is a true and sincere friendship between your and your friends. 2. Smiling often can make you look and feel younger. 3. You find beauty in ordinary things, do not lose this ability. 4. Someone is speaking well of you. 5. Ideas are like children; there are none so wonderful as your own. 6. The time is right to make new friends. 7. It takes more than good memory to have good memories. 8.You will inherit some money or a small piece of land. 9. A thrilling time is in your immediate future. 10. Your life will be happy and peaceful.

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11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. Your blessing is no more than being safe and sound for the whole lifetime. A friend is a present you give yourself. Plan for many pleasures ahead. A member of your family will soon do something that will make you proud. The joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days. A quiet evening with friends is the best tonic for a long day. Your everlasting patience will be rewarded sooner or later. A single kind word will keep one warm for years. Something you lost will soon turn up. Generosity and perfection are your everlasting goals. Your heart is pure, and your mind clear, and your soul devout. Happy news is on its way to you. Excitement and intrigue follow you closely wherever you go! A pleasant surprise is in store for you. If your desires are not extravagant they will be granted. Good things are being said about you. You will be invited to an exciting event. As the purse is emptied the heart is filled. Be mischievous and you will not be lonesome. Nature, time and patience are the three best physicians. You have a deep appreciation of the arts and music. Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. Your flair for the creative takes an important place in your life. The beginning of wisdom is to desire it. Your artistic talents win the approval and applause of others. You will have a very pleasant experience. Pray for what you want, but work for the things you need. You will inherit some money or a small piece of land. Your many hidden talents will become obvious to those around you. You will live a long, happy life. Don't forget, you are always on our minds. You will spend old age in comfort and material wealth. Your greatest fortune is the large number of friends you have. You will step on the soil of many countries. A firm friendship will prove the foundation on your success in life. You will take a chance in something in the near future. Don't ask, don't say. Everything lies in silence. You will witness a special ceremony. Be prepared to accept a wondrous opportunity in the days ahead! Your everlasting patience will be rewarded sooner or later.