The guest stars, which include Zhou Bo, Lao Zi, Wang Pengxu, Guo Huang, and Wen Xing, are all guest stars. They move in the sky, passing through the twelve constellations of various countries, each country having its own corresponding constellation. By observing the guest stars, one can predict omens of good or bad fortune. The Zhou Bo star is large, yellow, and shines brightly. Wherever it appears, wars or funerals will occur, famine is likely to occur, and people will flee their homes. (The descriptions of auspicious stars are somewhat similar, but the results of divination are different.) The Lao Zi star is bright and large, with a pure white hue and soft glow. Wherever it appears, there will be famine, disasters, good deeds, misdeeds, joyful events, or angry incidents. The frequent appearance of the Lao Zi star indicates the potential for large-scale wars, causing concern for the ruler. If the ruler orders a general amnesty to absolve wrongdoings, disasters can be averted. The Wang Pengxu star, shaped like a fluffy tuft of cotton, gently floats. Its appearance foretells wars or funerals for that country, where many people gather dressed in white, and the country will suffer famine and death. There is also a saying that the Wang Pengxu star is greenish-blue in color, shining brightly. Its appearance signals weather abnormalities, droughts, crop failures, poor harvests, and rampant locusts.
When the sovereign star appears, it is large, yellowish-white, and appears horned. Its appearance signifies the outbreak of war, significant changes in the country, possible floods or famine, causing the ruler to become displeased, and the people to suffer from many ailments. The comet star is pure white and enormous, swaying gracefully, often appearing in the four corners of the sky. If it appears in the southeast, war will occur in the world, and generals will march from the wilderness. If it appears in the northeast, large-scale wars will happen over a thousand-mile radius. The same is true for the northwest. If it appears in the southwest, that country will experience war and mourning, possibly leading to great floods and the people going hungry. Another interpretation suggests that if the comet star appears in the southeast, it indicates that the great general is powerless; if it appears in the northeast, it will result in countless corpses over a thousand-mile area; the same is true for the west.
Whenever a comet appears in its corresponding asterism, if it remains, divination is based on its color to determine fortune or misfortune. A large star indicates significant matters; a small star indicates minor matters. A yellow star signifies favorable conditions, a white star signifies funerals, a blue star signifies worries, a black star signifies death, and a red star signifies war. Divination based on these five colors will not exceed three years. Another interpretation states that if a comet enters the asterism associated with external officials, the situation can be inferred from the asterism and the rank of the official it appears with. The direction in which the comet moves indicates the trend of events, and the countries it passes through will suffer disasters. The asterism where the comet remains can be used to predict the timeframe of events, while the five conflicting star energies indicate the source of calamities.
Ah, a shooting star is really just an angel coming down to Earth! When it falls from the sky, that's called "流" (liú), and when it flies up from below, that's "飞" (fēi). The big ones are called "奔" (bēn), another type of shooting star. The size of a shooting star reflects the importance of what it signifies. If it makes a rumbling sound, it suggests something big and impactful is happening. If it’s moving fast, things will unfold quickly; if it’s slow, things will take their time. A big, dim one is about the common folks’ issues; a small, bright one is about the affairs of the elite; a big, bright one indicates an important matter that affects many people. If it flickers, that’s a bad sign for the wrongdoers. If it’s big in front and small behind, it’s a sign of danger and concern; if it’s small in front and big behind, that means good things are on the way! If it wriggles like a snake, it hints at something sneaky. If it’s zooming by, it’s gone for good. A long shooting star means something will take a while; a short one means it’ll wrap up fast. Where a shooting star lands, trouble’s brewing. If the weather suddenly shifts and a shooting star shows up and hangs around for a bit, it predicts a fierce wind that could knock down houses and snap trees. If a bunch of little shooting stars start zipping around, it spells trouble for the common folks, and they might have to move. In short, the shape of a shooting star and what it means can change, and all of this comes from ancient texts and the "Jingzhou Divination."
The tail of a meteor can be two to three zhang long, shining brightly and illuminating the sky. If the color is white, it signifies that a royal envoy has arrived; if red, it indicates that a general has come. When a meteor shines with a yellow-white color and falls from the sky, making a sound like a torch hitting the ground, even the wild chickens begin to call, which is a good omen from heaven! The place where the meteor falls will experience peace and great wealth. If the meteor is blue and red, it is referred to as "earth goose," and where it falls, a military coup will occur. If the meteor is blue and red, two to three zhang long, it is called "heavenly goose," symbolizing elite troops; that country will raise an army, and the general will follow the meteor's direction. When the meteor shines brightly, white and long, piercing through the sky, it is the king's star, and the generals and troops should follow the direction of the star. If the meteor is the size of a large vat, it indicates a rebellion is imminent; if it is the size of a peach, it suggests that someone is about to be dispatched on a mission. If the meteor is the size of a large tile pot, with a reddish-black color and something resembling a bird's beak, it is called "beam star," and where it falls, there will be war, and the ruler will lose territory.
It is said that a strange star appears in the sky, as big as a large vat or jar, bright white at the back and low in the front, high in the back; this is known as "dun wan." The appearance of this star often accompanies the deaths of many people, and the country will lose land without fighting. There is another star, also as big as a large vat or jar, bright white at the back, low in the front, high in the back, which shakes its head and sways up and down; this is called "falling stone." Where this star appears, the populace will face famine. There is yet another star, similarly as big as a large vat or jar, bright white at the back, and after the star disappears, the white part will curve around like a wheel; this is called "unfastening the connection." Where this star appears, people will kill each other to obtain titles and salaries, indicating mutual slaughter.
There is another kind of shooting star, as big as a large pot or jar, with a bright white tail measuring several zhang in length. After the star disappears, the white part behind it transforms into drifting clouds, known as "Da Huan." Where this star appears, there will be a scene of rivers of blood and piles of white bones. There is also another kind of shooting star, as big as a large pot or jar, with a bright white tail, long and trailing over ten zhang, bending and twisting, called "Tian Xing," also known as "Tian Shi," which foretells that generals will be granted land and their territories divided.
Next is the "Tian Gou." It resembles a dog, and the spot where it lands appears engulfed in flames, shooting up into the sky. It is pointed on top, round on the bottom, approximately the size of several acres. Some say this star has fur, accompanied by short comets and a dog-like shape beneath it. Others say that when this star appears, it has alternating red and white colors, light, and turns into a dog after landing. There is also a saying that shooting stars have light, can show faces, fall silently, as if they have feet, called Tian Gou. Its color is white, with yellow inside, yellow like embers. The appearance of Tian Gou signifies impending war and the suppression of rebels. After its appearance, the four directions will attack each other, armies will be defeated within a thousand miles, and generals will be killed. Some also claim that when five stars align, it leads to mutual slaughter among people, and there will be bloodshed where this star appears. The ruler will lose territory, wars will erupt, and political upheaval will occur, necessitating heightened defenses. My predictions remain unchanged. There is also a star called "Ying Tou," which falls like a mountain in collapse, hence the name Ying Tou. Where this star falls, the army below will be completely wiped out, resulting in bloodshed for miles around. Some also refer to shooting stars that fall during the day as Ying Tou stars.
Finally, let's talk about auspicious signs. The first is called "Qingyun," which looks like smoke but is not smoke, resembles clouds but is not clouds, vibrant and swirling; this phenomenon is known as Qingyun, or Jingyun. It is a sign of celebration and a symbol of a peaceful and prosperous era. The second is called "Changguang," which is red and resembles a dragon. These auspicious signs are often seen during the rise of sages or the passing of emperors.
The first sign is Hongyi, which is a rainbow-like light appearing beside the sun. This indicates that turmoil is about to occur, with people's hearts confused, internal chaos in the court, ministers plotting against the ruler, the emperor being dominated by his consorts, or the ruler's infatuation with women, having numerous wives and concubines, leading to a lack of fidelity.
The second sign is "Niyangyun," which resembles a dog, entirely red, with a long tail. This signifies impending disaster for the ruler and impending defeat for the army. "Hongyi, the light appearing beside the sun. It signifies chaos in conflict, confusion among the people, internal debauchery, ministers conspiring against the ruler, the emperor dominated by consorts, and infidelity among wives." "Niyangyun, like a dog, red with a long tail, foretells a chaotic ruler and impending military defeat."
