The "Hongfan Five Elements Chronicle" states: "Clear and bright is the essence of heaven. If heaven suddenly changes color, it means that the natural order has been disrupted. When heaven splits and the yang energy diminishes, it signifies that the subjects grow powerful, and those beneath will threaten their superiors, resulting in the fragmentation of the state, with the lower lords held accountable. When heaven splits to reveal light, there will be large-scale bloodshed. When heaven splits to reveal human silhouettes, war will occur, and the nation will perish. When sounds emanate from heaven, the supreme ruler will be filled with anxiety and dread. These are all omens of impending turmoil for the state."
In the second year of the Tai'an era under Emperor Hui of Jin, the northeastern sky split open, with a fissure over thirty zhang long and more than ten zhang wide. Later, the Lü clan instigated a rebellion.
In the second year of Emperor Hui's reign during the Tai'an era, the sky split open at its center. In the fifth year of Emperor Mu's Shengping era, the sky split open again, with a fissure several zhang wide that sounded like thunder. Following these events, wars broke out.
The sun moves along the ecliptic from east to west, completing one degree of movement in a day and night, making a full circle around the sky a little more than three hundred sixty-five days. When it reaches the east, it is spring; when it reaches the south, it is summer; when it reaches the west, it is autumn; and when it reaches the north, it is winter. The movement of the sun creates the shifts of yin and yang, along with the seasonal changes in temperature. Thus, it is stated in the "Chuan": "The sun embodies its own essence, governing life and grace, and symbolizes the ruler." It is also said that if the ruler has shortcomings, they will inevitably be revealed, serving as a warning to the world. Therefore, a country where the sun and moon move regularly will be bright and prosperous, the ruler will enjoy good fortune and prosperity, and the people will be at peace. If the sun changes color and armies are present, they will be defeated; if there are no armies, the lords will perish. If the ruler lacks virtue, the ministers will disrupt the state, and the sun will turn red and lose its brilliance. When the sun loses its color, the country it illuminates will not prosper. If the sun is dim during the day and shadows are absent, and it does not return to normal by night, it indicates that the upper class is harshly punishing, and the lower class cannot survive; within a year, there will be great floods. If the sun is dim during the day and crows are calling in droves, the country will lose its governance. If crows appear in the sun, this indicates that the ruler is unwise, resulting in political chaos, where people in white will gather. If black spots, black gas, and black clouds appear in the sun, fluctuating in number, the ministers will depose their ruler. A solar eclipse signifies the invasion of yin energy over yang energy, symbolizing ministers concealing the ruler's failings, leading to the fall of the country, the death of the ruler, and great floods. If stars appear during a solar eclipse, it will result in the death of the ruler and the division of the world. Rulers must cultivate their character and nurture virtue to avoid these calamities.
The moon is the essence of Yin energy. It is round and clear in nature. When the sunlight shines on it, its brightness can be seen. The part that sunlight does not reach is called "Po." Therefore, during a full moon, the sun and moon are facing each other from afar, with people in between, able to see the moon's full brightness, hence appearing round. During a crescent moon, the sun only shines on one side of the moon, resulting in a half-lit and half-shadowed appearance. On the new moon day (the first day of the lunar month), the sunlight shines on the far side of the moon, rendering it invisible from our perspective on Earth. The moon's speed of movement varies, with the slowest speed being just over twelve degrees per day and the fastest being over fourteen and a half degrees per day. It gradually speeds up when slow, reaches its peak speed, then gradually slows down again, completing a full cycle in about twenty-seven and a half days. Additionally, the moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic at an angle. It spends about thirteen days outside the ecliptic and about thirteen days inside. At its farthest point, it is six degrees away from the ecliptic. In about twenty-seven and a half days, the moon completes a full cycle of phases. Zhang Heng once said: "When the moon is opposite the sun in its orbit, its size is the same as the sun; the part where sunlight does not reach is called 'dark void.' When the 'dark void' encounters the moon, a lunar eclipse occurs, and when it encounters a star, the star disappears." Nowadays, scholars believe that during a full moon, the moon encounters the 'dark void' on the ecliptic. The 'dark void' has varying depths, which results in differences in the size of lunar eclipses. The moon is the essence of the Great Yin, symbolizing femininity and the ruler. When used as a metaphor for virtue, it signifies the concept of punishment. Incorporating it into the court system is equivalent to nobles and ministers. Therefore, with a wise ruler, the moon's movement is regular; with a powerful minister, the moon's movement is irregular. If ministers abuse power, using military force and punishment unjustly, the moon's movement will be erratic. If female rulers and their relatives abuse power, the moon's movement becomes erratic. A changing moon color signals disaster. If the moon shines during the day, it signals the rise of evil, leading to power struggles between rulers and their subjects, immoral female rulers, powerful enemy armies, famine at home, and continuous rebellions. If the moon remains visible for several months, it foretells the country's demise.
This text mainly explains the patterns of the moon's movement and its relationship with human fortune and misfortune, using some astronomical phenomena as metaphors for political phenomena, which is very interesting. Wow, this ancient text is really something! Let's take it apart line by line and discuss it in plain language. The first paragraph talks about the planet Jupiter, which symbolizes spring and wood, linked to human kindness and looks. If a person lacks kindness and has an unattractive appearance, they go against the ways of spring and disrupt the flow of wood energy; then Jupiter will take notice and dish out some consequences. The changes in Jupiter's position and size can affect the corresponding country. If it hangs around in a country for a while, it shows that the country is virtuous, enjoys good harvests, and is peaceful, and no one should have any ill intentions towards it. If Jupiter's not in the right spot, the country will be in trouble. When Jupiter is moving normally, everything runs smoothly; if it is not, the country will encounter troubles, and it's not a good time for war. Jupiter also represents the monarch, who should have a shining presence and good character. The monarch should act with moderation so that shady characters will back off; if the monarch behaves improperly, then life won't be good for them. Jupiter also oversees farming, as well as the states of Qi and Wu, along with the missteps of lords and rulers across the land, and the harvests of the five grains. If Jupiter shows up red with horns, the country will thrive; if it looks mixed red and yellow and kind of dull, then the crops will do great.
The second paragraph talks about Mars, which symbolizes summer and fire, corresponding to human manners and perception. If a person lacks manners and has poor perception, it disrupts the natural order of fire, and Mars will emerge to issue a warning. Mars moves erratically—its appearance signifies war, while its disappearance signifies its end. Disasters, thieves, diseases, death, famine, and war will follow; in short, misfortune. If Mars revolves, outlines its path, flashes its light, changes color, and moves erratically in all directions, the disaster will intensify. If Mars moves southward, men will perish; if it moves northward, women will perish. When Mars stops moving, it foreshadows death and disaster, leading to loss of territory for the nation. If Mars moves swiftly, armies will assemble, and victory can be achieved by fighting with the trend. Mars also governs diplomacy, death, civil engineering, and military affairs, as well as the mistakes of ministers, extravagance, misgovernance, and supernatural threats, along with the success and failure of the year. If Mars remains still, war will not erupt, but generals may fall. If Mars is bright red and retrograde, forming a hook shape, the war will be very dangerous, and the army will be surrounded. When Mars forms a hook shape, with light like a blade, the monarch must remain in the palace due to hidden ambushes. If Mars shines brightly, the people will be angry; the noble will be troubled, while the wicked will act without restraint. There may be corrupt officials, or there may be significant mourning; the common folk may rise against officials, while officials may turn against the king. Mars also represents external warfare and internal governance and is the rule of the emperor governing the world. Thus, even a sagacious ruler must heed the position of Mars. If Mars invades stars such as Taiwei, Xuanyuan, Yingshu, Fang, and Xin, it foretells calamity for the monarch.
The Tianxing represents the center, summer, and earth. Indeed, this refers to integrity and also to people's hearts. Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and integrity are paramount; appearance, speech, sight, and hearing are governed by the heart. Therefore, if any of the four stars encounter problems, the Tianxing will be affected. Once it moves, it will overflow, and the rulers will be troubled; if it shrinks, the army will not return. The constellation where the Tianxing resides will bring prosperity to the nation, gaining land and women, which brings blessings, but one must never infringe upon it. If one strays from it, they will lose land, and if they have daughters, there will be sorrow. The longer the Tianxing stays in its constellation, the deeper the nation's blessings; if the stay is short, the blessings will be thin. If the Tianxing misaligns and moves to the upper two or three constellations, it is called "overflow," resulting in unfulfilled commands from the ruler and potential catastrophic floods. If the Tianxing misaligns and moves to the lower constellations, it is called "shrink," resulting in issues in the imperial court, crop failures that year, and even occurrences of land cracks and earthquakes. There is another interpretation that the Tianxing represents the virtues of the Yellow Emperor, symbolizing the female sovereign, governing the depth of the nation's virtues, as well as the key to safety and survival, and overseeing the faults of women across the world. Another view is that it is the star of the Son of Heaven. If the Son of Heaven loses trust, the Tianxing will shake violently.
The Venus Star represents the west, autumn, and metal. This refers to justice and speech. When justice is lacking and speech is flawed, violating the autumn season and damaging the metal energy, punishment will follow, as indicated by the Venus Star. The movements of the Venus Star can predict warfare; its height, position, speed, and stillness can reveal the situation of the enemy forces, serving as a reference for military strategy, which is auspicious. If it appears in the west with an incorrect trajectory, the barbarians will fail; if it appears in the east with an incorrect trajectory, the Central Plains will fail. If it exceeds the designated date and surpasses the Pleiades, it will cause illness in the corresponding nation. If it crosses the sky, there will be changes of dynasties, resulting in chaos and displaced people. During the day, if it competes for brilliance with the sun, strong nations will weaken, small nations will strengthen, and the female sovereign will flourish. There is another interpretation that the Venus Star represents ministers, and its title is "Shang Gong," with the Grand Marshal's position requiring careful observation for insights.
The Chens Star represents the north, winter, and water. This refers to both wisdom and hearing. When wisdom is absent and hearing is flawed, violating the winter season and damaging the water vapor will lead to punishment, as reflected in the Chens Star. The appearance of the Chens Star signifies punishment, represents the Court of Justice, symbolizes the states of Yan and Zhao, and also represents the regions north of Yan, Zhao, and Dai. It is a symbol of the chancellor and also represents the spirit of violence and the omen of war. Another saying goes that when the army is in battle in the wilderness, the Chens Star symbolizes the subordinate general; in the absence of an army, it signifies criminal matters. The Chens Star should harmonize yin and yang and conform to the seasons. If it is not harmonized, the seasons will be missed, temperatures will become abnormal, and the country will suffer from great famine. If it fails to appear as expected, it is referred to as "striking the foot soldier," which will lead to large-scale war. If it appears between the constellations Fang and Xin, there will be earthquakes. There is another saying that the restlessness of the Chens Star often symbolizes the barbarians. Another saying states that the rise and fall of the barbarians is influenced by the movement of the Chens Star; if its color is yellow and small, a great earthquake will occur.
The five stars differ in color and size, each operating according to its own orbit, and the changes of the four seasons are connected to their movements. The changes in color adhere to a pattern. If the colors of the stars remain constant and they follow seasonal patterns, this is considered auspicious; however, if the colors change and their movement becomes chaotic, it is deemed inauspicious.
The position and movement of the five stars passing by indicate the luck of the country located beneath them. Jupiter symbolizes morality, Mars symbolizes etiquette, Saturn symbolizes well-being, Venus symbolizes military strength, and Mercury symbolizes the balance of yin and yang. If the colors and positions of the stars align and their light is strong, the country will win; if they do not align, the country will lose. The stars' positions indicate virtue when in actual constellations and lack of virtue when in illusory constellations. Favorable colors and movements lead to victory. The stars moving through their respective temples should be closely monitored for signs of fortune or misfortune.
If the brightness and positions of the five stars are abnormal, their essence will descend to earth and manifest as people. Jupiter manifests as high officials; Mars as children who sing, dance, and play all day; Saturn as the elderly and women; Venus as middle-aged men living in the mountains; and Mercury as women. The interpretation of good and bad omens is based on their appearances.
The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will bring about internal turmoil and famine; the conjunction of Jupiter and Mercury will lead to conspiracies to change the situation; the conjunction of Jupiter and Mars will bring famine and drought; the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus will cause the "White Clothes Society" to emerge, resulting in internal unrest, military defeats, and ultimately floods. If Venus is in the south and Jupiter is in the north, it is called a "year of the Ox" with abundant harvests. If Venus is in the north and Jupiter is in the south, the year might experience favorable weather or face ongoing disasters.
When Mars and Venus are together, there will be casting and funerary rites. At this time, one must not take up arms. If you go to war, the army will worry; if you retreat, the army will be safe. If the negative energy of Venus is exposed, there will be separation; if the positive energy is exposed, the generals will take to the battlefield. When Mars and Saturn are together, there will be troubles, mainly due to sins; when Mars and Mercury are together, there will be armies from the north, and taking military action at this time will surely lead to a great defeat. There is also a saying that when Mars and Mercury are together, this alignment is referred to as "焠," and weapons must not be used. When Saturn and Mercury are together, it is called "壅沮," and weapons must not be used, otherwise the army will face annihilation, and the generals will be executed. Another saying is that this situation will conspire to disrupt the status quo, ultimately leading to drought. When Saturn and Venus are together, there will be diseases, the "White Robe Society" will emerge, internal turmoil will occur, and the nation will lose territory; when Saturn and Jupiter are together, the country will experience famine. When Mercury and Venus are together, there will be conspiracies, causing alarm among the troops. If Venus emerges from the middle, the enemy will be defeated, and the foreign army will win; if it emerges from below, the foreign army will lose land. By observing the direction of the flag, you will know which army will be defeated. If Jupiter aligns with the moon, like being together with the Dipper, a great battle will occur, and the foreign army will win.
When Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury are in conflict, wars will occur, but not externally, rather as internal turmoil. Two stars leaning against each other are called conjunction, while invading each other is called fighting. If two stars are very close, disasters will be great; if they are far apart, there will be no impact. Within seven inches, disasters are sure to occur. If the moon eclipses any of the five stars, that country will perish. The Year Star signifies famine, the Mars Star signifies turmoil, the Fill Star signifies slaughter, the Jupiter Star signifies wars among powerful nations, and the Chen Star signifies female insurrection. If all five stars enter the moon, there will be a scenario of mutual pursuit in the wild. When the Jupiter Star rises, the generals will be killed.
Five stars gather together, the king of that country will be followed by all. The Star of Justice commands respect, the Star of Etiquette serves the people, the Star of Prestige serves the people, the Star of Force serves the people, the Star of Law serves the people, each managing the realm in their own way. If three stars align, it is referred to as "Startling and Still"; there will be war inside and outside the country, and heaven will punish the people by replacing their princes and kings. If four stars align, it is known as "the Sun"; the country will suffer defeat and rebellion, gentlemen will worry, and villains will flee. If five stars align, it is called "Easy Passage"; virtuous individuals will be honored, a new king will be appointed, unifying the realm, and future generations will thrive; those without virtue will suffer calamity, lose their country, destroy their ancestral temples, scatter the people, and flee everywhere. If all five stars are large, great things will happen; if they are small, then things will be minor.
It is said that these five stars, each with different colors, if the white one is round, it signifies impending funerals and droughts. If the red star is uneven, it signals war, causing anxiety among all. Blue represents floods; black signifies plague and many deaths; only yellow is a good omen. Look, if all five stars have horns, and the red star is charging towards our city, the yellow star indicates land disputes, the white star indicates cries of mourning, the blue star signifies war and distress, and the black star indicates floods. However, if all five stars share the same color, the world will enjoy peace; everyone will live harmoniously, celebrating without disasters, and the harvests will be plentiful.
Next, let's talk about the speed of the five planets' movement. It's problematic if it's too slow or too fast. If they move in the opposite direction, it could be disastrous. For example, if Mars moves too slowly, it can't enter the ecliptic. If it moves too fast, it can't exit. If it strays off course, trouble is certain. If Saturn moves too slowly, it can't return; if it moves too fast, it overshoots, and if it deviates, trouble will follow. If Venus moves too slowly, it can't come out; if it moves too fast, it can't enter, and if it deviates, trouble will follow. If Mercury moves too slowly, it can't come out; if it moves too fast, it can't enter, and if the timing is wrong, trouble will follow. In short, as long as the five planets move according to the rules, there will be a bountiful harvest every year.
If the five planets align in the east, it's a boon for China; if they align in the west, it's advantageous for foreign nations. When they align, it's considered a good omen in times of war. If Mercury isn't visible, Venus takes the spotlight; if Mercury shows up, Venus plays a supporting role. If both Mercury and Venus appear but are not together and go in different directions, this is known as "separation," meaning there are troops in the field but no war will break out.
The five planets represent the five virtues, sometimes moving within the ecliptic, sometimes outside, just like the phases of the moon. Ultimately, they still follow the path of the five elements, which can't be figured out with basic math. Moving east is called direct motion, moving west is called retrograde motion. Direct motion is fast, retrograde motion is slow, but overall, they still move eastward. Remaining stationary is called "stationary"; being too close to the sun and becoming invisible is referred to as "combust"; moving to the same degree as the sun is called "conjunction." Their movements include stops, motion, retrograde, direct, occultation, conjunction, opposition, square, sextile, change of color, rays, and aspects, all related to the political situation, the five elements, the five senses, and the five matters, indicating the fortunes or misfortunes that arise from these changes.
Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn move quite slowly, and you can only see them crossing the sky at midnight. Initially, they moved at about the same speed as the Sun, but gradually they slowed down and could no longer catch up with the Sun, which is why they can be seen rising in the east in the morning. They are getting farther from the Sun, and by the time it approaches midday, they come to a standstill. After a period of pause, they begin moving in retrograde after midday. As they retrograde towards evening, nearing noon, they stop again. After pausing, they begin moving forward again, first slowly and then quickly, until they set in the west at night, after which they align with the Sun. Venus and Mercury move very quickly and do not cross the sky. From the beginning, they appear together with the Sun, but they move faster than the Sun and can be seen in the west in the evening. They are getting farther from the Sun, and as evening approaches in the south, their speed slows down, eventually coming to a halt. After pausing, they come close to the Sun and begin to move in retrograde until they align with the Sun and move behind it. They can be seen in the east in the morning. After retrograding to their furthest point, they stop and then slow down again. When they slow down significantly and move a bit farther from the Sun, they speed up to catch up with the Sun as morning approaches in the south, setting in the east at dawn and then aligning with the Sun once more. This describes the pattern of the five planets appearing together, their varying speeds, movement directions, and pauses.
Dusk and dawn are the times of the most significant yin and yang changes; the south is where the Sun is located, and it's also where the laws of heaven and earth play out. When the seven celestial bodies (the Sun, Moon, and five planets) reach the Sun's position, which is where the laws of heaven and earth operate, phenomena such as loss, deviation, pause, and retrograde will occur, but they won't stay there for long. This is the usual behavior of celestial bodies. Three planets cross the sky while two do not; this illustrates the principle of heaven and earth's three heavens and two lands.
The appearance, disappearance, pause, and movement of the five planets, their directions and speeds, if they all conform to the calculated orbits of the calendar, then it is considered normal celestial movement and the political situation is stable. If their calculated orbits are violated, and there are irregularities in their movements, it is considered abnormal operation. Abnormal operation will lead to the appearance of ominous signs such as malicious stars, comets, and other ominous signs, leading to the downfall of nations, regime changes, wars, famines, disasters, and other calamities. In ancient times, people observed that the five planets always moved in the same direction until the Qin Dynasty discovered that Venus and Mars sometimes move in retrograde. Furthermore, the Gan and Shi families had different records of celestial phenomena. It was not until the early Han Dynasty that the systematic study of celestial phenomena began, revealing that all five planets can move in retrograde, yet few later generations truly grasped the underlying principles.
By the end of the Wei Dynasty, there was a scholar named Zhang Zixin from Qinghe, who was exceptionally learned, especially in the fields of calendrical science and astronomy. To escape the rebellion of Ge Rong, he secluded himself on an island, dedicating himself to the meticulous observation of the subtle changes in the movements of the sun, moon, and the five planets with an armillary sphere, and through his calculations, he ultimately unraveled the mysteries of the sun and moon's conjunctions: the movements of the sun and moon exhibit varying speeds, and the appearances and disappearances of the five planets are also influenced by certain factors. He discovered that the sun moves more slowly after the vernal equinox and more quickly after the autumnal equinox; if the new moon (the first day of the lunar month) is in close proximity to the sun, a solar eclipse will occur; if it is farther away, even if they align, a solar eclipse will not happen. If the full moon (the fifteenth day of the lunar month) coincides exactly with the sun, a lunar eclipse will occur, regardless of the distance. Moreover, when the moon traverses and encounters the planets associated with Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal, it moves faster when approaching them and slower when moving away from them. The five planets exhibit distinct preferences as they traverse various constellations; when they encounter a favored constellation, they linger longer, move slower, and appear earlier; when they encounter an unfavored constellation, they linger for a shorter time, move faster, and appear later. The differences in these movement speeds can vary from as little as five degrees to over thirty degrees. Particularly, the movement and visibility of the planet Mercury is particularly peculiar. It should appear in the early morning after the Rain Water solar term and before the Beginning of Summer solar term, and in the evening after the End of Heat solar term and before the Frost's Descent solar term, yet this is not always observed in practice. During the solar terms of Awakening of Insects, Beginning of Summer, Beginning of Autumn, and Frost's Descent, if the angular distance between Mercury and the sun, in the early morning or evening, falls within thirty-six degrees but exceeds eighteen degrees, and one of the planets associated with Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal appears, Mercury can be seen; if no other planets appear, Mercury cannot be seen. Subsequently, scholars including Zhang Zhouxuan, Liu Xiaosun, and Liu Zhuo, building upon Zhang Zixin's discoveries, accurately calculated the times of solar and lunar conjunctions and eclipses, as well as the appearances and movements of the five planets, which closely aligned with actual celestial phenomena, a feat previously unattained by ancient scholars.
During the Liang Dynasty, Feng Chaoqing, also known as Zu Xing, was ordered to collect the records and ancient theories of the astronomy officials and compiled the "Tianwen Lu" in thirty volumes during the Liang Tianjian period. Later, after the Zhou Dynasty conquered the Liang Dynasty, they appointed Yu Jicai as the Tai Shiling, and he wrote the "Lingtai Mi Yuan" in one hundred and twenty volumes, providing more comprehensive accounts of divination. I won’t delve into the details of the various types of stars—such as miscellaneous stars, auspicious stars, evil stars, guest stars, meteors, and cloud formations—but will only mention a few important ones.
First is the Jingxing, which is shaped like half a moon and appears on the last day or the first day of the lunar calendar, aiding the moon's glow. Some say the Jingxing is immense and hollow in the center; others say that Jingxing is composed of three stars, located in the red square gas (a type of star pattern) and connected to the blue square gas, with one yellow star in the red square gas, also referred to as the De Star. Next is the Zhoubo Star, which is yellow in color and shines brightly, signifying prosperity for the nation it graces. Lastly, there is the Hanyu Star, shining as brightly as a comet, appearing when the country prospers.
In the first scenario, stars are seen during the day. If stars appear together with the sun, it is called "marrying the daughter." When stars and the sun compete in brightness, military power will weaken, civil rule will prosper, women will govern, resulting in funerals in the cities and conflicts in the countryside. Another interpretation suggests that if stars are visible during the day while rainbows persist, the ministers are upright and honest, and the stars will outshine the sun, indicating the emergence of a new king.
In the second scenario, fixed stars are not visible. Fixed stars represent the ruling monarch. If the fixed stars are not visible, it symbolizes the betrayal of vassals, failure to assist the king, and disregard for laws, resulting in a power vacuum. Another interpretation is that the absence of fixed stars could also indicate the emperor's failure to govern, allowing vassals to act with impunity. If both the fixed stars and constellations are not visible, it represents the decline and eventual downfall of the vassals in the central plains.
In the third situation, the falling stars signify great disorder in the world.
In the fourth situation, the swaying stars foretell that the people will suffer.
In the fifth situation, the stars fall. When the great stars fall, the sun loses its position, which is a sign of disaster. There is also a saying that when many stars fall, people will lose their positions. Wherever stars fall, that country will change dynasties. Another saying is that in places where stars fall, there will be battlefields, and great chaos will last for three years. There is also a saying that rapidly falling stars will herald war, and in places where the constellations fall, the nation will face destruction, and when many stars fall, the people will die in large numbers. Another saying is that when the "Filling Star" falls, the sea will flood; when the "Yellow Star" falls, the sea will surge. Some also say that when the "Maben" star falls, the Bohai Sea will breach its dikes. Stars fall like rain, the emperor grows weak, and the feudal lords compete for power and profit, five hegemons take turns dominating, forming alliances, the strong devour the weak, and the world falls into chaos. Another saying is that when the stars leave the sky, it is like the people leaving their king. When the king loses virtue and the laws are neglected, the people will rebel. Thus, the falling stars from the sky signify this omen. When the country faces great calamities, the stars will fall as if they were birds and beasts. When the world is about to perish, the stars will descend like swarms of flying insects. When there is a great war in the world, the stars will rain down as gold and iron. When there is great flooding, the stars will fall like soil. When the ruler falls, and there is war, the stars will fall like grass and trees. When war breaks out, and the ruler perishes, the stars will fall as sand. Stars that fall in the shape of humans symbolize the duality of good and evil, just as people say. Another saying is that when the country experiences a significant loss, the stars will fall as dragons.
The so-called "evil star" is actually an abnormal phenomenon caused by the qi of the five elements and the movement of the five stars. The direction and color of its appearance can predict which country will face misfortune. By divining based on the day and color of its appearance, one can know which country will prosper and which will decline. Generally speaking, the places where the evil star appears are those countries with political corruption and deteriorating manners, indicating that disasters like wars, famine, droughts, and plagues will inevitably follow.
Moreover, the shapes of the evil stars vary, but the disasters they bring are equally severe. A demonic star typically appears for no more than a year; if it persists for three years, it signals major events, which could result in the downfall of nations and the massacre of cities. Kings may die, chaos will ensue, soldiers will roam, and the battlefield will be strewn with corpses. Even if the disaster temporarily subsides, disasters like droughts, wars, famine, and plagues will inevitably follow. The size of the comet dictates the severity and duration of the resulting disasters. If it measures between three and five feet, the disaster will last one hundred days; five feet to about ten feet lasts for one year; about ten feet to thirty feet lasts for three years; thirty feet to fifty feet lasts for five years; fifty feet to seventy feet lasts for seven years; and over seventy feet lasts for nine years. By observing closely, one can predict disasters with remarkable accuracy.
Comet, also known as a "sweeping star" in folklore, resembles a star but has a tail like a broom. Some are just a few inches long, while others can stretch across the sky. The appearance of a comet often heralds war and flooding, like a broom that sweeps away the old to make way for the new. Comets can also display five colors, each associated with the direction dominated by the essence of the five elements. Historical records indicate that comets do not emit their own light but are visible by reflecting sunlight. Thus, when seen in the evening, the tail points east; in the morning, it points west. When located on either side of the sun, the tail direction changes with the sun's light. The brightness and length of a comet's tail can vary unpredictably, and wherever its light shines, disasters are likely to follow.
Now, let's talk about a bolide, or a type of comet. If a comet's tail points in one direction, it remains a comet, but if its light scatters widely, it becomes a bolide. Bolides appear quite unusual and are symbols of bad omens. If a country experiences no major internal disturbances, it may face significant external wars. When feudal lords conspire and plot against one another, it inevitably leads to great harm. As Yanzi once warned, "If Your Majesty does not repent, bolides will appear. What is there to fear about comets?" It is evident that the disasters brought by bolides are even more severe than those caused by comets.
In the sky, the essence of the Year Star has manifested in various star patterns, including Tian Bo, Tian Qiang, Tian Hua, Tian Chong, Guo Huang, and Fan Deng. First, let's discuss Tian Bo, also referred to as Jue Xing or Tian Ge. It resembles a star with a pointed tip, stretching an impressive four zhang long! It is linked to military failures and fierce conflicts. Some believe that when Tian Bo appears, the country will face misfortune, and major events or wars should be avoided. Others claim that within three months of its appearance, an army is likely to be defeated and cities will fall. Some say that when Tian Bo appears, women will come to power. However, the fundamental meaning of this star pattern is fundamentally tied to the rulers of a country.
Next is the Celestial Spear, which governs capture and control. Some say it drags clouds like a bull does, while others say it flies with clouds like a horse. Some say it's like a long spear with sharp ends on both sides, several yards long! The Celestial Warden, similar to the Celestial Spear, is similarly sharp and about ten feet long. Then there is the Celestial Troublemaker, which brings disaster. Some say if the emperor acts recklessly, goes against the natural order, and harms the people, then the Celestial Troublemaker will appear.
The Celestial Basher looks like a person, dressed in blue with a red head, standing still. It is in charge of the overthrow of power. Some say when the Celestial Basher appears, ministers will conspire, and the army will rebel. Another belief is that the Celestial Basher will embrace the North Star and weep before the emperor, and a bloody mist will descend on the world, resulting in a great injustice.
Next is the National Sovereign Star, believed to have formed from the dispersal of the Mechanism Star. This National Sovereign Star is large and red, similar to the Southern Elder Star. It is in charge of vanquishing treachery, internal discord, and calamities. Its appearance heralds the onset of war and chaos! Some say this star hovers just one or two yards above the ground, resembling a burning torch. (By the way, there is also a Guest Star sharing the same name but bearing different omens.)
Lastly, there is the Rebel Star, in charge of rebellion and division. These stars are all of the essence of the Lesser Yang, belonging to the type of Situ Stars, located in the region of the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon. If someone rebels, becomes tyrannical, harms the people, or loses power in the spring, the Rebel Star will manifest at a specific moment. In short, these stars are all connected to the ruler's campaigns.
Speaking of the Wandering Star, its essence manifests into several star forms, specifically Xidan, Chiyou Banner, Zhaoming, Siwei, and the Celestial Warden.
First, let's discuss the Xidan, also known as the Zhaodan. Its appearance is said to be a sign of national decline. There is also a saying that when the Xidan suddenly appears in the sky, stretching a hundred feet long like a ship's oar, it foretells that the ministers will be executed.
Next, let's talk about the Chiyou flag. Some say it is formed by the scattering of rotating stars, while others say it is generated by the movement of five stars. It resembles a comet, but twists and turns like a flag. There is also a belief that when the sky is clear for miles and suddenly a red cloud appears, that is the Chiyou flag; or that the Chiyou flag resembles a winnowing basket, reaching two zhang in length with a star at the end; or that it appears in times of national chaos and corruption, like a cluster of tall bamboo, with yellow at the top and white at the bottom, foretelling the execution of traitorous officials; it's also believed that the Chiyou flag appears when the emperor is about to become enraged; or when a tyrant is about to seize power, the Chiyou flag will also appear; some say it originally looked like a star, but later became twisted like a flag, reaching two or three zhang in length. Its appearance signifies either a king mobilizing troops for battle or an impending national disaster.
Next is Zhao Ming, a transformation of the five stars in the west, representing the essence of gold. Some say it is formed from the splitting of a red comet. When the light of Zhao Ming fades, it resembles the Tai Bai star, with seven rays, signaling the rise of a hegemon. Another theory suggests it forms from the dispersal of a machine star; alternatively, in the west, a star appears, looking about six zhang away from the ground, shining brightly like Tai Bai star, constantly moving; upon closer observation, it is red. This is the wild star of the west known as Zhao Ming. Its appearance indicates a major war, and where it appears, there will be funerals underneath. If it appears in the south, countries in the west will lose territory. Some say Zhao Ming, like Tai Bai, remains still, indicating the rise of a virtuous person; or, in the west, a large and white star appears, with horns, looking downwards. This is Zhao Ming, the essence of gold; its appearance will bring war. If it stays near the Fang Xiu star, the country will experience funerals, and even a tragic massacre. When Zhao Ming falls, it transforms into a celestial dog, and where it falls, there will be a large-scale war, with blood flowing like a river.
Next is Si Wei. Some say it is formed by the dispersal of a machine star, while others say it is formed by the gas of a white comet. Si Wei moves steadily, indicating significant internal conflicts within the nation. Some claim Si Wei is large, hairy, and has two horns; or, it is like Tai Bai star, constantly moving, and upon closer observation, it is red. When Si Wei appears, a powerful country will prosper, indicating an attack on powerful lords. Another theory states that when Si Wei appears, it signifies the ruler's immorality, and eight years later, heroes will rise in rebellion; the emperor will lose his throne due to his injustice, and capable ministers will support a virtuous monarch. Some say that when Si Wei appears, the countries below will kill each other. Another theory posits that when Si Wei appears in the due west, it is the wild star of the west, about six zhang away from the ground, large and white, like Tai Bai star. Some believe its appearance heralds war, leading to the rise of powerful nations; while others view Si Wei's appearance as an ominous sign, predicting conflict below, which is highly unfavorable.
The last is the Tianchan Star, which is small and white, often moving, known as the Star of Violence and Slaughter, signifying death and punishment. Some believe that the appearance of Tianchan signifies women in power, but in reality, they serve men. Another saying is that when Tianchan appears, there will be infighting, wars, and famines, with widespread desolation and scattered bones everywhere. Some people say that when Tianchan appears, there will be internal rebellions; or that it is the essence of the sun itself, appearing in the region of the Seven Mansions of the Red Bird, indicating rebellion, tyranny, and the rulers losing their grip on the Xia Dynasty's power.
Ancient astronomers believed that there were special celestial phenomena in the sky that foretold disasters on earth. They named these celestial phenomena as Five Ruins, Six Thieves, Yuhans, Dabe, Zhaoxing, Chulu, Fuxing, Xunshi, and Jijiu, a total of nine kinds. First is the Five Ruins star. Some describe the Five Ruins star as resembling tree branches, with a main trunk branching out into five branches. Legend has it that nine years after its appearance, evil will emerge; twenty-seven years later, the world will descend into chaos, becoming uncontrollable. Another saying is that the Five Ruins star is the result of changes in the energy of the Five Elements, appearing directly in the east, symbolizing wood qi. Some describe it as appearing directly in the east, similar to the Morning Star, six to seven zhang above the ground, large and white, indicating disaster and death. Others say it appears in the east, six zhang above the ground, large and red, with a faint greenish hue upon closer inspection. Another saying is that this star is encircled by a blue halo, resembling fur, somewhat like the Suixing, a wild star in the east called the Five Ruins. Its appearance heralds the onset of large-scale wars, with funerals taking place in its vicinity. If it appears in the north, countries in the east will lose territory. Another saying is that when the Five Ruins star appears, the Four Barbarians will weaken, and the emperor will confront pressing military challenges. In summary, the Five Ruins star is large and reddish, frequently shifting, and upon closer inspection, reveals a greenish hue, heralding the onset of war.
Next is the Six Thieves Star. It is also a manifestation of the five elements, appearing in the south, symbolizing the fire element. Some say it looks like a comet. Some describe it as appearing in the south, six zhang in the air, red and constantly moving. Upon careful observation, it can be seen shining, somewhat like a wandering star of the south, called the Six Thieves. Its appearance signifies war and turmoil in the country, and funerals are said to occur where it appears. If it appears in the east, the southern country will lose territory. Another belief is that the Six Thieves Star appears in the south, six zhang in the air, large and red, constantly moving and shining brightly.
Next is the Prisoner Han Star, also known as the Xian Han Star. Some say it is formed by the dispersal of the authority star. Others believe it is generated by the five elements in the north, symbolizing the water element. The Prisoner Han Star is green with red, with three comets arranged in various directions below, foretelling the king's pursuit or assassination. Some describe it as appearing in the north, six zhang in the air, large and red, constantly moving, appearing dark green when observed closely, somewhat like the planet Jupiter, known as Xian Han, the wandering star of the north. Its appearance signifies the outbreak of war, and funerals are said to occur where it appears. If it appears in the west, the northern country will lose territory. Another belief is that the movement of the Prisoner Han Star causes panic among the princes, and its appearance signals treacherous events.
The appearance of the Da Ben Star indicates riots and clashes; the Zhao Star foretells chaos in the realm; the Chu Star predicts turmoil in the world, with rulers fleeing or being killed; some claim it suggests that rulers may have to resolve issues on their own, with no escape. The Fu Star appears in the southeast, resembling a plant; wherever it appears, disasters will occur. The Xun Shi Star is said by some to be formed from the scattering of the Pivot Star, while others claim it is generated by the changing of the five stars, or that it is ominous, even said to be Chi You. Another account states that it appears beside the Big Dipper, shaped like a rooster, dark blue in color, resembling a hidden turtle. Some say it is formed by the splitting of the Huang comet, heralding a new beginning. Like a rooster, it contains earthy yang energy, connecting with white; its essence embodies that of a rooster, so it is considered an omen of establishing dominance. It is said that ten years after its appearance, a sage will emerge to replace the old dynasty. It also heralds war, upheaval, and calamity; its appearance incites ministers to rebel, armies to revolt, and vassals to commit wrongdoing. Another saying is that on the Wu Xu day, one should observe the five chariot stars, Tian Jun, and Tian Ku stars; if anomalies are found, that is the Xun Shi Star. It resembles a beaked bird; its appearance heralds large-scale wars, and those who challenge it will face defeat and death. However, some also say that if it appears near the Big Dipper, a sage will be appointed, the emperor will have a long life, and the king will be blessed. Finally, there is the Ji Jiu Star, whose appearance foretells that ministers will seize control, even launching wars. Some say it is the essence of earth, within the domain of the seven stars of the Big Dipper, governing the four directions; if there are rebels, this star pattern will appear. Legend holds that the essence of the Venus Star has manifested into eight distinct star patterns: Tian Chu, Tian Deng, Fu Ling, Da Bai, Si Jian, Tian Gou, Tian Can, and Zu Qi.
First is the Celestial Pestle, which governs the rise and fall of flocks. Next is the Heavenly Shaft, which presides over the occurrence of disasters. Then there is the Spirit of Deceit, which controls the spread of slander. Once the Spirit of Deceit appears, chaos erupts across the land, and the common people suffer. The Star of Great Defeat dominates wars and conflicts, and it is said that when it appears, it strikes those who engage in schemes and tricks. The Star of Deceit heralds the rise of evil and malevolent forces.
The Celestial Dog Star has various interpretations. Some say it is formed by the convergence of five stars, appearing in the southwest, resulting from the gaseous convergence of Venus and Mars. Others say the Celestial Dog Star has fur, accompanied by small comets, and appears dog-like when viewed from below; its appearance foretells war and conscription. Another interpretation suggests that the appearance of the Celestial Dog Star indicates that five generals will soon engage in battle. Some also claim that the Celestial Dog Star is located in the northwest, spanning three zhang, formed by the gaseous intersection of Mercury and Venus. Another view is that three large and bright stars in the northwest are the Celestial Dog Star. The appearance of the Celestial Dog Star foretells a large-scale outbreak of war, famine across the land, and even the horrific tragedy of cannibalism. It is said that wherever the Celestial Dog Star lands, a fierce war will inevitably occur, armies will be defeated, soldiers will be killed, corpses will cover the fields, blood will flow in rivers, and the Celestial Dog Star will consume this bloodshed. These disasters can occur within a year, or, in severe cases, within two years, or at most three years. The specific year of occurrence is determined by where the Celestial Dog Star lands, used to deduce fortune or misfortune. (The Celestial Dog Star mentioned later among meteors shares the same name but has slightly different omens.)
The Star of Remnant Heaven governs greed and brutality. Finally, the Star of Sudden Rise signifies that chaos may occur at any time, with signs of various disasters already emerging, and ministers will hold great power. Some also say that the Star of Sudden Rise is the essence of the Lesser Yin, akin to the Grand Marshal of ancient times, located in the area of the Seven Stars of the White Tiger, foretelling rebellion and the calamity of tyranny, presiding over the mistakes in autumn’s governance. Its appearance, like the other celestial phenomena previously mentioned, is also a harbinger of chaos.
In legend, the essence of the planet Chén is dispersed into seven celestial phenomena: the Wandering Arrow, the Broken Woman, the Turning Pivot, the Extinguished Treasure, the Circling Court, the Startling Principle, and the Great Sacrifice. First, let’s talk about the Wandering Arrow. Some say it comes from the transformation of the Filling Star, others say it is formed from the scattering of the Cycle Star, and some claim it arises from the changes in the movements of the five stars. It takes the form of a bow or a large meteor, gray-black in color, slithering through the sky like a snake, with the appearance of hair and eyes, several yards of cloth in length, hanging in the sky. Its appearance heralds rebellion and signifies that foolish people will be shot. Others say it is formed from the splitting of a black comet; the meaning of Wandering Arrow is to shoot, and its emergence indicates the mustering of rebel forces. Those struck down are caught in a cycle of chaos, fighting chaos with chaos. Another interpretation suggests that if a ruler is despotic, the Wandering Arrow will appear. There is also a viewpoint that the Wandering Arrow looks like a meteor, appearing with a tail and eyes, several yards of cloth in length, shining brightly in the sky. When it appears, great wars will break out, generals will go to battle, and bows and arrows will be used in large numbers, lasting about three years. In short, wherever the Wandering Arrow touches, rebellion will sweep across the land, heralding doom.
The appearance of the Broken Woman Star signifies that both rulers and their subjects will face execution, symbolizing victory. The appearance of the Disruptive Star heralds chaos in the realm, causing disturbance and disorder. Some believe the Disruptive Star governs seasonal changes. The appearance of the Annihilating Star signifies mutual slaughter. Others say that the Annihilating Star foreshadows war. The appearance of the Surrounding Court Star indicates the rise of chaos. The appearance of the Startling Principle Star indicates the appointment of ministers. The appearance of the Great Sacrifice Star signifies the provocation of evil spirits. Some also say that the appearance of the Great Sacrifice Star signifies peace. The essence of the Moon, within the realm of the Seven Stars of the Black Tortoise, if rebellion or tyranny disrupts the governance of winter, then the consequences will align with the predictions of the divination, and calamity will be realized. Another belief is that five essences lie hidden in water pools, all revealing their faults in unusual ways, with deviant behavior where subordinates imitate and seize opportunities to harm, all of which are signs of destruction. If it enters the emperor's constellation, it foretells annihilation, and five hundred lords will conspire to revolt.
The Heavenly Edge Star, resembling the spearhead of a comet, signifies conflicts in the world. Whenever conflicts arise in the realm, the Heavenly Edge Star will emerge. The Candle Star, resembling the Venus Star, appears motionless before vanishing swiftly. Some say that three comets appear alongside the main star. Where the Candle Star appears, that city will face rebellion. Others say that in the areas illuminated by the Candle Star, chaos will ensue. Another belief is that in the presence of the Candle Star, great thieves may emerge, but they will ultimately fail.
Let's talk about the strange stars in the sky; there are numerous records about them. First, there is the Peng Star, sometimes referred to as the Wang Star. It looks like a glowing light at night, and sometimes you can see four or five of them, while other times only one or two. Some say the Peng Star is in the southwest direction, several zhang in length, with pointed ends, and its position does not change much after it appears. Others say there is a type of star that is yellowish-white, no longer than three feet, called the Peng Star. There are also those who say the Peng Star resembles a fluffy ball, and if it appears, those who possess wisdom will rise to prominence, common people will rise to prominence, and the world will be peaceful with abundant harvests. However, some say that when the Peng Star appears near the Big Dipper, the lords will fight for territory, and the countries that lose their territories will face ruin, leading to war. After this star appears, results will manifest within three years. Another saying is that if the Peng Star appears in the Taiwei Courtyard (the palace of the Heavenly Emperor), the emperor will establish a new king.
Next is the Chang Geng Star, which looks like a piece of cloth hanging in the sky. The appearance of this star signals that war is imminent.
Now let's talk about the Si Tian Star. This star appears in the four corners of the heavens, over six zhang high. Some say it is four zhang, while others say it is two zhang, large and red, generally appearing at midnight. When the Si Tian Star emerges, war is likely to break out within ten months. Some say that if the Si Tian Star appears in any of the four corners, war will occur in that direction.
Then there is the Di Wei Zang Guang Star. This star represents the essence of the five elements, produced from the earth's energy of the four seasons. Some say there is a type of star that is large and red, two to three zhang above the ground, resembling the moon; when it first appears, it is called Di Wei Zang Guang. This star can appear in any of the four corners, appearing to be four zhang above the ground, red-yellow, and it will tremble, much like the Si Tian Star. This is the wild star of the center; when it appears in the four corners, it is called Di Wei Zang Guang. If it appears in the northeast corner, a great flood will occur; in the southeast corner, there will be a great drought; in the southwest corner, there will be war; in the northwest corner, there will be great chaos and large-scale wars. Some also say that when the Di Wei Zang Guang Star appears, evildoers will face their downfall, while the virtuous will thrive.
Let's talk about the Nübo Star. The Nübo Star is produced by the intersection and transformation of the five stars, appearing in the northeast, resulting from the mingling of water and wood energies. Some say that when a star appears in the northeast, measuring three zhang in length, it is called the Nübo Star, and its appearance signifies that wars will break out or that a significant figure has died. Another explanation is that when a large star appears in the northeast, it is called the Nübo Star, and its appearance indicates the death of a major figure.
As for the Daoxing Star, it is also produced by the intersection and transformation of the five stars, appearing in the southeast, resulting from the mingling of fire and wood energies. Some say that when a star appears in the southeast, measuring three zhang in length, it is called the Daoxing Star, and its appearance signifies that many thieves will arise, and bandits will be rampant.
Finally, there is the Jiling Star, which, like the others, is formed through the intersection and transformation of the five stars, appearing in the northwest, resulting from the mingling of metal and water energies. Some say that when a star appears in the southwest, measuring three zhang in length, it is called the Jiling Star, and its appearance foretells frost, the outbreak of wars, crop failures, and widespread hunger.
Speaking of celestial phenomena, it's quite mysterious. First, there is the "Duan Star," which is formed from the gathering of the five stars, appearing in the four corners, with a large red star in each corner. Upon closer inspection, the center is yellow, and this star is perpetually on the move, measuring about four zhang! This reflects the energy of the earth, related to the four seasons, and is called the "Four Corner Duan Star." When this star appears, it surely means war!
Then there is "Hunchang," where a star appears in the northwest, surrounded by a blue and red halo, with red in the center and blue on the outside. This is "Hunchang." When this star appears, it signifies that wars will erupt, and the country will change leadership. Those who rise up first will win, while those who rise up later will face disaster. If the star is ten zhang high, there will be chaos for a year; if it is twenty zhang high, there will be chaos for two years; if it is thirty zhang high, there will be chaos for three years.
Next, let's talk about the "Shen Star," which appears in the northwest and appears to have two rings, called "Shanqin." When this star appears, the feudal lords will lose their territories, especially the countries in the northwest should be cautious. The "Bai Star" looks like a star but is not a star, resembling a cut melon, suggesting a victory, yet its appearance is not favorable for men.
Next comes "Tuchang," known as the "Tuchang Star," located in the northwest, surrounded by red and blue halos, which serves as a portent of disaster, with blue symbolizing water. The appearance of this star heralds significant changes in the world. The "Geze" star resembles a fiery orb; some say it is yellow on top and white on the bottom, rising from the ground, wide at the base and tapering to a point. Its appearance promises a bountiful harvest, even without farming! Others suggest it signifies either civil engineering projects or the arrival of important figures from neighboring countries, occurring within a year or two. Another interpretation is that the "Geze" star, red like fire, burns in the sky, with the same color above and below, stretching east to west, and roughly similar in the north-south direction, about four to five miles long! This star is believed to be a manifestation of a comet, and its appearance will surely bring war, with corpses strewn across the land and rivers of blood, leading to three years of chaos!
The "Guixie" star resembles a star yet is not truly a star; it appears cloud-like but isn't a cloud either. Some say it is two red comets flying upward, featuring a gaseous cap above, connected to a star below. Another interpretation suggests that its appearance heralds the surrender of a nation. The "Meng Star" appears at night, emitting red gas that resembles military flags, varying in length, present on all sides, most notably in the southwest. Some refer to it as the "Knife Star," a symbol of conflict and chaos. Another interpretation indicates that thin clouds blanket the sky, with red-yellow gas appearing from all directions, about three feet long, flickering in and out of visibility before quickly disappearing. Others say that when the "Knife Star" appears, the world will go to war, with battles raging everywhere and rivers of blood flowing. Another interpretation states that the sky is filled with thin clouds, with eight streams of bluish-white gas emerging from all directions, about three feet long, flickering in and out of visibility.
In the Han Dynasty, Jing Fang wrote a book called "Fengjiao Shu," which features "Jixing Zhang," documenting these ominous stars that appear alongside the moon, surrounded by colorful clouds, appearing on the fifth day of the month, with each star corresponding to different clouds.
Tianqiang is born in the Dipper constellation, Tiangen is born in the Tail, Tianjing is born in the Heart, Zhenruo is born in the Room, Tianyuan is born in the Root, Tianlou is born in the Neck, Tianyuan is born in the Left Corner; these stars are all born of the Year Star (Jupiter). They appear on the day of Jia Yin, with two blue squares beside them.
Tianyin is born in the Beam, Jinruo is born in the Wing, Guanzhang is born in the Bow, Tianhuo is born in the Seven, Tianque is born in the Willow, Chiruo is born in the Ghost, Chiyou is born in the Well; these stars are all born of Mars (Mars). They appear on the Bing Yin day, with two red squares beside them.
Tianshang, Tianfa, Cong, Tianshu, Tianzhai, Tianfei, Jing comet; these stars are all born of Zhenxing (Saturn). They appear on the Wu Yin day, with two yellow squares beside them.
Ruo is born in the Can, Broom is born in the Beak, Ruohui is born in the Pi, Zhu comet is born in the Miao, Wall is born in the Stomach, Mings is born in the Lou, Baiwei is born in the Kui; these stars are all born of Venus (the Morning Star). They appear on the Geng Yin day, with two white squares beside them.
Tianmei is born in the Wall, Tianpi is born in the Room, Tiandu is born in the Danger, Tianma is born in the Void, Tianlin is born in the Female, Tiangao is born in the Cow, Duanxia is born in the Dipper; these stars are all born of Chenxing (Mercury). They appear on the Ren Yin day, with two black squares beside them.
The thirty-five stars mentioned earlier are all formed from the energy of the Five Elements and appear in the positions to the left and right of the moon. They will manifest in the days before they appear. If they are seen before they appear, it signifies impending floods, droughts, wars, funerals, famine, and turmoil, heralding the destruction of the nation, loss of territory, death of the monarch, defeat of the army, and the killing of generals.
Legend has it that in ancient times, there were five guest stars in the sky: Zhou Bo, Laozi, Wang Pengxu, Guohuang, and Wenxing. These five stars appear in different regions of twelve countries, and their positions and circumstances are used to predict fortunes and misfortunes.
The Zhou Bo star is large and yellow, shining brightly. If it appears over a country, that country will go to war, or there will be funerals, and the entire nation will face famine, causing the common people to flee. Compared to the Rui star, although the descriptions are similar, the omens are different.
The Laozi star is large and bright, with a white color that looks very gentle. Where it appears, there may be famine or disasters, but it could also bring either good or bad fortune; in short, it is unpredictable. Its appearance heralds a major war, and the monarch will experience sorrow. However, if the monarch issues a general amnesty, disasters can be averted.
The Wang Pengxu star resembles fluffy cotton, lightly floating. Where it appears, there may be wars or funerals, and many people may gather dressed in white, signaling that the country may experience famine or even collapse. There are also claims that the Wang Pengxu star is blue and shining; where it appears, the weather will be abnormal, either drought or flooding, with poor crop yields and an abundance of locusts.
The Guohuang star appears large and is yellowish-white, resembling long horns. Its appearance signifies that there will be wars, great changes in the country, and it may also lead to floods or famine. The monarch will be deeply troubled, and the common people will likely fall ill.
Wen Xing, which is white in color, is very large and appears to sway like the wind, often seen in the four corners of the sky. If it appears in the southeast direction, there will be warfare, and generals will rise up. If it appears in the northeast, a major battle will ensue. The same is true for the northwest. If it appears in the southwest, that country will go to war, possibly accompanied by floods and famine. There is also a saying that when Wen Xing appears in the southeast, it means the great general is helpless; when it appears in the northeast, bodies will be scattered for miles; when it appears in the west, it is the same.
In short, depending on where the guest star appears, if it remains, predictions of fortune or misfortune are based on its color. The larger the star, the greater the event; the smaller the star, the lesser the event. A yellow star represents a good omen, a white star represents a funeral, a blue star represents sorrow, a black star represents death, and a red star represents war. Based on these five colors for predictions, it generally does not exceed three years. Another belief is that if the guest star enters the official domain of the constellation, events are inferred based on where it appears and the official position. The direction it moves indicates the trajectory of the event, and the countries corresponding to it will suffer. Time is determined by the constellation it occupies, and the interactions of the five elements dictate the outcome of events.
Ah, meteors are really just angels! When they fall from the sky, we call it "falling," and when they fly up from below, we call it "flying." The big ones are referred to as "rushing," and rushing is also a type of meteor. The size of a meteor reflects the importance of what it represents. If it makes a rumbling sound, that means anger is in the air! If it moves quickly, things move fast; if it moves slowly, things drag on. Big, dim meteors represent the common folks; small, bright ones are linked to the nobility; big, bright ones involve both power and many people. Flickering ones signal that bad folks are about to face their doom. A big head and a small tail suggest worry and fear; a small head and a big tail mean good things are on the way! Those that slither like a snake symbolize treachery. If it zooms away, it’s gone for good. Long meteors suggest long-lasting events, while short ones mean things will wrap up quickly. When a meteor falls, wars are bound to happen. If meteors suddenly show up without any wind or clouds and stick around for a while, then a strong wind will blow in, tearing up houses and snapping branches. If a bunch of small meteors are darting around, the common folks will have to pack up and move. Different meteor shapes give different divination results, all of which I've come across in ancient texts and 'Jingzhou Divination.'
The tail of a meteor can be two or three zhang in length, shining brightly, soaring straight up into the sky! The white ones are the monarch's messengers; the red ones are messengers sent by the general. Meteors emit a yellowish-white light, and when they fall from the sky, there is a sound, like a burning torch falling to the ground, making the pheasants cry out. This is a divine blessing! Where meteors fall, the country will be safe and happy, and there may even be a prosperous harvest of water resources! Blue-red meteors, known as "ground geese," will herald rebellions in the places they fall. Blue-red meteors, measuring two or three zhang in length, are known as "sky geese," symbolizing the elite forces! The country where they land will experience uprisings, and the generals will follow the direction of the meteors. Meteors shining brightly, white, long, and soaring straight up into the sky, are the stars of the monarch, and the commander-in-chief and the army must follow the direction of the meteors. In summary, if a meteor is as large as a big vat, it signifies that a rebellion is imminent; if it is as large as a peach, it indicates that someone has been dispatched on a mission. If a meteor is as big as a large jar, emitting a reddish-black light and resembling a bird's beak, this is referred to as "Liangxing," and where it falls, war will ensue, resulting in the monarch losing territory.
Legend has it that a kind of flying star appears in the sky, the size of a large jar or urn, radiating white light from behind, with the front low and the back high; this phenomenon is known as "Dun Wan." The appearance of this star often heralds many deaths, and cities often fall without a struggle. Another type of flying star, also the size of a large jar, shines with white light from behind, low in the front and high in the back, swaying and bobbing up and down; this is referred to as "Jiang Shi." When it falls, the people will face famine. There is yet another type of flying star, the same size and color, but after the starlight disappears, the white light will curve and circle like a wheel; this is called "Jie Xian." In the country where this star appears, people will kill each other to vie for titles and salaries. There is also a type of flying star, with white light radiating from behind, stretching several zhang in length; after the starlight disappears, the white light will turn into clouds that drift down. This is known as "Da Hua," and where it falls, blood will flow like rivers, and bones will be piled high. Another type of flying star, also with bright white light, can reach over ten zhang in length and is curved; this is called "Tian Xing," also known as "Tian Shi." When this star appears, generals will be rewarded with land.
Now, let's discuss the "celestial dog." It looks like a fast-flying star, yellow in color, and emits sounds. Where it lands, it resembles a dog, and where it falls, it resembles a blazing fire, shooting straight up into the sky, sharp on top and round below, approximately as large as several acres. Some say this star has fur, with short comets next to it and a shape resembling a dog below. Others say that when this star appears, it is red and white, shining brightly, and after landing, it turns into a celestial dog. Another belief is that meteors emit light and can reflect people's faces, falling silently as if they have legs, and are also known as celestial dogs. Its color is white, with a yellow interior, resembling embers. The appearance of the celestial dog forebodes war and the suppression of bandits. After its appearance, all sides will attack each other, with defeat and death within a thousand miles. Some say that when five stars battle among themselves, devouring one another, wherever they pass, rivers of blood will flow. The rulers of the nation will lose territory, and wars will erupt, leading to political power changing hands, necessitating increased vigilance. My divination results are the same as before.
There is also a star called "camp star." It looks like a mountain collapsing, with rolling clouds, referred to as the "camp star." Where it falls, the army below will be completely destroyed, with bloodshed spanning miles. Some say that a meteor falling during the day is called the camp star.
Finally, let's talk about auspicious signs. One is called "celebratory clouds," like smoke but not smoke, like clouds but not clouds, lush and scattered, also referred to as celebratory clouds or auspicious clouds. This signifies joy and symbolizes a time of peace and prosperity. Another is termed "prosperous light," which is red like a dragon. This auspicious sign appears during the rise of sages and the passing of emperors.
The first bad omen is the rainbow that appears beside the sun. This foretells impending internal strife, confusion among the populace, a ruler given to debauchery, ministers conspiring against the ruler, the emperor being dominated by the empress or his concubines, or the ruler's obsession with women, surrounded by numerous wives and concubines. The second bad omen is a cloud resembling a dog, red in color, with a long tail, signaling the rise of a tyrant, leading to disaster and chaos from warfare. These signs portend a time of great turmoil and unrest.
