First, based on the method of accumulating months from the previous year, calculate the date of the new moon: subtract the small part from the full thirty-one in the large part, subtract one lunar cycle from the full large part, and the remaining part after a full cycle is the daily remainder. The daily remainder is not included in the calculation; the ultimate goal is to determine the date of the new moon and incorporate it into the lunar calendar.
Next, calculate the following month, add one day, with a remainder of five thousand eight hundred and thirty-two days, and a small part of twenty-five.
Calculate the next month, add one day, with an excess of five thousand eight hundred and thirty-two days, and a small part of twenty-five. This part calculates the daily remainder and the remaining small part for the next month.
Calculate the date of the first quarter moon, add seven days each, with a remainder of two thousand two hundred and eighty-three days, a small part of twenty-nine and a half. Convert the small part into days according to the established method; subtract when reaching twenty-seven days, and the remainder is divided into weeks. If it's not enough, subtract one day and add an additional week.
Set the accumulated surplus and deficit in the lunar calendar, and multiply it by the weekly cycle to determine the actual value. Let the total multiply the daily remainder, multiply by the rate of loss or gain, and the actual loss or gain is the addition or subtraction of the surplus or deficit. Subtract the monthly division from the annual chapter, multiply by half a week to get the difference, divide by it, and the resulting surplus or deficit is added to or subtracted from the large part. If the daily surplus is insufficient, add time before and after the new moon. The first quarter moon's date may advance or retreat based on the large remainder, which helps in determining the small remainder.
Multiply the accumulated surplus and deficit values in the calendar by the number of days in a cycle to establish the base. Next, multiply the small fraction of the remaining days by the base, then by a profit and loss rate to adjust it; this process is known as adding and subtracting surplus time. Subtract the monthly fraction (representing the moon's cycles) from the chapter year (one complete year), multiply by half of the cycle as the difference, and divide by this difference to obtain the surplus and deficit results. Add the large and small remainders, then process the surplus and deficit using the daily method; the new moon is considered on the day before and after. Adjust the waxing and waning date according to the large remainder to determine the small remainder. This describes a complex calculation process for adjusting surplus and deficit in the calendar. Multiply the chapter year by the surplus time adjustments, then divide by the difference to get the full number, which represents the size of the surplus and deficit. Adjust the position of the current day and month based on the surplus and deficit result; if it is not enough, use the method to adjust forward or backward to determine the positions of the day and month. This further explains the adjustment steps involved in calendar calculations. Multiply half of the cycle by the small remainder of the new moon, divide by the number of days, and subtract from the historical remaining days. If the remainder is not enough, add the weekly method and subtract, then subtract one day. Subtract the day of the week and its fraction, which is the time of midnight in the calendar. This describes the steps to calculate the time of midnight in the calendar. To calculate the next day, add one day; if the remaining days reach twenty-seven, subtract the weekly cycle from the remaining days, without directly aligning with the weekly cycle. If it doesn't reach the exact amount, add a week of adjustment to the remainder; the remaining days represent the next day in the calendar. This outlines the method for calculating the remaining days for the following day.
At midnight, calculate the remaining days of the year, multiplying by the rate of gain and loss. If it is evenly divisible by the cycle, the result is one; otherwise, the remainder is left. Adjust the accumulation of gains and losses with this remainder; if the remainder cannot be divided evenly, divide by the cycle to determine the gains and losses at midnight. A complete cycle is considered a degree, while an incomplete cycle is regarded as a fraction. Multiply the total by the fraction and the remainder, applying the cycle method to the remainder, and using the degree method when the fraction is complete. Adjust the degree and remainder of gains and losses at midnight, and finally determine the degree. This passage describes a complex process of adjusting gains and losses at midnight.
Multiply the remaining days of the year by the rate of decline; if it can be divided evenly by a cycle, the result is one; otherwise, the remainder is left, which allows for understanding daily changes in decline. This passage describes a method for calculating daily changes in decline.
Multiply the cycle void by the rate of decline; if the cycle void represents a constant, after completing the calculations, add the constant to the rate of decline. If it exceeds the rate of decline, subtract it, then move on to the next cycle of changing decline. This passage describes the subsequent steps in handling changing decline.
This text describes the calculation method of ancient calendars, which is very complex. Let's interpret it sentence by sentence.
First paragraph: The length of time each day varies, with fluctuations in gains and losses, adjusted according to the seasonal changes throughout the year. Calculate the length of each day, add the nighttime, and you get the start time of the next day. If the calculated time does not match the actual Sunday time, adjustments are needed using a specific adjustment value of 1338. If the time is longer than Sunday, adjust it with another value of 837, then make further adjustments using 899, and continue the calculation.
Paragraph 2: Based on the pattern of changes in daily time duration, calculate the rate of daily time variation and use it to adjust the duration of nighttime. If the calculation results indicate a shortfall, adjustments need to be made in the opposite direction, using a method similar to the one described earlier.
Paragraph 3: Multiply the distance traveled by the moon by the nighttime duration corresponding to the solar terms, and then divide by 200 to calculate the length of daytime. Subtract the length of daytime from the distance the moon travels to get the length of nighttime. The calculation methods for these time lengths are similar to those mentioned earlier and require adjustment using a specific value.
Paragraph 4: A month has four important reference points and three key calculation steps; these steps are interconnected and together determine the number of days in a month. Through a series of calculations, the specific length of time for each day can be obtained, as well as the cycle of the moon's phases and related data.
Paragraph 5 to the last paragraph: This section lists the specific values of the 'loss and gain rates' in the lunar-solar calendar and their specific applications on different dates. From the first day to the thirteenth day, the values of 'loss' and 'gain' change daily, involving concepts such as 'remaining threshold,' 'differential,' and certain specialized calculation methods, including the 'minor-major method.' Finally, it provides the values for weekly cycles, differentials, new moon phase divisions, and the differential method. These numbers represent extremely fine adjustments and corrections in ancient calendrical calculations, reflecting the advanced development of ancient astronomical calendars. "One loss and gain reduces seventeen on the initial day," "On the second day (remaining threshold of twelve hundred and ninety, differential four hundred and fifty-seven), this is the previous limit," etc., are specific calculation steps and results that illustrate the complexity of ancient calendrical calculations. "Minor-major method, four hundred seventy-three," indicates the special methods and parameters used in the calculations.
In summary, this text describes an extremely complex system of ancient calendrical calculations, involving a large number of numbers and calculation methods aimed at accurately calculating the daily length of time and the cycle of the moon's phases. Its complexity far exceeds the calendrical calculations encountered in modern daily life, reflecting the sophisticated development and remarkable skills of ancient astronomical calendars.
Let's first calculate the number of days from the Lantern Festival to today, using the new moon days (the first day of the lunar month) and the time interval (the differential) from the new moon day of the previous month, multiplying each by a coefficient. If the differential is large enough, we subtract the number of days in a month (29 or 30 days) from the total days; the remaining days will represent the days in the solar calendar. If it’s not enough to subtract, the remainder will represent the days in the lunar calendar. We perform this calculation for each month, treating any days that are less than a full day as a remainder.
Then, we add two days. Assuming the remainder is 2580 days and the differential is 914, we calculate the specific number of days using this method. If it reaches thirteen days, we subtract thirteen days, and what remains is the remainder, which is converted into a proportional fraction. The calculation method for the lunar and solar calendars alternates like this, first calculating the days that enter the calendar, then calculating the remaining remainder, reflecting the position of the moon during its cycle.
Next, we need to consider factors such as the timing of each month's new moon and the gains and losses of the calendar. We multiply these factors by a coefficient to obtain the differential, then add or subtract the remainders of the lunar and solar calendars. If the remainder is not enough or excessive, we adjust the date. We multiply the adjusted remainder by a ratio; if the result equals the number of days in a month, we use this ratio along with the remainder to calculate the final date.
Then, we multiply a ratio by the small remainder of the new moon day, calculating the result according to the differential method. We subtract this result from the remainder that has entered the calendar; if it’s not enough to subtract, we add the number of days in a month and then subtract. If it’s less than a day, we add the remainder, for example, 2720, and then add the small fraction of days, allowing us to determine the specific time of the new moon day (the first day of the lunar month).
To calculate the second day, we add one day. Assuming both the remainder and the small fraction are 31 days, if the small fraction is large enough, we subtract the number of days in a month from the remainder and then add one day. If the calendar calculation is complete, we subtract the integer days from the remainder to obtain the starting date that enters the calendar. If it’s not enough to subtract the integer days, we keep the remainder, add 2720 and the small fraction of 31, to determine the date for entering the next calendar.
We multiply a total coefficient by the gains and losses of each month’s new moon at midnight along with the remainder. If the remainder is sufficiently large, we use it to calculate the small fraction, adjusting the lunar and solar calendar's remainder with the gains and losses. If the remainder is not enough or excessive, we adjust the date. We multiply the adjusted remainder by a ratio; if the result equals the number of days in a month, we use this ratio along with the remainder to calculate the final date at midnight.
Multiply the ratio by the nighttime duration of the most recent solar term, with 1/200 representing the proportion of daytime. Subtract the ratio to obtain nighttime, and use the value of midnight to determine the time of day and night. Add the overtime and the time of day and night, then divide by 12 to get the degree. The remaining portion: one-third is considered 'less', anything less than one is considered 'strong', and two 'less' are considered 'weak'. This is the degree to which the moon is positioned away from the ecliptic. For calculations involving the solar calendar, use addition; for the lunar calendar, use subtraction to calculate the degree of the moon leaving the pole. A positive value indicates 'strong', while a negative value indicates 'weak'; add values of the same sign and subtract values of opposite signs. If subtracting, the same sign cancels out, while opposite signs add up. If there is no corresponding relationship, add two 'strong' and subtract one 'weak'.
Starting from the year of Ji Chou in the Shangyuan period to the year of Bing Xu in the Jian'an period, a total of 7378 years have passed. Ji Chou, Wu Yin, Ding Mao, Bing Chen, Yi Si, Jia Wu, Gui Wei, Ren Shen, Xin You, Geng Xu, Ji Hai, Wu Zi, Ding Chou, Bing Yin—these represent different years, but I won't specify which corresponds to which.
Next, we have a series of numbers; it's about the Five Elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, water—and their calculation of the movement rules in the sky. In modern terms, it's about determining the positions of the stars and their timings. These numbers represent the week rate, day rate, month method, month division, month number, etc., all for calculating the position of the stars. I won’t delve into the details of the calculations, as they are quite complex! In short, there are various multiplication and division relationships between them, ultimately calculating the trajectory of the stars. The original text states: "Multiply the chapter by the week to derive the month method. Multiply the chapter by the day to derive the month division. Division according to the law, for the month number. Multiply the total by the month method, for the daily method. Multiply the dipper by the week rate, for the dipper division. (The daily method uses the record method to multiply the week rate, so it is also multiplied by the minute.)"
Then there is the calculation of the surplus for the five planets, which refers to the extra part that comes up during their operation. This part is represented by "the major surplus and minor surplus of the five planets," and the calculation method is quite complex, involving various multiplications and divisions, ultimately resulting in the major surplus and the minor surplus. The original text states: "Major and minor surplus of the five planets. (Each multiplied by the number of months according to the general method, divided by the number of days according to the daily method, yielding the major surplus; the remainder is referred to as the minor surplus. Subtract the major surplus by sixty.)" Next, we calculate the dates and remaining days for the five planets entering each month, as well as their degrees and the remaining portions of those degrees. These calculation methods are quite complex, utilizing those earlier numbers, involving various multiplication and division operations. The original text states: "Dates and remainders for the five planets entering each month. (Each multiplied by the monthly remainder according to the general method, combined with the minor surplus of the new moon multiplied by the monthly method, summed up, and each divided by the daily degree method.) Degrees and remainder of the five planets. (Subtract the excess to find the degree remainder, multiply by the weekly cycle, and approximate using the daily degree method; the result is the degree, and the remainder is the degree remainder; subtract the weekly cycle and the Doufen.)" Finally, some key numbers are presented, such as the calendar month being 7285, leap month being 7, chapter month being 235, years being 12, general method being 43026, daily method being 1457, total number being 47, weekly cycle being 215130, and Doufen being 145. These numbers correspond to different astronomical concepts and are used to calculate the trajectories of celestial bodies. Next are the specific calculation data for Jupiter: weekly rate 6722, daily rate 7341, total months 13, monthly remainder 64810, monthly method 127718, daily degree method 3959258, major surplus of the new moon 23, minor surplus of the new moon 1370, day entering the month 15, daily remainder 3484646, virtual fraction of the new moon 150, Doufen 974690, degrees 33, degree remainder 2509956. Then there is the calculation data for Mars: weekly rate 3447, daily rate 7271, total months 26, monthly remainder 25627, monthly method 64733, daily degree method 2006723, major surplus of the new moon 47, minor surplus of the new moon 1157, day entering the month 12, daily remainder 973113, virtual fraction of the new moon 300, Doufen 494115, degrees 48. These numbers represent Mars's position and related metrics during different time periods. In short, it’s all numbers, and I'm getting a headache just looking at these numbers! Wow, these dense numbers are giving me a headache! What astronomical calendar is this calculating? Let's go through it sentence by sentence. The first section: "Degree remainder, one million nine hundred ninety-one thousand seven hundred six." This means: the remaining degrees are one million nine hundred ninety-one thousand seven hundred six. This "degree" likely refers to an astronomical unit; I'll need to look it up to understand exactly what it means.
"Earth: Orbital rate, three thousand five hundred twenty-nine." The orbital rate of Saturn is three thousand five hundred twenty-nine. This rate likely refers to either the number of complete revolutions or the time taken for one complete orbit.
"Daily orbital rate, three thousand six hundred fifty-three." The daily motion rate of Saturn is three thousand six hundred fifty-three.
"Combined months total, twelve." Together, this is approximately twelve months.
"Remaining degrees, fifty-three thousand eight hundred forty-three." The remaining degrees in a month are fifty-three thousand eight hundred forty-three.
"Combined monthly method, sixty-seven thousand fifty-one." The total method for a month is sixty-seven thousand fifty-one. The word "method" likely refers to a calculation method or formula.
"Daily calculation method for degrees, two hundred seventy-eight thousand five hundred eighty-one." The method for calculating daily degrees is two hundred seventy-eight thousand five hundred eighty-one.
Second paragraph:
"New moon remainder, fifty-four." The remaining degrees on the new moon day (the first day of the lunar month) are fifty-four.
"New moon decimal remainder, five hundred thirty-four." The decimal part remaining on the new moon day is five hundred thirty-four.
"Days in this month, twenty-four." This month has twenty-four days.
"Daily excess, one hundred sixty-six thousand two hundred seventy-two." The remaining degrees in a day are one hundred sixty-six thousand two hundred seventy-two.
"New moon virtual division value, nine hundred twenty-three." The virtual division on the new moon day is nine hundred twenty-three. I need to study what this "virtual division" unit is.
"Dipper division, five hundred eleven thousand seven hundred five." The dipper division is five hundred eleven thousand seven hundred five. What is this "dipper division" unit?
"Degrees in total, twelve." The degrees are twelve.
"Remaining degrees, one hundred seventy-three million three hundred fourteen thousand eight hundred." The remaining degrees are one hundred seventy-three million three hundred fourteen thousand eight hundred.
Third paragraph:
"Venus: Orbital rate, nine thousand twenty-two." The orbital rate of Venus is nine thousand twenty-two.
"Daily rate, seven thousand two hundred thirteen." The daily motion rate of Venus is seven thousand two hundred thirteen.
"Combined months total, nine." Together, this is approximately nine months.
"Remaining degrees, one hundred fifty-two thousand two hundred ninety-three." The remaining degrees in a month are one hundred fifty-two thousand two hundred ninety-three.
"Combined monthly method, one hundred seventy-one thousand four hundred eighteen." The total method for a month is one hundred seventy-one thousand four hundred eighteen.
"Daily calculation method for degrees, five hundred thirty-one million three hundred ninety-five thousand eight hundred fifty-eight." The method for calculating daily degrees is five hundred thirty-one million three hundred ninety-five thousand eight hundred fifty-eight.
"Shuo Da Yu, twenty-nine degrees." The remaining degrees of the new moon are twenty-nine.
"Shuo Xiao Yu, one thousand one hundred twenty-nine." The decimal part of the remaining degrees of the new moon is one thousand one hundred twenty-nine.
"Entering the month, twenty-eight." This month has twenty-eight days.
"Daily remainder, fifty-six thousand nine hundred fifty-four." The remaining degrees for a single day are fifty-six thousand nine hundred fifty-four.
"Shuo Xu Fen, three hundred twenty-eight." The virtual division of the new moon is three hundred twenty-eight.
"Dou Fen, one million three hundred eight thousand one hundred ninety." The Dou division is one million three hundred eight thousand one hundred ninety.
"Degrees, two hundred ninety-two." The degrees are two hundred ninety-two.
"Degree remainder, fifty-six thousand nine hundred fifty-four." The remaining degrees are fifty-six thousand nine hundred fifty-four.
Fourth paragraph:
"Mercury: orbital period, eleven thousand five hundred sixty-one." The orbital period of Mercury is eleven thousand five hundred sixty-one.
"Daily rate, one thousand eight hundred thirty-four." Mercury's daily rate is one thousand eight hundred thirty-four.
"Total lunar number, one." In total, it amounts to roughly one month.
"Lunar remainder, twenty-one thousand one hundred thirty-one." The remaining degrees for one month are twenty-one thousand one hundred thirty-one.
"Total lunar method, twenty-one thousand nine hundred fifty-nine." The method for calculating a total lunar month is twenty-one thousand nine hundred fifty-nine.
"Daily degree method, six hundred eighty-nine thousand four hundred twenty-nine." The method for calculating the daily degrees is six hundred eighty-nine thousand four hundred twenty-nine.
"Shuo Da Yu, twenty-nine degrees." The remaining degrees of the new moon are twenty-nine.
"Shuo Xiao Yu, seven hundred seventy-three." The decimal part of the remaining degrees of the new moon is seven hundred seventy-three.
"Entering the month, twenty-eight." This month has twenty-eight days.
"Daily remainder, sixty-four million one hundred ninety-six thousand seven." The remaining degrees for a single day are sixty-four million one hundred ninety-six thousand seven.
"Shuo Xu Fen, six hundred eighty-four." The virtual division of the new moon is six hundred eighty-four.
"Dou Fen, one million six hundred seventy-six thousand three hundred forty-five." The Dou division is one million six hundred seventy-six thousand three hundred forty-five.
"Degrees, fifty-seven." The total degrees are fifty-seven.
"Degree remainder, sixty-four million one hundred ninety-six thousand seven." The remaining degrees amount to sixty-four million one hundred ninety-six thousand seven.
"Set the year according to the requirements, multiply by the Zhou rate; when the daily rate reaches one, this is referred to as the accumulated total, which is not fully included. Divide by the Zhou rate; when the result is one, the stars align with the previous year. Two, align it with the year before last. If nothing is obtained, align it with the current year. Subtract the Zhou rate from the remaining total for the degree fraction. The accumulation of metal and water, odd is morning, even is evening." This passage is a summary of a calculation method, too professional; I need to find a professional to explain it to me.
In summary, this text records a certain astronomical calendar calculation process, involving the movement patterns and calculation methods of Saturn, Venus, and Mercury, full of various professional terms and numbers, requiring in-depth research to fully understand.
First, calculate the total number of months and the remaining months. Multiply the total number of months and the remaining months separately; if the product is enough for a standard month, count as a whole month; if not enough, consider it as the remaining months. Subtract the accumulated months from the monthly count; the remaining is the number of months entering the next month. Then multiply the leap month count by it; if it is enough for a leap month, subtract this leap month; the remaining part is deducted from the year; this part is calculated using accumulated months not included in the Tianzheng. If at the transition of the leap month, adjust with the day of the new moon.
Next, multiply the remaining month count by the common method, multiply the remaining day count by the accumulated month method, add these two results together, then simplify the results using the division method. If the result is enough for a standard day, the date of the star conjunction into the month is obtained; if not, the remaining is the day remainder, expressed using values outside the new moon calculation.
Multiply the Zhou day count by the degree fraction; if the result is enough for a standard day, one degree is obtained; the remaining part is the remainder; determine the degree using the method applied to the previous five days. The above is the method of finding the conjunction of stars.
Add up the total number of months, add up the remaining months; if the sum is enough for a standard month, count as one month; if not enough, add to the next year; subtract if enough; consider leap months; the remaining part will belong to the year after next; if enough for a month, it is the next two years. For Venus and Mercury, adding morning yields evening, and adding evening yields morning.
Add the date of the new moon and the remaining days together. If the remainder meets the standard for one day, you get one day. If the small remainder from the previous new moon is sufficient to subtract one day, then subtract one day; if the subsequent small remainder exceeds 773, subtract 29 days; if it does not exceed 773, subtract 30 days. The remaining part is the date of the subsequent new moon.
Add the degrees together, and add the degree remainders. If it meets the standard for one degree, you get one degree.
Jupiter: Retrograde period of 32 days, 3,484,646 minutes; visible for 366 days; retrograde period of 5 degrees, 2,509,956 minutes; visible for 40 degrees. (Subtract 12 degrees for retrograde, fixed at 28 degrees.)
Mars: Retrograde period of 143 days, 973,113 minutes; visible for a total of 636 days; retrograde period of 110 degrees, 478,998 minutes; visible for 320 degrees. (Subtract 17 degrees for retrograde, fixed at 330 degrees.)
Saturn: Retrograde period of 33 days, 166,272 minutes; visible for 345 days; retrograde period of 3 degrees, 1,733,148 minutes; visible for 15 degrees. (Subtract 6 degrees for retrograde, fixed at 9 degrees.)
Venus: Morning retrograde in the east for 82 days, 113,908 minutes; visible in the west for 246 days. (Subtract 6 degrees for retrograde, fixed at 246 degrees.) Morning retrograde for 100 degrees, 113,908 minutes; visible in the east. (The degree of the day is similar to that in the west. Retrograde for 10 days, retreating 8 degrees.)
Mercury, it was visible in the morning for thirty-three days. It traveled over a total distance of 6,012,505 minutes.
Then it was visible in the west for thirty-two days. (Here, subtract one degree for retrograde, and the final calculation shows it traveled thirty-two degrees.) It moved forward 65 degrees, totaling 6,012,505 minutes. After that, it was visible in the east. The degrees Mercury travels in the east are identical to those in the west; it was hidden for eighteen days and retreated fourteen degrees.
Calculate the number of days and the remaining degrees of Mercury's retrograde, and add the remaining degrees at the time of its conjunction with the sun. If the remaining degrees equal the daily degree count, continue the calculations as before to determine when and at what degrees Mercury will reappear. Multiply the denominator of the celestial body's movement by the degrees of Mercury's reappearance; if the remaining degrees can be divided by the daily degree count to yield one, even if it cannot be divided evenly, as long as it exceeds half, it counts as one. Then add the calculated degrees to its current degree count; if the total degrees reach the denominator, add an additional degree. The calculation methods for retrograde and direct motion are different; you must multiply the remaining degrees by the denominator of its current trajectory. If the days of retrograde are insufficient to complete the required degrees, you need to use the Dipper, an ancient astronomical measuring instrument, to calculate the remaining degrees, using the current trajectory's denominator as a ratio. The degrees may vary, requiring adjustments. Any reference to "as full as possible" pertains to actual division calculations; "divide and take the remainder" refers to complete division calculations.
Jupiter, you know, it appears with the sun in the morning, then it disappears, moving forward for sixteen days straight, covering 1,742,323 minutes of time; the planet moves 2 degrees and covers 3,234,607 minutes. Then it rises in the east in the morning, just behind the sun. Moving forward, at a quick pace, it moves 11/58 of a minute each day, covering 11 degrees in 58 days. Then it continues to move forward, but the speed slows down, moving 9 minutes each day, covering 9 degrees in 58 days. It comes to a stop and stays still, and after 25 days, it starts moving again. When moving backward, it moves 1/7 of a minute each day, and after 84 days, it moves back 12 degrees. It stops again and stays still, and after 25 days, it moves forward again, covering 9/58 of a minute each day, covering 9 degrees in 58 days. Moving forward, at a quick pace, it moves 11 minutes each day, covering 11 degrees in 58 days, showing up in front of the sun and then disappearing in the west by evening. Over the course of sixteen days, it covers 1,742,323 minutes, and then it meets the sun again before it meets the sun again. This cycle ends, totaling 398 days and 3,484,646 minutes, and the planet moves a total of 43 degrees and 2,509,956 minutes.
In the morning, the sun met Mars, and Mars went into a dormant state. Then it began to move forward for seventy-one days, which totals 1,489,868 minutes, which is equivalent to traveling 55 degrees and 242,860.5 minutes in its planetary orbit. After that, it became visible in the east behind the sun. During its forward motion, it traveled 14/23 degrees each day, covering a total of 112 degrees in 184 days. Then its forward speed decreased, moving 12/23 degrees each day, covering 48 degrees in 92 days. Next, it stopped for eleven days of inactivity. Then it began to move backward, traveling 17/62 degrees each day, retreating 17 degrees in 62 days. After another eleven days of inactivity, it resumed its forward motion, traveling 12 minutes each day, covering 48 degrees in 92 days. Once it resumed forward motion, it increased its speed, traveling 14 minutes each day, covering a total of 112 degrees in 184 days. At this point, it moved in front of the sun, and it could be seen appearing in the west at night. After seventy-one days, totaling 1,489,868 minutes, it traveled 55 degrees and 242,860.5 minutes in its planetary orbit, and then it met the sun again. Over the entire cycle, it amounted to 779 days and 97,313 minutes, traveling 414 degrees and 478,998 minutes in its planetary orbit.
In the morning, the sun met Saturn, and Saturn went into a dormant state. Then it began to move forward for sixteen days, totaling 1,122,426.5 minutes, which is equivalent to traveling 1 degree and 1,995,864.5 minutes in its planetary orbit. After that, it became visible in the east behind the sun. During its forward motion, it traveled 3/35 degrees each day, covering a total of 7.5 degrees in 87.5 days. Then it stopped for thirty-four days of inactivity. Then it began to move backward, traveling 1/17 degrees each day, retreating 6 degrees in 102 days. After another thirty-four days of inactivity, it resumed its forward motion, traveling 1/3 degrees each day, covering a total of 7.5 degrees in 87 days. At this point, it moved in front of the sun, and it could be seen appearing in the west at night. After sixteen days, totaling 1,122,426.5 minutes, it traveled 1 degree and 1,995,864.5 minutes in its planetary orbit, and then it met the sun again. Over the entire cycle, it amounted to 378 days and 166,272 minutes, traveling 12 degrees and 1,733,148 minutes in its planetary orbit.
Venus, when it conjoins with the sun in the morning, first goes into retrograde, meaning it moves backward, moving back four degrees over five days, and then it can be seen in the east behind the sun. Continuing retrograde, it moves 0.6 degrees each day, retreating six degrees over ten days. Then it will "station," remaining motionless for eight days. After that, it will "direct," which means it starts moving forward at a slower speed, traveling 3 degrees and 46 minutes each day, covering 33 degrees over 46 days. Then, it speeds up, moving 1 degree and 91 minutes each day, covering 160 degrees over 91 days. It accelerates further, moving 1 degree and 91 minutes and 22 seconds each day, covering 113 degrees over 91 days. At this point, it is behind the sun, appearing in the east in the morning. Finally, it moves direct, covering 1/569th of a circle over 41 days, while the planet also travels 50 degrees and 1/569th of a circle, before conjoining with the sun again. The period for one conjunction cycle is 292 days and 1/569th of a circle, with the planet having the same cycle.
When Venus conjoins with the sun in the evening, it first goes into direct motion, this time moving forward, covering 1/569th of a circle over 41 days, while the planet travels 50 degrees and 1/569th of a circle, appearing in the west in front of the sun. It then continues moving forward, speeding up, moving 1 degree and 91 minutes and 22 seconds each day, covering 113 degrees over 91 days. Its speed decreases slightly, moving 1 degree and 15 minutes each day, covering 160 degrees over 91 days, and then it moves direct. The speed slows down, moving 3 degrees and 46 minutes each day, covering 33 degrees over 46 days. Then it will "station," remaining motionless for eight days. After that, it will "retrograde," moving backward, traveling 0.6 degrees each day, retreating six degrees over ten days, at which point it is in front of the sun, appearing in the west in the evening. It goes retrograde, speeding up, retreating four degrees over five days, before conjoining with the sun again. The total period for the two conjunctions is 584 days and 113,908.2 degrees, with the planet having the same cycle.
When Mercury conjoins with the Sun in the morning, it first "dips down," moves back seven degrees over nine days, and then you can see it in the east in the morning, just behind the Sun. Continuing retrograde, it speeds up, moving back one degree each day. Then it "pauses," staying still for two days. After that, it "revolves," starting to go direct, moving quite slowly, covering just under one degree each day, and traveling eight degrees over nine days. Then it picks up speed, moving one and a quarter degrees each day, covering twenty-five degrees over twenty days, at this point, it’s behind the Sun and can be seen in the east in the morning. Then going direct, it travels one part in over six hundred forty-one million of a circle over sixteen days, while the planet also moves one thirty-two degrees one part in over six hundred forty-one million of a circle, and then it conjoins with the Sun again. A full conjunction cycle takes fifty-seven days plus a fraction of a circle, with the planet having the same cycle.
Wow, what is this all about? Let me walk you through it, sentence by sentence.
The first sentence means that Mercury joins the Sun in the evening, then dips down and starts moving direct. "Mercury" refers to the planet Mercury; ancient astronomy referred to planets as "five stars," and this describes the operational rules of Mercury.
Next, "In about sixteen days and some fractional time (down to the seconds), Mercury will move about 32 degrees, and then you can see it in the west in the evening, in front of the Sun," describes how Mercury moves directly and its position relative to the Sun.
"Direct, fast, one degree and a quarter each day, twenty days travel twenty-five degrees," refers to Mercury moving quickly when going direct, covering one and a quarter degrees each day, and traveling 25 degrees in twenty days. Ancient astronomers measured how far celestial bodies moved in degrees.
"Slow, one day eight-ninths, nine days travel eight degrees," then its speed slows down, moving only seven-eighths of a degree each day, and it takes nine days to travel eight degrees. This describes the change in the speed of Mercury's direct motion.
"‘Stay, not moving for two days.’" Then it stopped, remaining still for two days. "Stay" refers to the cessation of Mercury's apparent motion. "‘Rotate, retrograde, retreat one degree each day; before this, it hides in the west in the evening.’" Then it starts to retrograde, retreating one degree each day, still positioned in front of the Sun, disappearing in the west at dusk. "Retrograde" refers to Mercury's retrograde motion. "During retrograde motion, it moves slowly, taking nine days to move back seven degrees, and ultimately aligning with the Sun again." This describes the speed of Mercury's retrograde motion and the process of aligning with the Sun. "Each alignment marks one cycle, lasting 115 days and 601,250.5 minutes, and this pattern applies to other planets as well." This summarizes the duration of Mercury's alignment cycle and indicates that this rule is applicable to other planets too. In conclusion, this passage outlines the ancient observations and records of Mercury's motion patterns, which were remarkably accurate. From a contemporary astronomical perspective, it serves as a solid approximation.
