Ma Wang Dui Han Mu Bo Shu Wu Xing Zhan (馬王堆漢墓帛書五星占)

東方木，其帝大浩（昊），其丞句■（芒），其神上為歲星。歲處一國，是司歲。

The east belongs to the Wood element. Its heavenly sovereign is Tai Hao, and its assisting deity is Gu Mu. The celestial spirit associated with it is the Star of Years (Jupiter). The Star of Years stays in one of the regions for a year, governing the harvest of that year. In the text, under the entry "Da Hao," a bracketed note uses the commonly accepted character "Hao." Under "Ju," the character "■" is a damaged character from the silk manuscript, and the note "Mang" is a restoration by the editor based on meaning. This book follows the original interpretation, with all bracketed characters being the editor's readings or restorations, and square brackets indicating damage in the original manuscript. The entire text first establishes the framework of the Five Phases corresponding to the five directions, five emperors, five assistants, and five planets, and then proceeds to list the movements and divinatory meanings of each planet.

歲星以正月與營室晨〔出東方，其名為攝提格。其明歲以二月與東壁晨出東方，其名〕為單閼。其明歲以三月與胃晨出東方，其名為執徐。其明歲以四月與畢晨〔出〕東方，其名為大荒〔落。其明歲以五月與東井晨出東方，其名為敦牂。其明歲以六月與柳〕晨出東方，其名為汁給（協洽）。其明歲以七月與張晨出東方，其名為芮（涒灘）。其明歲〔以〕八月與軫晨出東方，其〔名為作噩〕（作鄂）。〔其明歲以九月與亢晨出東方，其名為閹茂〕。其明歲以十月與心晨出〔東方〕，其名為大淵獻。其明歲以十一月與斗晨出東方，其名為困敦。其明歲以十二月與虛〔晨出東方，其名為赤奮若。其明歲以正月與營室晨出東方〕，復為攝提〔格，十二歲〕而周。

The planet Jupiter appears in the eastern sky at dawn together with the mansion of Encampment in the first lunar month, and this year is called "She Ti Ge"; in the second lunar month, it appears with the mansion of East Wall, and this year is called "Dan Yan"; in the third lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Stomach, and this year is called "Zhi Xu"; in the fourth lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Net, and this year is called "Da Huang Luo"; in the fifth lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Well, and this year is called "Dun Zhang"; in the sixth lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Willow, and this year is called "Xie Xie"; in the seventh lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Extended Net, and this year is called "Tun Tan"; in the eighth lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Chariot, and this year is called "Zuo E"; in the ninth lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Neck, and this year is called "Yan Mao"; in the tenth lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Heart, and this year is called "Da Yuan Xian"; in the eleventh lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Dipper, and this year is called "Kun Dun"; in the twelfth lunar month, it appears with the mansion of Emptiness, and this year is called "Chi Fen Ruo". In the thirteenth lunar month, it again appears with the mansion of Encampment in the first lunar month, returning to "She Ti Ge". Thus, Jupiter takes about twelve years to circle the sky, and ancient people used it to name years, assigning a name to each year. Any text enclosed in angle brackets in the passage is a lacuna in the silk manuscript, and the editors have filled it in according to the textual pattern, such as "Zhi Ji" annotated to "Xie Xie" and "Rui" annotated to "Tun Tan", which are homophones and original characters. This book records them as they are without alteration.

皆出三百六十五日而夕入西方，伏卅日而晨出東方，凡三百九十五日百五分〔日而復出東方〕。□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□視下民公□□□羊（祥），廿五年報昌。進退左右之經度。日行廿分，十二日而行一度。歲視其色以致其□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□為相星□□列星監正，九州以次，歲十二者，天干也。營室攝提格始昌，歲星所久處者有卿（慶）。

The star of years appears in the sky for 365 days, then sets in the west in the evening, hides for 30 days, and reappears in the east in the morning. One full cycle totals 395 days and 105/60 parts of a day. The following text of the silk manuscript is damaged by more than ten characters, leaving only fragmented words such as "view the people's common good" and "auspiciousness," followed by the statement that after twenty-five years there will be prosperity. Then it discusses its movement: advancing, retreating, and moving left or right all follow regular patterns. It moves two-tenths each day, completing one degree in twelve days. Each year, one should observe its color to determine its verification. However, the text is further damaged by more than twenty characters. It mentions that it "is the minister star," which together with the fixed stars supervises the correctness of government orders, with the nine provinces sequentially assigned. One year corresponds to twelve times, which is matched with the heavenly stems. The year of the Encampment Mansion, which begins with the year of the Captive Capture, marks the beginning of prosperity. The country where the star of years lingers for a long time will have good fortune. The term "division" refers to a small unit that divides one degree into several parts. The movement of two-tenths per day, completing one degree in twelve days, precisely matches the actual observation of the star of years completing a full cycle in twelve years.

〔以正月與營室晨出東方，名曰益隱。其狀蒼蒼若有光，其國有〕德，黍稷之匿；其國失（無）德，兵甲嗇嗇，其失次以下一若〈舍〉二若〈舍〉三舍，是胃（謂）天維〈縮〉，紐，其下之〔國有憂、將亡，國傾敗；其失次以上一舍二舍三舍，是謂天〕贏，於是歲天下大水，不乃天列（裂），不，乃地動；紐亦同占。

This passage explains the divination method for the wandering of the star of years. In the year when the star of years appears in the eastern sky together with the Encampment mansion in the first month, it is called "Yi Yin." The star of years appears bluish and luminous; the country it governs is virtuous, with abundant harvests of millet and millet stored in abundance. If that country lacks virtue, then wars and military campaigns will never cease. If the star of years lags behind its expected position by one mansion, two mansions, or three mansions, this is called "Tian Su," also known as "Niu." The country under this influence will face calamities and be on the verge of destruction, with its power declining. If the star of years advances ahead of its expected position by one mansion, two mansions, or three mansions, this is called "Tian Ying." In that year, the world will experience great floods, or else the sky will split open, or else there will be a major earthquake. The divination for "Niu" is the same. The term "she" refers to the sequence of star mansions. The star of years should pass through one mansion each year. Advancing is called "Ying," lagging behind is called "Su." The phenomenon of "Ying" and "Su" is the most ominous sign in the "Five Stars Divination." In the explanatory text, the sharp brackets "〈she〉" are notes by the editor indicating the correct character. The annotations "wei" and "lie" are homophones for "wei" and "lie," respectively, and all are entered according to the original explanatory text.

視其左右以占其夭壽，□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□用兵，所往之野有卿，受歲之國不可起兵，是胃（謂）伐皇，天光其不從，其陰大凶。

Observing the situation of the star of years on either side to determine the length of life, the following text of the silk manuscript is missing more than twenty characters, leaving only the two characters 「用兵」 readable. Whenever the star of years moves to a region, that region will have good fortune and celebration; a country that receives the illumination of the star of years should not initiate warfare, which is called 「伐皇」, meaning to attack the sovereign, to wage war against what is protected by heaven. The brightness of heaven will not support it, and its dark side brings great misfortune. The star of years in star divination presides over fortune and virtue; the country it resides in is protected by it, thus warfare should not be used; this is in contrast to the star of war presiding over military affairs and the planet of calamity presiding over misfortune.

歲星出〔入不當其次，必有天襖見其所當之野，進而東北乃生彗星，進而〕東南乃生天部（棓），退而西北乃生天銺（槍），退而西南乃生天{今山}（欃）；皆不出三月，見其所當之野，其〔國凶不可舉事用兵，出而易所，當之國受〕央（殃），其國必亡。

The appearance and disappearance of the year star (Jupiter) must conform to its proper star section; if not, there must be an appearance of a heavenly demon star in the corresponding region. If it moves forward and leans toward the northeast, a comet will appear; if it moves forward and leans toward the southeast, the heavenly staff will appear; if it retreats and leans toward the northwest, the heavenly spear will appear; if it retreats and leans toward the southwest, the heavenly hook will appear. These five demon stars will appear within three months in their corresponding regions, and the country will be in danger; it is not advisable to undertake military actions. When the year star moves and changes its position, the corresponding country will suffer calamity and surely perish. The heavenly staff, heavenly spear, heavenly hook, and comet all belong to the category of demon stars. Ancient people believed they were produced by the disordered movement of the five elements, each presiding over military defeat and loss of life. The following text will explain their shapes and their respective domains. 「{今山}」 is a combined character in the silk manuscript with 「今」 on the left and 「山」 on the right, which cannot be written with common characters. The editor has noted it as 「欃」, and here it is transcribed as per the original text.

天部在東南，其來〈本〉類星，其來〈末〉銳長可四尺，是司雷大動，使□毋動，司反□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□。{彗木}（彗）星在東北，其本有星，末類彗，是司失正逆時，土□□者駕（加）之央（殃），其咎大□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□。

The Heavenly Stem "Tian Bang" appears in the Southeast direction. Its base resembles a star, and its tip is sharp, extending about four feet in length. It oversees thunderous sounds, causing something to remain unmoved, and also oversees unusual events. The text below is damaged, missing twenty characters. A comet appears in the Northeast direction. Its base has a star, and its tip resembles a broom. It oversees matters of disorder and inversion in time. Any earthworks or constructions carried out at inappropriate times will be punished with calamity, and the consequences are very severe. The text below is also damaged, missing more than ten characters. In the explanation, the brackets 「〈本〉」「〈末〉」next to "qi lai" indicate that the editor has pointed out that the original bamboo slip text should read "ben" and "mo" instead of "lai." The character "{Huimi}" is a combined character from "Huimi" and "Mu" in the bamboo slip text, and the editor notes it as "Huimi," so it is entered according to the original explanation without changing to the commonly used character.

天銺在西北，長可數丈，左□銳，是司殺不周者駕之央，其咎亡主。天{今山}在西南，其本類星，末庸，銳長數丈，是司□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□其出而易立（位），□□□□駕之央，其咎失立。

The celestial weapon known as Tian Qiang appears in the northwest, extending several zhang in length, with a sharp tip on its left side. It oversees matters of execution; if executions are incomplete, it brings calamity, and the consequence is the loss of the ruler. The celestial weapon known as Tian Zhan appears in the southwest, with its base resembling stars and its end thick and blunt, yet sharp and extending several zhang in length. The matters it oversees are partially lost due to damage to the silk manuscript, with about forty characters missing and now unknown. It is only known that when it appears and changes position, it brings calamity to the corresponding country, and the consequence is losing one's position. These four ominous stars correspond with the movement of the planet Jupiter: in the northeast, the comet is generated; in the southeast, the weapon is generated; in the northwest, the celestial weapon Qiang is generated; and in the southwest, the celestial weapon Zhan is generated. Each has different positions, shapes, and functions, making this the earliest known classification of ominous stars. Later works such as the "Records of the Grand Historian: Celestial Officials" and the "Book of Han: Astronomical Records" largely followed this system, though with more detailed classifications. The identification of these four stars depends on the distinction between "ben" and "mo": those with a base resembling stars are the weapon and Zhan, while those with a sharp, long end are Qiang and the comet. Only by considering both the shape of the base and the end, along with the direction of appearance, can one determine which of the Jupiter's irregular movements caused them. The term "li" with the note "wei" is a homonym, and is recorded according to the original text. This chapter concludes here. The section on Jupiter includes the Five Phases, the twelve age names, movement data, omens of irregular movement, and the four ominous stars, forming a complete structure that can serve as a model for the entire book.

西方金，其帝少浩（昊），其丞蓐收，其神上為太白。是司日行、{彗木}（彗）星、天夭、甲兵、水旱、死喪、□□□□道以治□□□侯王正卿之吉凶。將出發□□□。

The western direction belongs to metal, its emperor is Xiao Hao, its assisting deity is Ru Shou, and its heavenly spirit in the sky is Tai Bai (the planet Venus). Tai Bai oversees the movement of the sun, comets, heavenly omens, military equipment, droughts and floods, and deaths and funerals. It also oversees the fortune and misfortune of dukes and high officials. How it appears is indicated in the silk manuscript, but the text is damaged. Tai Bai specializes in military affairs among the five planets, so this chapter is the longest and the divination statements are the most detailed, almost forming a complete military star divination. The entire chapter can be read in five sections: first, the conjunction cycle and the regular movements of the planet; second, determining the divination of losing its place based on the time of its rising and setting; third, distinguishing virtue and punishment based on the east and west positions; fourth, determining victory or defeat based on the color and brightness of the star; fifth, judging the guest and host based on the interaction between Xiao Bai and Tai Bai. Finally, it concludes with the combined divination of the moon and the five planets. Any occurrence of "□" indicates a damaged character in the silk manuscript. The text within "〔〕" is added by the editor according to the textual pattern. The text within "（）" is the commonly used character or the original character. When reading, one must distinguish which characters are original and which are added later.

〔其紀上元、攝〕提格以正月與營室晨出東方，二百廿四日晨入東方；■（浸）行百二十日；〔夕〕出〔西方，二百廿四日夕〕入西方；伏十六日九十六分日，晨出東方。五出，為日八歲，而復與營室晨出東方。

Starting from the year of the Captive Elephant in the Upper Yuan, the bright star appears together with the Encampment Mansion at dawn in the east in the first month, and after 224 days disappears at dawn in the east; then it remains hidden for 120 days; then it appears at dusk in the west, and after another 224 days disappears at dusk in the west; it remains hidden for 16 days and 96/100 of a day, and then appears again at dawn in the east. This cycle repeats five times, totaling eight years, and returns to appearing together with the Encampment Mansion at dawn in the east. This is the famous data that five conjunction cycles of the bright star equal eight return years. The record in the silk manuscript has a very small error, making it the earliest known actual measurement of the conjunction cycle of the bright star. 「■」 is a damaged character that cannot be identified, with 「浸」 added by the editor in brackets.

太白先其時出為月食，後其時出為天夭及彗星。未〔當出而出，當入而不入，是謂失舍，天〕下興兵，所當之國亡。宜出而不出，命曰須謀。宜入而不入，天下偃兵，野有兵講，所當之國大凶。

When Tai Bai appears earlier than expected, it indicates an eclipse of the moon; if it appears later than expected, it signifies the appearance of celestial omens and comets. If it appears when it should not, or fails to disappear when it should, this is called 'shishě', meaning the country corresponding to its position will face military conflict and eventual downfall. If it should appear but does not, this is called 'xumou', meaning deliberation and planning are needed. If it should disappear but does not, the world will cease military action, yet there will still be peace talks in the fields, and the corresponding country will suffer great misfortune. The above four cases are determined by the timing of appearance and disappearance, serving as the general principle of the entire chapter. The following sections will discuss in detail the aspects of direction, color,pointed rays (hairs or rays), and mutual interference.

其出東方為德，舉事，左之御（迎）之，吉；右之倍（背）之，凶。〔出〕於〔西方為刑〕，舉事，右之倍（背）之，吉；左之御（迎）之，凶。凡是星不敢經天；經天，天下大亂，革王。其出上遝午有王國，過未及午有霸國。從西方來，陰國有之；從東方來，陽國有之。□□毋張軍。

The star Tai Bai appears in the east and is considered 'De' (favorable), at which time if one undertakes an enterprise facing it from the left it will be auspicious, but if facing it from the right it will be inauspicious. When it appears in the west and is considered 'Xing' (punishment), at which time if one undertakes an enterprise facing it from the right it will be auspicious, but if facing it from the left it will be inauspicious. This star has always been unwilling to cross the meridian; once it spans the sky, great chaos will occur and dynasties will change. When this star appears at the position of the午 (noon) position, there will be a kingdom of a sovereign; when it passes the 未 (late afternoon) position but has not yet reached the 午 position, there will be a kingdom of a hegemon. If it comes from the west, it belongs to the Yin kingdom; if it comes from the east, it belongs to the Yang kingdom. The text here is missing two characters, only remaining 'wu zhang jun' (do not deploy troops), meaning one should not array the army. The so-called Yin and Yang kingdoms are determined by dividing the countries into two groups according to the north-south position of the rising and setting of the sun and moon, an example that appears repeatedly in the following text.

有小星見太白之陰四寸以入，諸侯有陰親者；見其陽三寸以入，有小兵。兩而俱見，四寸〔以入〕，諸侯遇。在其南，在其北，四寸以入，諸侯從（縱）。在其東，〔在其〕西，四寸以入，諸侯衡。

There is a small star appearing on the dark side of the planet Venus, within four inches of it, indicating secret marital alliances among the feudal lords. If the small star appears on the bright side of Venus, within three inches of it, there will be minor military conflicts. If two small stars appear together, within four inches of each other, the feudal lords will have a meeting. If the small star appears to the south or north of Venus, within four inches, the feudal lords will form a coalition. If the small star appears to the east or west of Venus, within four inches, the feudal lords will form a balance of power. The concepts of coalition and balance of power are diplomatic strategies from the Warring States period. The use of the small star's position relative to Venus in divination suggests that this text was compiled during the Qin and Han periods, and the divination passages still carry the imprint of the Warring States era.

太白晨入東方，■（浸）行百二十日，其六十日為陽，其六十日為陰。出陰，陰伐利，戰勝。其入西方伏廿日，其旬為陰，其旬為陽。出陽，陽伐利，戰勝。□□未出兵，靜者吉，急者凶，先興兵者殘〔後興兵〕者有央（殃），得地復歸之。

When the bright star appears in the east in the morning and disappears, it remains hidden for 120 days. The first 60 days belong to yang, and the last 60 days belong to yin. When it emerges from the yin period, the country of yin will have favorable military campaigns and achieve victory. If it disappears in the west and remains hidden for 20 days, with ten days belonging to yin and ten days to yang, when it emerges from the yang period, the country of yang will have favorable military campaigns and achieve victory. The following two characters are missing, which say that when not yet going to war, holding back is auspicious, while rushing to fight is inauspicious. The one who starts the war first will suffer defeat, and the one who starts later will also suffer misfortune, even if they gain land, they will eventually lose it. This passage best reveals the military attitude of the author of the silk manuscript: the one who acts first is inauspicious, the one who acts later is not entirely auspicious, and waiting quietly for the right moment is the best strategy.

將軍在野，必視明星之所在，明星前，與之前；後，與之後。兵有大□，明星左，與之左；〔右，與之右〕。□□將軍必斗，坸（苟）在西，西軍勝；在東，東軍勝；坸（苟）在北，北軍勝；在南，南軍勝。

When a general is leading troops in the field, he must observe the position of the bright star (i.e., the planet Venus). If the bright star is in front, follow its direction forward; if it is behind, follow it backward. When there are major military movements, if the bright star is on the left, move to the left; if it is on the right, move to the right. The text is missing two characters here, which say that when a general is definitely about to fight, if the planet Venus is in the west, the western army will win; if it is in the east, the eastern army will win; if it is in the north, the northern army will win; if it is in the south, the southern army will win. 「坸」is a variant form of 「苟」, as noted in the explanatory notes. This passage treats the position of the stars directly as a guide for military movement, belonging to the most practical category of divination texts.

垢一閈，夾如銚，其下被甲而朝。垢二閈，夾如釶，其下流血。〔垢三〕閈，夾如參，當者□□□□□□□□□□□奮其廁（側），勝而受福；不能者正當其前，被將血食。

The aura of Tai Bai becomes dirty and turbid, forming a single layer surrounding it, its shape resembling that of a ladle handle. The country below this will have its soldiers wear armor and be on high alert. If the aura forms two layers, its shape resembles a short spear, and the country below will experience bloodshed. If the aura forms three layers, its shape resembles the three stars of the constellation Shen Su. The area directly facing this will suffer damage; if a force rises from the side, it will achieve victory and receive blessings; if it cannot rise and is directly in front, the generals will suffer from bloodshed. "Han" refers to the surrounding shape, while "yao" and "zhi" are both names of weapons. The silk manuscript determines fortune and misfortune based on the number and shape of the aura around Tai Bai, combining cloud observation with star divination.

大白小而動，兵起。小白從其下，上抵之，不入大白，軍急。小白〔在〕大白前後左右，□干□□□□□，□□□□□大白未至，去之甚亟，則軍相去也。小白出大白〔之左〕，或出其右，去三尺，軍小戰。小白麻（摩）大白，有數萬人之戰，主人吏死。

The star Tai Bai is small and flickering, indicating the outbreak of military conflict. A small white star rising from below to meet Tai Bai without entering it signifies danger for our army. If the small white star appears around Tai Bai, either in front, behind, left, or right, the text is cut off after more than ten characters. If Tai Bai has not yet arrived but the small white star departs quickly, both armies will retreat. If the small white star appears to the left or right of Tai Bai, at a distance of three feet, it indicates a minor battle. If the small white star rubs against Tai Bai, it foretells a large battle involving tens of thousands of soldiers, with the defending generals and officers dying. "Xiao Bai" refers to the small star near Tai Bai, and "ma" is a variant character for "mo" (rub). The following statements all discuss the relative positions of Xiao Bai and Tai Bai to predict battle outcomes, forming the most detailed set of divination statements in the entire text.

小白入大白〔中，五日乃出，及〕其入大白，上出，破軍殺將，客勝；其下出，亡地三〔百里〕。〔小白來〕抵，大白，不去，將軍死；大白期（旗）出，破軍殺將，視期（旗）所鄉（向），以命破軍。小白□〔大〕白，兵是□□〔其〕趮而能去就者，客也；其靜而不能去就者，〔主也〕。凡小白、大白兩星偕出，用兵者象小；白若大白獨出，用兵者象效大白。

The star Xiao Bai enters the region of Tai Bai and takes five days to emerge; when it enters Tai Bai and emerges from above, it indicates the death of the general of the main force, and the attacking force will win; if it emerges from below, the main force will lose land for three hundred li. If the star Xiao Bai approaches Tai Bai and does not depart, the general will die in battle. If the flag-like appearance of Tai Bai appears, it indicates the death of the general of the main force, and the direction of the flag-like appearance can determine which army will be defeated. When the star Xiao Bai invades Tai Bai, the outcome of the military conflict is unclear due to the damaged text of the silk manuscript; generally, the restless but flexible force is the attacking force, while the calm but immobile force is the defending force. Whenever the stars Xiao Bai and Tai Bai appear together, the military force will follow the pattern of Xiao Bai; if only Tai Bai appears, the military force will follow the pattern of Tai Bai. Ancient people referred to the attacking force coming from afar as the 'guest' force, and the defending force holding the land as the 'main' force, and all the judgments of victory and defeat in the text are based on these two concepts.

大白□□亢動兵□□□〔色〕黃而員（圓），兵不用。□□□□□□凡戰必擊期（旗）所指，乃有功，御〔之左之〕者敗。已張軍所以智客，主人勝者，客星白澤；黃澤，客勝。青黑萃，客所謂□□□□□□□□曰耕（？）星□□□。歲星、填星，其色如客星□□也，主人勝。太白、熒惑、耕星赤而角，利以伐人，客勝；客不〔勝〕，以為主人，主人勝。

The qi of Tai Bai is strong and active, indicating military action, but here some characters are missing. If the color is yellow and round, military action may not be necessary. Below this, another six characters are missing. In general, when fighting, one must attack in the direction indicated by the flag's qi to achieve success; if facing it directly or defending from the left, defeat is certain. After the formation is set, the method to determine the outcome between the guest and host forces is: if the host force wins, the guest star appears white and moist; if yellow and moist, the guest force wins; if the color is dark blue-black, the outcome of the guest force is unclear due to the damaged text. The concept of "Geng Star" is also missing. If the color of the year star and the filling star matches that of the guest star, the host force wins. If Tai Bai, Ying Huo, and Geng Star appear red with sharp points, it is favorable for attacking others, and the guest force wins; if the guest force cannot win and instead takes the position of the host, then the host force wins. This passage discusses "Observing Qi to Determine Victory or Defeat," using the colors white, yellow, and dark blue-black, as well as the presence of sharp points, to determine the outcome.

大白稿□□□□□□或當其□□□□將歸，益主益尊。大白贏，數弗去，其兵強。星<趙甬>趯，一上一下，其下也糴貴星如巿阝（孛）□□□□軍死其下，半巿阝（孛）十萬□□□□□□□□□□□□其下千里條。

The light of Tai Bai appears withered, indicating damage below. If it appears at a certain place and then retreats, it benefits the main direction and makes the ruler more prominent. When Tai Bai is full and does not depart repeatedly, the military strength of that direction is strong. If the starlight flickers and moves up and down, the grain price in the corresponding region will rise. If the star appears chaotic like a孛 (a type of abnormal celestial phenomenon), there will be damage below, and the army will be destroyed there. If it only shows half of the孛 shape, there will be ten thousand casualties. The damage below is described as ten characters, and the area of a thousand miles will be affected. In the text, 「Zhao Yong」 is a character composed of 「Zhao」 and 「Yong」 in the silk manuscript, which cannot be written with common characters, and 「Shi Fu」 is a compound character of 「Shi」 and 「Fu」, noted by the editors as 「Bo」; such characters are entered as they are in the original text without being changed into common characters.

凡觀五色，其黃而員（圓）則贏；青而員（圓）則、憂凶，央（殃）之（至）白（迫）。赤而員（圓）則中不平；白而員（圓）則福祿是聽。□黑〔而圓剛〕□□□□□□□□□□〔黃〕而角則地之爭，青而角則國家懼，赤而角則犯我城，白而角則得其眾。四角有功，五角取國，七角伐〔王〕。黑而〔角則〕□□□□□□。

When observing five colors, if the color is yellow and round, it indicates abundance and sufficiency; if it is blue and round, it signifies worries and dangers, with calamities approaching; if it is red and round, it suggests unrest within the country; if it is white and round, it indicates the prospect of blessings and honors; if it is black and round, it implies the incompleteness of the silk manuscript. Now looking at those with spikes or horns: if yellow with spikes, it indicates disputes over land; if blue with spikes, it signifies fear within the state; if red with spikes, it suggests enemies attacking the city; if white with spikes, it indicates gaining the people. Those with four spikes signify merit; five spikes indicate taking over the country; seven spikes indicate attacking the king. Those with black and spikes are already broken. The annotations "员" for "round," "央" for "calamity," "之" for "to," and "白" for "approaching" are all marks of homophones added by the compiler. Star colors are divided into five, and their forms are categorized as round or spiked. Round forms indicate harmonious energy, while spiked forms indicate intense energy. This is the common practice in star divination during the Warring States and Han periods.

〔大白其出東方〕為折陽，卑、高以平明度；其出西方為折陰，卑、高以昏度。其始出：行南，兵南；北，兵北；其反亦然。其方上□□□□□□□□□□□□□〔星高用〕兵入人地深；星卑，用兵淺；其反為主人，以起兵不能入人地。其方上，利起兵。其道〈逆〉留，留所不利，以陽□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□者在一方，所在當利，少者空者不利。

When the star Tai Bai appears in the east, it is called 'Zhe Yang', and its height should be measured at the time of dawn; when it appears in the west, it is called 'Zhe Yin', and its height should be measured at dusk. When Tai Bai first appears: if it moves south, military affairs will be in the south; if it moves north, military affairs will be in the north; the opposite is also true. The following text is missing more than ten characters. If the star's position is high, military operations can penetrate deep into enemy territory; if the star's position is low, military operations should only be shallow. Conversely, it is advantageous for the main force, and military operations cannot penetrate into others' territories. If the star is above its position, it is favorable for initiating military action. If it moves逆行 and stays, the place it stays is unfavorable. The following text is missing more than ten characters; whenever stars gather in one area, the place they gather is favorable, while areas with fewer stars or empty positions are unfavorable. 'Ping Ming' refers to the time when the sky is about to brighten, and 'hun' refers to after the sun sets. These two observation times correspond to the morning star and the evening star, which are practical measurement requirements.

月與星相遇也，月出大白南，陽國受兵；月出其北，陰國受兵。□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□扶有張軍，三指有憂城，二指有（此處約缺五○多字）而角客勝。大〔白與歲星遇，大白在南，歲星在〕北方，命曰牝牡，年轂（谷）〔大熟；大白在北，歲星在南方，年或有或無〕。

The method of divination involving the moon and stars: when the moon appears south of the bright star, a country with yang energy will suffer from military disaster; when the moon appears north of the bright star, a country with yin energy will suffer from military disaster. The following text is damaged with more than ten missing characters. If the distance between them is one 'fu', it indicates there is military deployment and formation; if the distance is three 'zhi', it indicates there is worry for the city and town. If the distance is two 'zhi', this part is missing about fifty characters, and it is a note added by the compiler. At the end, only the four characters 'er jiao ke sheng' remain. When the bright star and the year star meet: if the bright star is south and the year star is north, this is called 'pinnu', and the harvest of grain and millet will be abundant that year; if the bright star is north and the year star is south, the harvest of that year may be either good or bad. 'Fu' and 'zhi' are units of angular distance used by ancients to measure the distance between celestial bodies, with one 'zhi' approximately one degree and four 'zhi' making one 'fu'.

月食歲星，不出十三年，〔國飢亡；食填星，不出〕□年，其國伐而亡；食大白，不出九年，國有亡城，強國戰不勝；〔食熒惑，其國以亂亡；食辰星，不出〕三年，國有內兵；食大角，不三年，天子〔憂，牢獄空〕。凡占五色：其黑唯水之年，其青乃大幾（飢）之年。□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□。

When the moon covers the planet Jupiter, the country will perish from famine within thirteen years; when the moon covers the planet Saturn, the country will be destroyed by warfare within a number of years (the number is missing); when the moon covers the planet Venus, the country will lose its cities within nine years, and even if a strong country engages in battle, it will not prevail; when the moon covers the planet Mars, the country will perish from internal strife; when the moon covers the planet Mercury, the country will have internal strife within three years; when the moon covers the star Zhonggu (the star representing the celestial pole), the emperor will have worries and the prisons will be empty within three years. In general, the five colors are used for divination: black indicates a year of flooding, and green indicates a year of great famine. The text below is missing more than twenty characters. "The moon covering a star" here refers to the moon passing in front of the star, which is different from solar or lunar eclipses, and it refers to a type of ancient celestial omen known as 'ling fan' (invasion).

歲星與大陰〔相〕應也，大陰居維辰一，歲星居維宿星二；大陰居中（仲）辰一，歲星居中（仲）宿星三；□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□星居尾箕，大陰左徙，會於陰陽之界，皆十二歲而周於天。地。大陰居十二辰從（？）子□□□□其國□可斂入其□□其白□□□□□□□□□□□□獄，斬刑無極。不會者駕之央，其咎短命。

The star of the year corresponds with the Wealth star and mother star: when the Wealth star and mother star is in the first position of the four cardinal directions, the star of the year is in the second position of the four cardinal mansions; when the Wealth star and mother star is in the first position of the four intermediate directions, the star of the year is in the third position of the four intermediate mansions. The following text is missing more than twenty characters. When the star is in the Tail mansion and the Winnowing Basket mansion, the Wealth star and mother star moves to the left, and both meet at the boundary of yin and yang, completing a full circle around the sky in twelve years. The Wealth star and mother star resides in the twelve mansions, starting from the Zi mansion. The following text is very damaged, only remaining words like 'its country', 'can be collected into', 'its white' and so on. The end mentions prison matters, with endless beheadings; those not meeting with it are subjected to calamities, resulting in short life. 'The Wealth star and mother star' refers to the star of the year and the master of the year, a hypothetical star moving in the opposite direction to the star of the year. Ancient people used it to record years. This passage explains the correspondence between the star of the year and the master of the year, which is the earliest existing record of the positioning of the master of the year and the star of the year.

南方火，其帝赤（炎）帝，其丞祝庸（朱明），其神上為〔熒惑〕。□□無恆不可為□，所見之□□兵革出二鄉反覆一舍，□□□年。其出西方，是胃（謂）反明，天下革王。其出東方，反行一舍，所去者吉，所居之國受兵□□。

The south is associated with fire, its emperor is the Flame Emperor, and its assisting deity is Zhu Ming. In the heavens, the deity corresponding to fire is the planet Mars, known as the Malefic of violence. When Mars appears, its movement is irregular and unpredictable; wherever it appears, war and military conflict are expected. It moves between two directions and covers one mansion in its journey, taking several years to complete. If Mars appears in the west, it is called 'reverse brightness,' indicating a change of dynasty. If it appears in the east and moves backward through one mansion, the country it leaves behind will be fortunate, while the country it stays in will suffer from military disaster. Mars is the planet among the five stars that moves most irregularly, sometimes moving forward and sometimes backward. Therefore, ancient people regarded it as the star that governs warfare and death, calling it the 'star of law and punishment.'

熒惑絕道，其國分當其野〔受殃，居〕之〔久殃〕大益；亟發者央（殃）小；溉（既）已去之，復環還居之，央（殃）；其周環繞之，入，央（殃）甚。其赤而角動，央（殃）甚。營惑所留久者，三年而發。

The planet Mars (Flame Star) interrupts the normal course and moves in a way that corresponds to a particular region, causing calamity there. The longer it stays, the more severe the disaster. If it departs quickly, the disaster is minor. If it leaves and then returns to stay, there will be disaster. If it circles several times before entering, the disaster is especially severe. If it appears red with bright spikes, the disaster is also very serious. Where Mars remains for a long time, disaster will occur within three years. "Gai" is a variant for "ji," and "ying" is a variant for "yang," both are homophones. "Yinghuo" is the same as "Fenghuo," and the two forms are used in the silk manuscript; here, the original text is recorded as is without unification.

其與心星遇，〔則縞素麻衣，在〕其南、在其北，皆為死亡。赤芒，南方之國利之；白芒，西方之國利之；黑芒，北方之國利之；青芒；東方之國利之；黃芒，中國利之。□□營惑於營室、角、畢、箕，營惑主。司天樂，淫於正音者□駕之央□□。〔其時〕夏，其日丙丁，月立隅中，南方之有之。

When the planet Mars (荧惑) meets the Heart Mansion (心宿), one should wear white mourning clothes and hold a funeral; regardless of whether it is to the south or north of the Heart Mansion, it signifies death — for the Heart Mansion represents the throne of the emperor, so when Mars guards the Heart Mansion, it is the most ominous celestial omen throughout history. The color of its light is red, benefiting the southern countries; white, benefiting the western countries; black, benefiting the northern countries; blue, benefiting the eastern countries; and yellow, benefiting the central plains. Below this, the text is incomplete, stating that when Mars moves through the constellations of Ni, Jue, Bi, and Ji, Mars is the main focus; it governs the music of heaven, and any excess beyond proper music incurs calamity, but the text here is also incomplete. The season it corresponds to is summer, the Day Branch is Bing and Ding, the moon is in the position of Yu Zhong, and the southern countries are affected. "Yu Zhong" refers to the time when the sun is near the zenith, but here it is used as a direction.

中央〔土〕，其帝黃帝，其丞后土，其神上為填星，賓填州星。歲〔填一宿，其所居國吉，得地〕。既已處之，又（有）〔西〕、東去之，其國凶，土地■，不可興事用兵，戰鬥不勝；所往之野吉，得之。

The center belongs to the earth element, its emperor is the Yellow Emperor, its assisting deity is Hou Tu, and its celestial spirit is Tian Xing (Saturn), also known as the star that guards the states. It fills one star mansion each year, and the country where it stays is auspicious, able to gain land. If it has already stayed and then moves west or east, the country will be inauspicious, and the land will be damaged (the character for damage is omitted here). It is not advisable to start projects or wage war, and battles will not be victorious. However, the area it moves towards is auspicious and can bring gains. Tian Xing takes about twenty-eight years to circle the sky, and each year it passes through one star mansion, hence it is called "filling one mansion each year." For this reason, it is regarded as the "guardian" star of the regions.

填之所久處，其國有德，土地吉。填星司天〔禮〕□□□□□□隨？丘？不可大起土攻（功）。若用兵者，攻德變伐填之野者，其咎短命亡。孫子毋處。中央分土，其日戊巳，月立正中，中國有之。

The star of filling remains in a place for a long time, and the country there has virtue and fertile land. The star of filling governs heavenly rites, and the text mentions the number of damage, with the characters "follow" and "hill" followed by question marks, indicating the compiler's doubt in identification. The general meaning is that great construction projects should not be carried out. If someone uses military force to attack a virtuous country under the influence of the star of filling, the consequence will be a short life and the loss of descendants' place to settle. The central region corresponds to the earth element, and the day branch is Wu or Ji. The moon is in the central position, corresponding to the central country. The character "attack" is noted as a homonym for "work," which is a variant character. Earth represents virtue and land, so the place of the star of filling should be still and not moving, forming a contrast with the star of Tai Bai, which governs military affairs and should be active rather than still. This chapter is the shortest, partly because the bamboo slips here are heavily damaged, and partly because the movement of the star of filling is slow and changes little, so the divination text is not elaborate. However, the two sentences "do not carry out great construction projects" and "those who attack the land under the star of filling will have short lives" clearly express the meaning that the earth element values stillness and dislikes great works.

北方水，其帝端玉（顓頊），其丞玄冥，〔其〕神上為晨（辰）星。主正四時，春分效〔婁〕，夏至〔效井，秋分〕效亢，冬至效牽牛。一時不出，其時不利；四時不出，天下大飢。

The north belongs to water, its emperor is Zhuan Xu, its assistant deity is Xuan Ming, and its celestial spirit is Chen Star (the planet Mercury). Chen Star governs the regulation of the four seasons: at the spring equinox, it appears in the Bond mansion; at the summer solstice, it appears in the East Well mansion; at the autumn equinox, it appears in the Neck mansion; and at the winter solstice, it appears in the Ox mansion. If one season does not have its appearance, that season will be unfavorable; if none of the four seasons have its appearance, the whole country will suffer from great famine. Chen Star is closest to the Sun, visible only briefly at dawn or dusk, so ancient people particularly valued whether it appeared on time at the two solstices and two equinoxes, using this to verify the correctness of the four seasons.

其出蚤（早）於時為月食，其出晚於時為天矢〔及彗〕星。其出不當其效，其時當旱反雨，當雨反旱；〔當溫反寒，當〕寒反溫。其出房、心之間，地盼動。

When the planet Chénxīng appears earlier than expected, it indicates an eclipse of the moon; if it appears later than expected, it indicates the appearance of Tian Shǐ and Huìxīng. If Chénxīng appears but does not match the expected time, then in that season, drought is expected but rain occurs, or rain is expected but drought occurs; when warmth is expected, cold occurs, and when cold is expected, warmth occurs. If Chénxīng appears between Fángsù and Xīnsù, it indicates an earthquake. "Zǎo" is a homonym for "early"; "Tian Shǐ" refers to Tian Shi, which is the name of an evil star. This passage uses the timing of Chénxīng to predict abnormal weather conditions, similar to the method used by the hexagram school of interpreting "when cold does not come cold, when warm does not come warm."

其出四中（仲），以正四時，經也；其上出四孟，王者出；其下出四季，大耗敗。凡是星出廿日而入，經也。□□廿日不入□□。〔與它〕星〔遇而〕斗，天下大亂。其入大白之中，若麻（摩）近繞環之，為大戰，趮（躁）勝靜也。

When the star Chen Xing appears in the four central positions of Zi, Wu, Mao, and You, it is used to regulate the four seasons, which is the normal course. If it appears above in the four initial positions of Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai, it indicates the rise of a king. If it appears below in the four seasonal positions of Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei, it signifies great expenditure and great defeat. Whenever this star appears for twenty days and then disappears, it is the normal course; if it does not disappear after twenty days and appears incomplete, it is abnormal. When this star meets and contends with other stars, there will be great chaos. If it enters the realm of Tai Bai or approaches Tai Bai, circling around it, there will be a great battle, and the restless side will overcome the calm side. The term 「仲」 in the bracket is a homonym for 「中」, and 「趮」 in the bracket is a homonym for 「躁」. Note that this passage states that the restless side will overcome the calm side, which is opposite to the previous chapter's Tai Bai divination that states 「calm is auspicious, urgent is inauspicious」. This shows that each of the five stars has its own divination, and they cannot be mixed together.

晨星廁（側）而逆之，利；廁（側）而倍（背）之，不利；日大鎣，是一陰一陽，與□□□□□□□□□□□□候王正卿必見血兵，唯過章章。其行必不至巳，而反入於東方。其見而速入，亦不為羊（祥），其所之（至，候王用昌。

When the star Chen Xing is on the side and facing towards it, it is beneficial; when it is on the side and facing away from it, it is harmful. When the Sun shines brightly, the interaction between yin and yang occurs, and the text below is damaged with more than ten characters missing. The Duke and the prime minister will certainly encounter bloodshed and military disasters, and the fulfillment of this prediction is clear and evident. Its movement will definitely not reach the position of Si before returning and disappearing into the east. Although it appears and quickly disappears, it is not considered a good omen; however, wherever it goes, the Duke will become prosperous. The terms 'ce' (side), 'bei' (back), and 'xiang' (auspicious) are all homophones. The text '其所之（至' has an open parenthesis, which is as it appears in the original, so it is copied without alteration.

其陰而出於西方，唯□□□□□□□□□□唯過彭彭，其行不至未，而反入西方，其見而速入，亦不為年，其所之（至）候王用昌。曰失匿之行，壹進退，無有畛極，唯其所在之〔國〕□□□□□□□□甲其長。其時冬，其日壬癸，月立西方，北方國有之。主司失德，不順者……。

The planet known as Chen Xing appears in the western part of the sky during the Yin period. The text continues to describe its path as powerful and imposing. It does not reach the position of Wei before turning back and disappearing into the west. After appearing, it quickly vanishes and does not indicate a bountiful year. However, wherever it goes, the kings and princes of that country become prosperous. This is called "Shi Ni Zhi Xing" — it appears and disappears intermittently, advancing and retreating without a fixed pattern. One should look at the country where it is located. The text then becomes damaged and only a few numbers remain. The season associated with this is winter, the day branch is Ren and Gui, the month is in the position of the west, and the northern country is affected. It oversees matters of lost virtue; all things that go against the heavenly way are subject to its scrutiny. The last sentence of the original text is damaged, and the interpretation is indicated by ellipsis. Chen Xing appears and disappears unpredictably, hence its name "Shi Ni," which accurately reflects the true movement of the water star.

□□莙扁，將戰並光。方戰，月啗大白，有〔亡〕國；營惑〔以亂〕，陰國可伐也。月□□□□□□弱，其行也，主人疾急。合□惡不明，□敗其色，□而□□用，大白猶是也。

This passage begins with two missing characters, describing chaotic and flat star energies, with all the stars appearing bright as warfare is about to occur. At the moment of actual combat, the moon devours the bright star, indicating the possibility of a country's downfall; if the planet Mars disturbs this situation, then a country of the shadowy realm can be attacked. The following part is missing several characters, describing weak moonlight and the moon's movement indicating urgent defense. The stars converge, but the light is dim and murky, with discolored hues. The following part is also missing; the method of divination for the bright star is also similar. This section discusses the combined divination of the moon and the five planets during warfare, integrating the examples from the previous chapters.

殷為客，相為主人，將相遇，未至四、五尺，其色美，孰能怒，怒者勝。□□□□殷出□相□殷□□□左，□定者勝。殷出相之北，客利；相出殷之北，主人利。兼出東方，利以西伐。殷與相遇，未至一舍，殷從之卻，客疾，主人急。□□□□□高□必□□□□□□□□主人急，客窘急。

The planet Chén Xīng (Morning Star) represents the guest side, and Suì Xīng (Year Star) represents the host side. The Inner Canon refers to Chén Xīng as "Yīn" and Suì Xīng as "Xiāng," which were alternative names at that time. When these two stars are about to meet but are still several feet apart, observe which one has a more vivid color and which one shows signs of vigorous anger; the side that displays anger will prevail. The following text has some damaged characters. When Chén Xīng appears to the north of Suì Xīng, the guest side is advantageous; when Suì Xīng appears to the north of Chén Xīng, the host side is advantageous. If both stars appear in the east, it is favorable for a western campaign. When Chén Xīng and Suì Xīng meet, if Chén Xīng retreats immediately after being a distance of one "shě" away, both the guest and host sides will be in a hurry, and the host side will be in danger. The following text has more than ten damaged characters, ending with the statement that the host side is in danger and the guest side is also in a difficult situation. Determining the advantage of the guest and host sides based on the north-south positions of the two stars is a common method used in this text.

凡五星五歲而一合，三歲而遇。其遇也美，則白衣之遇也；其遇惡，則下□□□□□□□□□□□□□□毋兵不吉。視其相犯也：相者木也，殷者金，金與木相正，故相與殷相犯，天下必遇兵。殷者金也，故殷〔與〕□〔星遇，興兵舉〕事大敗，□〔春〕必甲戌，夏必丙戌，秋必庚戌，冬必壬戌。

All five planets meet every five years and encounter each other every three years. When they meet and their colors are auspicious, it indicates a meeting among common people, unrelated to military affairs; but when their colors are ominous, there will be military disaster below. The text here is damaged for more than ten characters, stating that even if there is no military conflict, it is still not auspicious. Observing their mutual conflicts: the planet of years (Jupiter) belongs to wood, and in the silk manuscript it is called "Xiang"; the planet of stars (Saturn) belongs to metal, and in the silk manuscript it is called "Yin". Since metal and wood correct each other, when the planet of years and the planet of stars conflict, there will certainly be military conflict throughout the country. Since the planet of stars belongs to metal, when it meets another planet, military actions will surely result in great defeat. The day on which this occurs is definitely in the month of spring on Jiaxu, summer on Bingxu, autumn on Gengxu, and winter on Renxu. The silk manuscript here refers to "Yin" as metal, differing from the common view that the planet of stars belongs to water. This is a unique classification found only in the Ma Wang Dui version, and is recorded according to the original text. This chapter is a general discussion of the entire book, summarizing the meeting and conflicting phenomena of the five planets discussed in the previous five chapters, based on the principles of the Five Phases of mutual generation and mutual control: mutual generation leads to harmony, mutual control leads to military conflict. The four days mentioned, Jiaxu, Bingxu, Gengxu, and Renxu, are matched with the four seasons, selecting the days when the heavenly stems of each season combine with "Xu", as the days of verification.

大白與熒惑遇，金、火也，命曰樂（鑠），不可用兵。營惑與辰星遇，水、火〔也，命曰焠，不可用兵〕舉事大敗。〔歲〕與大〈小〉白斗，殺大將，用之搏之，貫之，殺偏將。熒惑從大白，軍憂；離之，軍〔卻〕；出其陰，有分軍；出其陽，有〔偏將之戰〕。〔當其〕行，大白遝（逮）之，〔破軍殺〕將。

Too White and the Fiery Star meet, one metal and one fire, this is called 'Shuo'—metal is melted by fire, and military action is not advisable. The Fiery Star and the Water Star meet, one water and one fire, this is called 'Cui'—a red-hot iron is quenched in water, and military action is not advisable, and any undertaking will certainly result in great defeat. The Jupiter Star and the Small White Star fight, indicating the execution of a general; if they fight each other and penetrate one another, then a deputy general will be killed. When the Fiery Star follows the Too White Star, there is worry in the army; when it departs from the Too White Star, the army retreats; when it appears on the dark side of the Too White Star, there will be a division of forces; when it appears on the bright side, there will be a battle involving a deputy general. When the Fiery Star is moving normally and the Too White Star catches up with it, it indicates the destruction of the army and the killing of a general. 'Shuo' and 'Ta' are homophones; the brackets around 'Da Xiao Bai' are corrections by the editor. Using the Five Phases to determine the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the meeting of two stars is the most systematic section of star divination theory in the entire text.

凡大星趨相犯也，必戰。大白始出以其國，日觀其色，色美者勝。當其國日，獨不見，其兵弱；三有此，其國〔可擊，必得其將〕。不滿其數而入，入而〔復出〕，□□其入日者國兵死：入一日，其兵死十日；入十日，其兵死百日。當其日而大，以其陽之日利。當其日而陰，以陰日不利。上旬為陽國，中旬為中國，下旬為陰國。

Whenever a large star moves quickly and collides with another, there will certainly be warfare. When the bright star (Too Bai) first appears, observe its color according to the country it represents each day; the side with a bright color will win. On the day when a particular country is in charge, if the bright star is not visible, that country has weak military strength. If this happens three times in succession, that country can attack and will certainly capture its general. If the bright star does not appear for the number of days it should, then it disappears, and if it reappears later, the term 'residual' applies. For any day when the bright star disappears, the army of that country will suffer casualties: if it disappears for one day, the army will suffer ten days of casualties; if it disappears for ten days, the army will suffer a hundred days of casualties. On the day when the bright star is in charge, if the star is large, using a yang day is advantageous; if the star is small, using a yin day is disadvantageous. The first ten days belong to the yang country, the middle ten days belong to the central country, and the last ten days belong to the yin country. This divides the days into three ten-day periods corresponding to three types of countries, and combines this with the color and visibility of the star for interpretation.

審陰陽，占其國兵：太白出辰，陽國傷；〔出巳，亡扁地；出東南維，在日月〕之陽，陽國之將傷，央其陰〔利。〕大白〔出戌入未〕，是胃（謂）反（犯）地邢（刑），絕天維，行過，為圍小，〈有〉暴兵將多。大白出於未，陽國傷；〔出甲，亡扁地；出西〕南維，在日月之陽，陽國之將傷，在其陰〔利。大白〕出於戌，陰國傷；出亥，亡扁地；出西北維，在日月之陰，陰國之將傷，在其陽利。〔出辰入丑〕□□□。

To examine yin and yang, and to predict military affairs of various states: When Tai Bai appears in the position of Chen, the yang state suffers injury; when it appears in the position of Si, it loses remote territories; when it appears in the southeast dimension, it is in the yang aspect of the sun and moon, causing injury to the generals of the yang state, but benefiting the yin aspect. When Tai Bai appears in the position of Xu and sets into Wei, this is called 'violating the land punishment and cutting off the heavenly dimension,' and where it passes through, the surrounding areas are small, and there will be a large number of sudden military forces. When Tai Bai appears in the position of Wei, the yang state suffers injury; when it appears in the position of Jia, it loses remote territories; when it appears in the southwest dimension, it is in the yang aspect of the sun and moon, causing injury to the generals of the yang state, but benefiting the yin aspect. When Tai Bai appears in the position of Xu, the yin state suffers injury; when it appears in the position of Hai, it loses remote territories; when it appears in the northwest dimension, it is in the yin aspect of the sun and moon, causing injury to the generals of the yin state, but benefiting the yang aspect. The passage about Tai Bai appearing in the position of Chen and setting into Chou is missing from the bamboo slips. 'Pian di' refers to remote areas, and 'Xing' is a homonym for 'xing' (punishment). The four dimensions refer to the southeast, southwest, northwest, and northeast corners.

大白出於丑，亡扁地；出東北維，在日月之陰，陰國之將傷，在其陽利；出寅，陰國傷。大白出於酉入卯，而兵□□□□在從之〔南，陽國勝；在從〕之北，陰國傷。日冬至，〔大白〕在日北，至日夜分（春分），陽國勝；春分在日南，陽國勝；夏分〈至〉在日南，至日夜分（秋分），陰國勝；秋分在日〔北〕，陰國勝。

The star Tai Bai appears in the position of Chou, indicating loss in remote areas; when it appears in the Northeast direction, it is on the shadow side of the sun and moon, causing injury to the generals of the Yin country, while the Yang side benefits; when it appears in the position of Yin, the Yin country suffers. When Tai Bai appears in the position of You and sets in the position of Mao, it indicates military affairs, with four characters indicating damage; those located to the south of its vertical line benefit the Yang country; those located to the north suffer the Yin country. On the day of the Winter Solstice, Tai Bai is north of the Sun, and until the Spring Equinox, the Yang country prevails; at the Spring Equinox, Tai Bai is south of the Sun, and the Yang country prevails; at the Summer Solstice, Tai Bai is south of the Sun, and until the Autumn Equinox, the Yin country prevails; at the Autumn Equinox, Tai Bai is north of the Sun, and the Yin country prevails. "Day and night division" refers to the day when day and night are equal, meaning the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes; the angle brackets in "Summer division <to>" are corrections by the editor. This passage uses the north-south position of Tai Bai relative to the Sun, combined with the two solstices and two equinoxes, to determine the victory or defeat of the Yin and Yang countries, with a very rigorous method.

越、齊〔韓、趙、魏者〕，荊、秦之陽也；齊者，燕、趙、魏之陽也；魏者，韓、趙之陽也；韓者，秦、趙之陽也；秦者，翟之陽也，以南北進退占之。大白出恆以〔辰戌，入以丑未〕，候之不失。其時秋，其日庚辛，月立失，西方國有之。司天獻不教之國駕之央（殃），其咎亡師。

The following lists the yin-yang relationships between various states: Yue and Qi, Han, Zhao, and Wei are the yang sides of Chu and Qin; Qi is the yang side of Yan, Zhao, and Wei; Wei is the yang side of Han and Zhao; Han is the yang side of Qin and Zhao; Qin is the yang side of the Di people. These are determined according to the north-south positions and their movements.the so-called「yang」 refers to the side located to the south, and the terms yang state and yin state in the divination texts are determined accordingly. The appearance of Tai Bai is often at the Chen position or Xu position, while its disappearance is usually at the Chou position or Wei position, and this method of divination is reliable. The season associated with it is autumn, the day branch is Geng and Xin, and the moon is at the western position, which corresponds to the western state. It governs the heavenly contributions, and any state that is not properly educated will suffer calamity, and the consequence is the loss of troops. All the states listed in this section are the Seven Warring States and the Di people, indicating that the geographical concepts in this text still belong to the late Warring States period.

相與營室晨出東方　　秦始皇帝元　三　　五　　七　　　　九　　　　　　〔二〕與東闢（壁） 晨出東方　　　二　　四　　六　　〔八〕　　〔十〕　　　〔三〕與婁晨 出東方　　　　三　　五　　七　　〔九〕　　〔一〕　　　〔四〕與畢晨 出東方　　　　四　　六　　八　　〔<廿廿>〕　〔二〕　　〔五〕與東井晨

The table shows the movement of the Star of Years (Sui Xing). It was originally a chart on silk, and the layout is preserved as it was. The table is read as follows: each row begins with the constellation that accompanies the Star of Years when it rises in the east in the morning. The numbers in the following columns indicate the years, starting from the first year of the reign of Qin Shi Huang, and they are listed in order. The numbers in the square brackets at the end of each row indicate the continuation of the next row. First row: the Star of Years rises in the east together with the Encampment Mansion (Shi Xu), the years being the first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth years of the reign of Qin Shi Huang; next comes the Wall Mansion (Bi Xu). Second row: the Star of Years rises in the east together with the Bond Mansion (Lou Xu), the years being the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth years; next comes the Net Mansion (Bi Xu). Third row: the Star of Years rises in the east together with the Well Mansion (Jing Xu), the years being the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and first years; next comes the Star Mansion (Xing Xu). Fourth row: the Star of Years rises in the east together with the Well Mansion (Dong Jing), the years being the fourth, sixth, eighth, twentieth (i.e., twenty), and second years; next comes the Well Mansion (Dong Jing). In the table, "Xiang" is another name for the Star of Years. The term "Dong Bi" is noted as a variant form of "Dong Jing". The character "<Er Shí>" is a combined character formed by two "Er" characters stacked on top of each other in the silk manuscript, and is transcribed as such. Originally, the table had a grid layout with rows and columns aligned. The spaces within each row indicate the grid lines, and here they are preserved as they were, without merging. When reading, the columns should be separated by the spaces. All the years are written with only the last character (e.g., "San", "Wu", "Qi"), which is a shortened form, and should be completed to the full year, such as "the third year", "the fifth year", "the seventh year".

出東方　　　五　　　七　　九　　漢元　　孝惠〔元〕　〔六〕與柳晨 出東方　　　六　　　八　　卅　　二　　　　二　　　　　　〔七〕與張晨 出東方　　　七　　　九　　一　　〔三〕　　　〔三〕　　　〔八〕與軫晨 出東方　　　八　　　廿　　二　　〔四〕　　　四　　　　　〔元〕與亢晨

The fifth row, emerging to the east, corresponds to the years five, seven, nine, Han Year One, and Emperor Xiao's first year; next it is accompanied by the Willows mansion. The sixth row, emerging to the east, corresponds to the years six, eight, thirty, two, and two; next it is accompanied by the Extended Net mansion. The seventh row, emerging to the east, corresponds to the years seven, nine, one, three, and three; next it is accompanied by the Chariot mansion. The eighth row, emerging to the east, corresponds to the years eight, twenty, two, four, and four; next it is accompanied by the Neck mansion. The chronology in the table changes dynasties here: after the Qin dynasty's chronology comes the first year of Emperor Gaozu of Han, then the first year of Emperor Xiao of Han, indicating that this table records continuous observations spanning the transition from the Qin to the Han dynasty.

出東方　　　　九　　　一　　三　五　　　　五　　　　　　二與心晨 出東方　　　　十　　　二　　四　　六　　　　六　　　　　三與斗晨出東方　　　　一　　　三　五　　七　　　　七　　　　　　與婺女晨 出東方　　　二　　　四　　六　　八　　　　•代皇

The last four lines state: emerging to the east, the years are nine, one, three, five, five, next accompanying the Heart mansion; emerging to the east, the years are ten, two, four, six, six, next accompanying the Dipper mansion; emerging again to the east, the years are one, three, five, seven, seven, next accompanying the Girl mansion; emerging to the east, the years are two, four, six, eight, with the final column marked as 'Da Huang', preceded by a dot. In the silk manuscript, a dot is used to indicate the change of dynasties or imperial titles, such as '•Da Huang', '•Zhang Chu', '•Xiao Hui Yuan', '•Gao Hou Xu Yuan'. Here, it is transcribed as per the original text. 'Da Huang' refers to the replacement of the King of Da as emperor, i.e., Emperor Wen of Han. The records in this table end with the beginning of Emperor Wen's reign.

秦始皇帝元年正月，歲星日行廿分，十二日而行一度，終〔歲行卅〕度百五分，見三〔百六十五日而夕入西方，伏〕卅日，三百九十五日而復出東方。〔十二〕歲一周天，廿四歲一與大〔白〕合營室。

The first year of the Qin Shi Huang Emperor's reign in the first lunar month was taken as the starting point. The star of Jupiter moves two tenths each day, covering one degree in twelve days, and moves thirty degrees and one hundred and five tenths in a year. It appears in the sky for three hundred and sixty-five days, then sets in the west in the evening, remains hidden for thirty days, and reappears in the east after three hundred and ninety-five days. After twelve years, it completes one full orbit around the sky, and after twenty-four years, it meets the star of Mars in the Encampment mansion. This passage explains the algorithm of the upper table: in one year, it moves thirty degrees and more, and in twelve years, it covers three hundred and sixty-five degrees and more, which is very close to the currently measured stellar period of Jupiter, approximately eleven point eight six years. This is an important evidence of the astronomical observations and measurements during the pre-Qin and Han dynasties.

〔相〕與營室晨出東方　　元•秦始皇　　一　　　　　二與營室晨出東方　　　　二　　　　　　二　　　　　三與東壁晨出東方　　　　三　　　　　三　　　　四 與畦（奎）晨〔出〕東方　　四　　　　　　四　　　　　五與婁晨出東方　　　　　五　　　　　　五　　　　　六與胃晨出東方　　　　　六　　　　　　六　　　　　七 與茅（昴）晨出東方　　　七　　　　　　七　　　　　八與畢晨出東方　　　　　八　　　　　　八•張楚　　•元與觜角晨出東方　　　　九　　　　　　九　　　　　二

Here is the table of the movement of the planet Saturn (Fill Star), maintaining the original layout of rows and columns. The method of reading is the same as the previous table: each entry first records the constellation in which Saturn rises in the east in the morning, and the numbers below indicate the years. First row: Saturn rises in the east with the Encampment Mansion, the year being the first year of the Qin Shi Huang Di's reign and the first year; the next year, it still rises in the east with the Encampment Mansion, the year being the second year and the second year; the following year, it rises in the east with the Wall Mansion, the year being the third year, the third year, and the fourth year. Second row: Saturn rises in the east with the Legs Mansion, the years being the fourth year, the fourth year, and the fifth year; with the Bond Mansion, the years being the fifth year, the fifth year, and the sixth year; with the Stomach Mansion, the years being the sixth year, the sixth year, and the seventh year. Third row: Saturn rises in the east with the Hairy Head Mansion, the years being the seventh year, the seventh year, and the eighth year; with the Net Mansion, the years being the eighth year, the eighth year, here marked 「• Zhang Chu」, which refers to the year of the Zhang Chu regime established by Chen Sheng; with the Zi and Jiao constellations rising in the east, the years being the first year, the ninth year, the ninth year, and the second year. The annotations 「qí」 and 「máo」 are homophones for 「kuí」 and 「mǎo」 respectively, and are entered exactly as in the original text. Saturn moves through one constellation each year, so the constellations in this table follow each other sequentially, unlike the planet Jupiter's table which jumps between constellations.

與伐晨出東方　　　　　十　　　　　　卌　　　　　三與東井晨出東方　　　　一　　　　　　漢元　　　〔與東〕井晨出東方　　　二　　　　　　二　　　　　 與鬼晨出東方　　　　　三　　　　　三　　　　　與柳晨出東方　　　　　四　　　　　　四　　　　　　與七星晨出東方　　　　五　　　　　　五　　　　　　 與張晨出東方　　　　　六　　　　　　六　　　　　　與翼晨出東方　　　　　七　　　　　　七　　　　　　與軫晨出東方　　　　　八　　　　　　八

The continuation: It aligns with the star of the Axe appearing in the east in the first year, then in the tenth year, the fortieth year, and the third year; it aligns with the Well mansion appearing in the east in the first year, here marked as "Han Yuan," which refers to the first year of Emperor Gaozu of Han; then again aligning with the Well mansion appearing in the east in the second year, twice. It aligns with the Ghost mansion appearing in the east in the third year, twice; aligning with the Willow mansion appearing in the east in the fourth year, twice; aligning with the Seven Stars appearing in the east in the fifth year, twice. It aligns with the Extended Net mansion appearing in the east in the sixth year, twice; aligning with the Wings mansion appearing in the east in the seventh year, twice; aligning with the Chariot mansion appearing in the east in the eighth year, twice. "卌" is a combined character for forty, and "卅" is a combined character for thirty. The numerals in the silk manuscript often use combined characters, so they are recorded as per the original text. This table of years also spans the three regimes of the Qin, Zhangchu, and Han, and can be cross-referenced with the previous table.

與角晨出東方　　　　　九　　　　　　九　　　　　　與亢晨出東方　　　　　廿　　　　　　十　　　　　　與氐晨出東方　　　　　一　　　　　　一　　　　　　 與房晨出東方　　　　　二　　　　　　二　　　　　　〔與〕心晨出東方　　　　三　　　　　•孝惠元　　　　　　〔與〕尾晨出東方　　　　四　　　　　　二　　　　　　 與箕晨出東方　　　　　五　　　　　　三　　　　　與斗晨出東方　　　　　六　　　　　　四　　　　　　與牽牛晨出東方　　　　七　　　　　　五

The continuation: It appears with the Horn mansion rising in the east in the ninth year, ninth year; with the Neck mansion rising in the east in the twentieth year, tenth year; with the Root mansion rising in the east in the first year, first year. With the Room mansion rising in the east in the second year, second year; with the Heart mansion rising in the east in the third year, here marked as "•孝惠元" which refers to the first year of Emperor Hui of Han; with the Tail mansion rising in the east in the fourth year, second year. With the Winnowing Basket mansion rising in the east in the fifth year, third year; with the Dipper mansion rising in the east in the sixth year, fourth year; with the Ox mansion rising in the east in the seventh year, fifth year. At this point, the filling star has successively passed through the first two mansions of the Eastern Azure Dragon and the Northern Black Tortoise, exactly matching its annual progress of one mansion per year.

與婺女晨出東方　　　　八　　　　　　六　　　　　　與虛晨出東方　　　　　九　　　　　　七　　　　　 與危晨出東方　　　　　卅　　　　　　•高皇后元

The last two lines state: Together with the Girl Mansion, it rises in the east in the first year and sixth year; together with the Emptiness Mansion, it rises in the east in the ninth and seventh years. Together with the Rooftop Mansion, it rises in the east in the thirtieth year, marked here as '• High Queen's first year,' meaning the first year of Lu Hou. This table starts from the first year of Qin Shi Huang and ends at the first year of Lu Hou, spanning about thirty years, which is exactly the time it takes for the planet to circle the sky. Hence, the table stops here.

秦始皇帝元年正月，填星在營室，日行八分，卅日而行一度，終〔歲〕行〔十二度卌二分。見三百四十五〕日，伏卅二日，凡見三百七七日而復出東方。卅歲一周於天，廿歲與歲星合為大陰之紀。

The first year of the Qin Shi Huang Emperor's reign in the first lunar month was taken as the starting point: the planet Saturn was in the Encampment mansion, moving eight parts per day, covering one degree in thirty days, and moving twelve degrees and forty-two parts in a year. It appeared in the sky for three hundred forty-five days, then was hidden for thirty-two days, totaling three hundred seventy-seven days before reappearing in the east. After thirty years, it completes a full orbit around the sky, and after twenty years, it meets the planet Jupiter once, serving as the basis for the Too Yin calendar system. Modern measurements show that Saturn's sidereal period is approximately twenty-nine and a half years, and its synodic period is about three hundred seventy-eight days, which closely matches the records in the silk manuscript, indicating that this record was based on long-term observation rather than calculation.

正月與營室晨出東方二百廿四日，以八月與角晨入東方。〔秦元〕　〔九〕　〔七〕　五　　三•漢元　九　　五　　六浸行百二十日，以十二月與虛夕出西方，取廿一於下。 與虛夕出西方二百廿四日，以八月與翼夕入西方。 〔二〕　〔十〕　〔八〕　六　　四　　二　　　十　　六　　七伏十六日九十六分，與軫晨出東方。

The following is a table of the movement of the planet Tai Bai (Venus). The text alternates between words and numbers, and the original layout is preserved. The reading method is: first record the month of appearance, the accompanying mansion, and the number of days, then a series of numbers representing years, followed by the next segment of movement. First entry: In the first month, Tai Bai appears in the morning in the east together with the mansion of Encampment, lasting 224 days, until the eighth month when it sets in the east together with the mansion of Horn at dawn; the associated years are the first year, ninth year, seventh year, fifth year, third year of Qin Shihuang, and the first year, ninth year, fifth year, sixth year of Han. Afterward, it moves secretly for 120 days, until the twelfth month when it appears in the west together with the mansion of Emptiness in the evening, taking the number 21 below. Second entry: Tai Bai appears in the evening in the west together with the mansion of Emptiness, lasting 224 days, until the eighth month when it sets in the west together with the mansion of Wings in the evening. The associated years for the third entry are the second year, tenth year, eighth year, sixth year, fourth year, second year, tenth year, sixth year, seventh year; afterward, it remains hidden for 16 days and 96 parts, then appears in the morning in the east together with the mansion of Chariot. The dot before "• Han Yuan" in the table is still a mark used in the silk manuscript to indicate a change of era.

以八月與軫晨出東方二百廿四日以三月與茅晨入東方，餘七十八。浸行百廿日，以九月與〔翼夕〕出西方。三　〔一〕　九　　七　　五　　三　一　　七　　八 以八月與翼夕出西方，二百廿四日，以二月與婁夕入西方，餘五十七。伏十六日九十六分，以三月與茅晨出東方。 四　　〔二〕　廿　　八　　六　　四　　二　　〔高〕皇后•元以三月與茅晨出東方二百廿四日，以十一月與箕晨〔入東〕方。浸行百廿日，以三月與婁夕出西方，餘五十二。

The continuation: In August, the Chariot mansion appeared in the east at dawn, and after 224 days, it reached March when it set in the east at dawn with the Hairy Head mansion, leaving a remainder of 78 days; it then moved secretly for 120 days, appearing in the west at dusk in September with the Wings mansion. The associated years are three, one, nine, seven, five, three, one, seven, and eight. In August, the Wings mansion appeared in the west at dusk, and after 224 days, it reached February when it set in the west at dusk with the Bond mansion, leaving a remainder of 57 days; it then lay hidden for 16 days and 96 parts, appearing in the east at dawn in March with the Hairy Head mansion. The associated years are four, two, twenty, eight, six, four, two, and the final entry is marked as "〔High〕 Empress • Yuan", which refers to the first year of Lu Hou. In March, the Hairy Head mansion appeared in the east at dawn, and after 224 days, it reached November when it set in the east at dawn with the Winnowing Basket mansion; it then moved secretly for 120 days, appearing in the west at dusk in March with the Bond mansion, leaving a remainder of 52 days. The term "remainder" refers to the leftover fractional days beyond the counted days, which must be carried over in calculations.

〔以三月〕與婁夕出西方二百廿四日，以十月與心夕入西方。五　　〔三〕　〔一〕　九　　七　　五　　•惠元　二　　二〔伏〕十六日九十六分，以十一月與箕晨出東方，取七十三下。 以十一月與箕晨出東方二百廿四日，以六月與柳晨入東方。六　　〔四〕　〔二〕　〔卅〕　〔八〕　六　　二　　三　三浸行百廿日，以九月與心夕出西方，取才十四下。 以九月與心夕出西方二百廿四日，以五月與東井夕入西方。七　　〔五〕　〔三〕　〔一〕　〔九〕　〔七〕　三　四伏十六日九十六分，以九月與輿鬼晨出東方。

The continuation: In the third month, the star appears in the west in the evening, and after 224 days, it sets in the west with the Heart mansion at dusk in the tenth month; the associated years are five, three, one, nine, seven, and five. Next it is marked as "•Huì Yuán" which refers to the first year of Emperor Huì of the Han dynasty, followed by two years and two years. It remains hidden for sixteen days and ninety-six parts, then in the eleventh month, it rises in the east in the morning with the Winnowing Basket mansion, taking the number seventy-three below. In the eleventh month, it rises in the east in the morning with the Winnowing Basket mansion, and after 224 days, it sets in the east with the Willow mansion at dawn in the sixth month; the associated years are six, four, two, thirty years, eight, six, two, three, and three. It travels for 120 days, then in the ninth month, it appears in the west in the evening with the Heart mansion, taking the number fourteen below. In the ninth month, it rises in the west in the evening with the Heart mansion, and after 224 days, it sets in the west with the Well mansion at dusk in the fifth month; the associated years are seven, five, three, one, nine, seven, three, and four. It remains hidden for sixteen days and ninety-six parts, then in the ninth month, it rises in the east in the morning with the Ghost mansion.

以六月與輿鬼晨出東方二百廿四日，以正月與西壁晨入東方。餘五。浸行百廿日，以五月與東井夕出西方。八　　〔六〕　〔四〕　〔二〕　〔廿廿〕　〔八〕　四　　五 以五月與東井夕出西方二百廿四日，以十二月與虛夕入西方。〔伏十〕六日九十六分，以正月與東壁晨出東方。

The last two entries: In June, the celestial mansion of Yu Gui rises in the east in the morning, and after 224 days, it reaches January when it sets in the east in the morning, with a remainder of five days; it then moves secretly for 120 days, arriving in May when the celestial mansion of Dong Jing appears in the west in the evening; the associated years are eight, six, four, two, twenty, eight, four, and five. In May, the celestial mansion of Dong Jing rises in the west in the evening, and after 224 days, it reaches December when it sets in the west in the evening; it then remains hidden for sixteen days and ninety-six parts, arriving in January when the celestial mansion of Dong Bi rises in the east in the morning. At this point, it returns to rising in the east in January, completing an eight-year cycle of five repetitions, thus forming a closed loop. This corresponds exactly with the record in Chapter Two of this book, which states 'five appearances correspond to eight years.'

秦始皇帝元年正月，太白出東方，〔日〕行百廿分，百日上極〔而反，日行一度，天〕十日行有〔益〕疾，日行一度百八十七分以從日，六十四日而復遝（逮）日，晨入東方，凡二百廿四日。浸行百廿日，夕出西方。〔太白出西方始日行一度百八十七分，百日〕行益徐，日行一度，以待之六十日；行有益徐，日行<廿廿>分，六十四日而西入西方，凡二百廿四日。伏十六日九十六分。〔太白一復〕為日五〔百八十四日九十六分日。凡出入東西各五，復〕與營室晨出東方，為八歲。

The first year of the reign of Qin Shi Huang began the calculation: the planet Tai Bai appeared in the east, moving each day by one hundred twenty parts, reaching its extreme after one hundred days and then returning, changing to move one degree per day; after ten days, its speed gradually increased, moving one degree per day with one hundred eighty-seven parts to follow the Sun, and after sixty-four days it caught up with the Sun again, disappearing in the east in the morning, taking a total of two hundred twenty-four days; then it concealed itself for one hundred twenty days, appearing in the west in the evening. When Tai Bai emerged from the west, it initially moved one degree per day with one hundred eighty-seven parts, then after one hundred days its speed gradually slowed, changing to move one degree per day, waiting for sixty days; then it slowed further, moving twenty parts per day, and after sixty-four days it disappeared in the west, also taking two hundred twenty-four days; then it remained hidden for sixteen days and ninety-six parts. A complete conjunction cycle of Tai Bai is five hundred eighty-four days and ninety-six parts; it enters and exits the east and west five times, and returns to emerge from the eastern Encampment mansion in the morning, totaling eight years. Today's measurement of the conjunction cycle of Venus is five hundred eighty-three point nine two days, while the figure recorded in the silk manuscript is five hundred eighty-four days and ninety-six parts (approximately five hundred eighty-four point four days), which is extremely close. This is the most famous data in the entire text, making this chapter one of the earliest and most accurate planetary observation records that have survived.