Chen Star Divination

水土合，為覆軍。水出東方，大而白，有兵在外解。金、水俱在東方，負海國勝。水入月，主人敗兵亡地。水、金合，旗出，〈○張刻本無此二字。〉破軍殺將，客勝。視其所指，以命破軍。

The conjunction of the planet Chén Xīng (Water Star) and Zhèn Xīng (Earth Star) indicates the complete destruction of the entire army. If Chén Xīng appears in the east, large in size and white in color, it indicates that the army outside will lift the siege and disband. If Taibai (Bright Star) and Chén Xīng are both in the east, the country by the sea will win. If Chén Xīng enters the moon, it indicates the defending army will suffer defeat and lose territory. If Chén Xīng combines with Taibai and a flag-like appearance appears (the words "flag out" are not present in the Zhang Ke edition), it indicates the army will be defeated and the general will be killed, with the guest army winning. The direction it points to should be considered to determine which army will be defeated.

水環繞太白，興兵大戰，客勝，主人敗。水遇金，其間可容劍，小戰，則客勝。水出太白左，小戰；磨太白，又去三尺，大戰；水在金北，利主人；在金南，利客。水守房，番兵敗；水守婁，番兵起。水乾昴，夷狄兵起。

The planet Chén Xīng moves around Tài Bái, indicating the outbreak of war with a major battle, where the attacking army wins and the defending side suffers defeat. When Chén Xīng and Tài Bái meet, and the distance between the two stars is sufficient to fit a sword, it indicates a minor battle, with the attacking army winning. If Chén Xīng appears to the left of Tài Bái, it indicates a minor battle; if it passes closely by, rubbing against Tài Bái, and then separates by three feet, it indicates a major battle. If Chén Xīng is located to the north of Tài Bái, it benefits the defending side; if it is to the south, it benefits the attacking army. If Chén Xīng remains in Fáng Sù, it indicates defeat for foreign troops; if it remains in Lóu Sù, it indicates the rise of warfare by foreign tribes. If Chén Xīng interferes with Mǎo Sù, it indicates the outbreak of warfare by the夷狄.

水守心，大臣相殺，大水，異姓立王。水犯尾，大水。水犯箕，有赦；若守左角，動色，貴臣戮死。水犯斗，大臣誅。一曰：兵守赤色，天下敗兵；犯斗，〈○張刻本無此十二字。〉五穀不成。水守女，有婚娶事，萬物不成；犯虛，天下亂，多水。

The planet Chén Xīng (Morning Star) lingering in the Heart Mansion indicates that ministers will kill each other, there will be great floods, and a person of different surname will become king. When Chén Xīng invades the Tail Mansion, there will be great floods. When Chén Xīng invades the Winnowing Basket Mansion, there will be the issuance of pardons; if it remains at the left angle star with changing color, it indicates that a prominent minister will be killed. When Chén Xīng invades the Dipper Mansion, ministers will be executed. Another interpretation says: if the military symbol is in position with a red color, there will be military defeats; invading the Dipper Mansion (the following twelve characters are missing in the Zhang edition), indicates that the five grains will not mature. When Chén Xīng lingers in the Girl Mansion, there will be matters of marriage and wedding, and all things will not mature; when it invades the Emptiness Mansion, there will be great chaos throughout the world and frequent water disasters.

水犯危，大水，有後䘮，〈○張刻本作「女主䘮」。〉臣謀君主。水犯室，有兵，大水。水犯壁，刑法苛，朝廷有憂；犯奎，有火，為害。水乘昴，出其北，胡王死，中國大水。水入畢，有兵；出北，胡王憂；出南，中國憂。

When the planet Chén Xīng (Morning Star) invades Wēi Sù (Rooftop Mansion), there will be a great flood and the queen mother will have mourning affairs (the Zhang edition reads 'the female ruler will have mourning'), and ministers will plot against the sovereign. When Chén Xīng invades Shì Sù (Encampment Mansion), there will be warfare and a great flood. When Chén Xīng invades Bì Sù (Wall Mansion), there will be severe legal punishments and the court will have troubles; when it invades Kuí Sù (Legs Mansion), there will be fire disasters. When Chén Xīng is above Mǎo Sù (Hairy Head Mansion) and exits from its north, the ruler of the Hu people will die and the Central Plains will have a great flood. When Chén Xīng enters Bì Sù (Net Mansion), there will be warfare; if it exits from the north of Bì Sù, the ruler of the Hu people will have worries; if it exits from the south, the Central Plains will have troubles.

水犯觜，發兵。水守參伐，星移南，南蠻下；移北，北胡侵。水入東井，星進兵進，星退兵退。水犯輿鬼，兵起；水入庫，〈○張刻本有「樓」字。〉兵起。水入柳，牛貴。水犯星，臣下亂。

The planet Chen Star invading the Zi Host mansion indicates military action. If the Chen Star remains in the Cen Host mansion and the Fa Star, and the star moves southward, the southern barbarians will surrender; if it moves northward, the northern Hu people will invade. If the Chen Star enters the Well mansion, then if the star advances, the army advances; if the star retreats, the army retreats. If the Chen Star invades the Ghost mansion, it indicates the outbreak of warfare. If the Chen Star enters the Heavenly Store Star (the Zhang edition says 'Store Tower'), it also indicates the outbreak of warfare. If the Chen Star enters the Willow mansion, it indicates a rise in cattle prices. If the Chen Star invades the Star mansion, it indicates rebellion by ministers.

水守張，兵起，大火。水入翼中，刑及賢相，大凶。〈○張刻本云「兵大作，大臣殺僇」。〉水犯軫，大兵起，〈○張刻本云「有大臣䘮」。〉萬物不成。水犯角，大水，舟航相望。水犯亢，大水。〈○張刻本作「大疫」。〉水乾犯五車星，兵起；水留心南河，兵起西方。

When the planet Chén Xīng stays in Zhang Xu, it indicates the outbreak of warfare and a great fire. When Chén Xīng enters Yi Xu, it signifies severe punishment inflicted upon virtuous ministers, which is a great misfortune (the Zhang edition says "great warfare occurs, and high officials are executed"). When Chén Xīng invades Zhen Xu, it indicates the outbreak of large-scale warfare (the Zhang edition says "loss of high officials"), and all things fail to mature. When Chén Xīng invades Jiao Xu, it indicates a great flood, with ships on rivers and streams facing each other. When Chén Xīng invades Kang Xu, it indicates a great flood (the Zhang edition says "a great epidemic"). When Chén Xīng interferes with the Five Carriage Stars, it indicates the outbreak of warfare; when Chén Xīng stays near the Southern River Star, it indicates warfare arising in the west.

經曰：夫流星者，天之使也。自上而降下曰流，自下而升上曰飛。大者曰奔星，小者曰流星。星大，則使大；〈○此句「星」字原在下句末，依張刻本移置此。〉星小，則使小。此謂紫微宮、太微宮，出入而徐行，漸經於列宿之次也。或於列星之坐，〈○此下原有「為使也，聲大，怒之象。行疾則兵疾，行遲則兵遲」十七字，與上下文不相屬。今依張刻本。〉非二宮所出者，並為妖星。

The *Bing Jing Shuo* says: meteors are messengers from heaven. Those that fall downward from above are called "flowing stars," and those that rise upward from below are called "flying stars." Large celestial bodies are called "running stars," and small ones are called "meteors." A large star conveys a great mission; a small star conveys a small mission. Here, the reference is to those that slowly move from the Purple Micro Palace and the Tai Wei Palace, passing in order through the twenty-eight constellations. As for those appearing between other constellations, they are considered "devil stars," not originating from the Purple Micro and Tai Wei Palaces.

流星赤色有角者，四夷有兵；前赤後黑，兵敗將亡。流星入參，不出，先起者勝，後起者敗。流星干七星者，兵起。流星入建星者，色青，兵起。流星入河鼓者，大將軍亡；出河鼓，兵出；入河鼓，兵入。〈○張刻本無此十字。〉

A red shooting star with a bright tail indicates warfare among the four surrounding tribes. If the front part is red and the back part is black, it signifies the defeat of the army and the death of the general. If a shooting star enters the Three Stars mansion and does not leave, the party that acts first will win and the one that acts later will lose. If a shooting star interferes with the Seven Stars, warfare will arise. If a shooting star enters the Jian Star and the stars turn green, warfare will arise. If a shooting star enters the He Gu star, the supreme general will die; if a shooting star comes out of He Gu, the army will be mobilized, and if it enters He Gu, the army will withdraw (these last ten characters are missing in the Zhang Ke edition).

流星入王良，馬盡驚。流星入天將，軍中驚；流星入，將入；星出，將出。流星入紫微宮，匈奴兵起。流星入三臺，大將出。流星入騎官，騎官死。

A falling star entering the Wangliang star indicates that all horses will be startled. A falling star entering the Heavenly General star indicates alarm within the army; when the falling star enters, the general will enter the camp; when the falling star leaves, the general will go out to campaign. A falling star entering the Purple Micro palace indicates the rise of the Xiongnu in warfare. A falling star entering the Star of Ranks indicates that a major general will go to war. A falling star entering the Rider Official star indicates the death of the Rider Official.

流星入羽林，兵大起。流星抵北落，兵大起。流星出天宮，匈奴兵起。流星抵天市垣，大將出。流星抵天狗，犯弧矢，將有千里之行。流星出天廐，兵馬出。

A meteor entering the Yu Lin star indicates the outbreak of large-scale warfare. A meteor reaching the Bei Luo Shen Men star also indicates the outbreak of large-scale warfare. A meteor emerging from the Tian Gong star signifies the rise of the Xiongnu in warfare. A meteor reaching the Tian Shi Yuan indicates the departure of a general on a campaign. A meteor reaching the Tian Gou star and invading the Hu Shi star indicates that a general will have a journey of thousands of miles. A meteor emerging from the Tian Jiu star signifies the movement of troops and horses.

經曰：客星者，非本位之星，故曰「客星」也。色白如氣，勃勃然，似粉絮。故所過之宿分野，必有災害。

The *Bing Jing Shuo* says: The guest star is not fixed in its position, hence it is called the "guest star." It appears white, like a mass of mist, spreading out and resembling scattered powder. Therefore, wherever it passes through a constellation, the region corresponding to that constellation will surely experience calamity.

客星出營室，無兵則兵起，有兵則兵敗。客星入奎，破軍殺將。客星犯婁，〈○張刻本作「奎」。〉胡人亂。客星入昴，胡人犯塞。客星入畢，邊有急兵。

A guest star appearing in the Encampment mansion indicates that war will arise where there was none before, and armies that were already engaged will suffer defeat. If a guest star enters the Legs mansion, the army will be defeated and generals will be killed. If a guest star invades the Bond mansion (a variant text reads 'Legs mansion'), it indicates rebellion by the Hu people. If a guest star enters the Hairy Head mansion, it signifies the Hu people invading the borders. If a guest star enters the Net mansion, it indicates urgent military affairs at the borders.

客星干觜，城堡虛，軍儲少，軍民餓死。客星守張，〈○張刻本有「主大風」三字。〉將軍有陰謀，兵起。客星入招搖，番兵大起。客星入天槍中，兵起。客星入天棓，兵起。

A guest star invading the Turtle Beak mansion indicates that fortresses are empty and military supplies are insufficient, leading to the death of soldiers and civilians from starvation. If the guest star remains in the Extended Net mansion, it suggests that the general harbors secret schemes and warfare will arise. If the guest star enters the招摇 star, it indicates that foreign tribes will launch a large-scale invasion. If the guest star enters the天枪 star, warfare will arise. If the guest star enters the天棓 star, warfare will arise.

客星犯文昌，將星色蒼，將有憂；色赤，將驚；色黃，將有喜；色黑，將死。客星守傳舍，胡人入中國。客星守天雞，天下兵馬盡驚。客星守天街，胡王死。客星入庫樓，與守南門，〈○張刻本作「南河」。〉守軍市，守老人，皆主兵起。

A guest star invading the Star of Examinations and Documents: if the General Star appears bluish-green, the general will be troubled; if it appears red, the general will be startled; if it appears yellow, the general will be joyful; if it appears black, the general will die. If the guest star stays at the Star of the Guest Inn, it indicates that the Hu people will enter the Central Plains. If the guest star stays at the Star of the Heavenly Rooster, it indicates that all military forces throughout the land will be startled. If the guest star stays at the Star of the Heavenly Street, it indicates that the ruler of the Hu people will die. If the guest star enters the Star of the Granary Tower, or stays at the Southern Gate Star (the Zhang edition reads 'Southern River'), or stays at the Military Market Star, or stays at the Elder Star, it indicates that warfare will arise.

客星守騎官，將憂，士卒散。客星入北落師門，虜人入塞，兵起。客星入天倉，粟大貴。客星入天廐，兵起，馬死。客星入天弓，天下弓弩皆張。

The guest star remaining at the Qiguan star indicates that the commander will have worries and the soldiers will scatter. If the guest star enters the Beiluoshimen star, it signifies that enemies will invade the border and warfare will arise. If the guest star enters the Heavenly Granary star, it indicates that grain prices will rise sharply. If the guest star enters the Tianjiu star, it suggests warfare will start and horses will die. If the guest star enters the Tian Gong star, it means that all bows and crossbows across the land will be drawn and ready.

客星出天弓，〈○張刻本作「天宮」。〉匈奴兵起。客星守狼，夷狄來降。客星守弧，南夷降。客星守車騎，西羌來降。客星守九州，殊▢，負海國不安。客星入天節，番王死。

A guest star emerging from the Heavenly Bow (the Zhang edition reads 'Heavenly Palace') indicates the rise of the Xiongnu and military conflicts. A guest star remaining at the Wolf Star indicates the approach of the northern barbarians to submit. A guest star remaining at the Bow and Arrow Star indicates the submission of the southern barbarians. A guest star remaining at the Carriage and Horse Star indicates the submission of the western Qiang people. A guest star remaining at the 'Nine Regions Different Mouths' star (the original text lacks one character here) indicates that the country by the sea will not be at peace. A guest star entering the Celestial Regulation Star indicates the death of the king of the outer tribes.

經曰：妖星者，五星之餘氣也，結而為妖，殊形異狀，凶多吉少，所見之分，必有災害。

The "Bing Jing Shuo" says: The demon star is formed from the leftover energy of the five planets, and it is an unusual star with various strange shapes. Most of them indicate misfortune, while few indicate good fortune. If it appears in a particular region, there will certainly be calamity in that area.

奔星所墜之下，有大兵來。流星前赤後黑，客兵敗散。流星從敵營上來我軍，上銳者，有間諜來說吾兵。流星尾長三四尺者，輝輝然，軍使也；色赤者，將軍使也。

Below where the falling star lands, there will be a large army coming. If the meteor has a red front and a black rear, it indicates that both the guest and host armies will be defeated and scattered. If the meteor flies from the enemy camp over our army, and its head is sharp, it indicates that there will be spies coming to persuade our soldiers. If the meteor's tail is three or four feet long and its light shines brightly, it signifies the image of messengers conveying military orders; if it appears red, it indicates the general sending out messengers.

流星色青赤，有光，尾長三四尺者，名曰「天雁」，將軍之精華也。兵從星所指者，勝。流星蒼白，為使；色赤，有兵；色黑，將死。飛星如大甕，後大，曉然白，〈○張刻本無此五字。〉前卑後高，所謂頓頑，大將死邑削。

A meteor with a blueish-red color, bright light, and a tail of three or four feet long is called "Tian Yan" (Heavenly Goose), formed from the vital energy of a general; if an army advances in the direction indicated by this star, it will achieve victory. A meteor of a pale white color signifies the presence of envoys; a red meteor indicates warfare; a black meteor signifies the death of a general. A flying star shaped like a large jar, with a thick and wide rear part, bright and white, and a low front and high back, is called "Dun Wen" (Stubborn Object), indicating the death of a general and the loss of his territory.

飛星後化雲者，名曰「大滑」，流血積骨之象。枉矢類流星，色青，蛇形，如矢而枉，道所指，將軍死。天狗如奔星，有聲，墜如火光，炎炎燭天，其下有積尺流血，狗來食之。

After a flying star passes and turns into clouds, it is called "Da Hua," indicating a sign of blood flowing everywhere and bones piled up. A type of meteor called "Wang Shi" appears as a long snake with a blue color, resembling a curved arrow; the direction it points to signifies the death of a general. The "Tian Gou" resembles a rushing star, falls with a sound, and descends like a flame lighting up the sky; where it falls, blood accumulates to a depth of one foot, and dogs come to lick it.

經曰：天地相感，陰陽相薄，謂之氣。久積而成雲，皆物形於下而氣應於上。是以荊軻入秦，白虹貫日；高祖在沛，肜雲上覆。積蜃之氣而成宮闕，精之積必形於雲之氣，故曰：「占氣而知其事，望雲而知其人也。」

The *Bingjing Shuo* says: Heaven and Earth mutually respond to each other, and yin and yang approach each other closely, and this is called "qi." When qi accumulates over a long period, it condenses into clouds. All these are results of forms taking shape below and corresponding phenomena appearing above. Therefore, when Jingke entered the State of Qin to carry out an assassination, a white rainbow pierced the sun in the sky; when Han Gaozu was still in Peixian, there was often a cloud covering his head. Sea mirages are palaces formed by accumulated mirage qi, showing that once refined qi accumulates, it must manifest as clouds. Therefore, it is said: "Observing qi can reveal what is about to happen, and looking at clouds can know who is there."

猛將之氣，如龍如虎，在殺氣中。猛將欲行，先發此氣；如無，將行，當有暴兵起。吉凶以日神占之。〈○張刻本「神」作「辰」。〉

The aura of a fierce general resembles a dragon or a tiger, appearing amidst a severe and killing atmosphere. When a fierce general is about to move out, this kind of aura will appear first. If such an aura is absent yet the general still moves out, sudden military calamity will arise. As for fortune or misfortune, it is determined by the day's heavenly stem. (In the Zhang edition, the character '神' is written as '辰'.)

猛將之氣，如煙如霧，沸如火光照夜。猛將之處，有赤白氣相遶。猛將之氣，如山林，如竹木，色如紫葢；如門樓，上黑下赤；如旌旗、如張弩、如塵埃，頭尖本大而高。〈○張刻本「多」下有「伏兵」句。〉兩軍相當，敵軍器上，氣如囷倉正白，見日愈明。此皆猛將之氣，不可擊也。

The aura of a fierce general is like smoke and mist, swirling like firelight illuminating the night sky. Where a fierce general is present, there is a red and white aura intertwining around him. The aura of a fierce general may resemble mountains and forests, or bamboo and trees, with a purple color like a canopy; or it may resemble a gatehouse, black on top and red at the bottom; or it may resemble banners, drawn bows, or rising dust, with a sharp top and a thick, tall base. When two armies face each other, the aura above the enemy's weapons appears like round granaries, pure white in color, and becomes even brighter under sunlight. All of these are the auras of fierce generals, and one must not attack recklessly.

敵人營上，氣黃白潤澤，將有威德，不可擊也。氣青白而高，將勇，大戰；前白如卑，後青如高，將怯士勇；前大後尖小，將怯不明。

The enemy's camp is marked by a yellow and white, moist color, indicating that the enemy commander is respected and virtuous, and thus should not be attacked. If the color is blue and white, and appears high and prominent, it suggests the commander is brave and there will be a major battle. If the front part is white and low, while the back part is blue and high, it indicates the commander is timid but the soldiers are brave. If the front part is thick and coarse, while the back part is sharp and thin, it suggests the commander is both timid and confused.

敵上氣黑中赤，在前者，將精悍不可當。敵上氣青而疏散者，將怯然；軍上氣發，漸漸如雲裡山形，將有陰謀，不可擊。若在吾軍之上，速戰大勝。敵上氣如蛟蛇向人，此猛將之氣，不可當。若在吾軍之上，速戰大勝。

The qi above the enemy's army is black with a reddish tinge, and the red color is prominent, indicating that the enemy general is shrewd and strong, unstoppable in attack. If the qi above the enemy's army appears green and sparse and scattered, it indicates that the enemy general is timid. If there is rising qi above the army, gradually forming the shape of clouds and mountain ranges, it suggests that the general has hidden intentions and is not to be attacked; if this qi appears above our army, we should fight quickly and achieve a great victory. If the qi above the enemy's army resembles a dragon or a long snake moving toward people, it is the qi of a fierce general, unstoppable in attack; if this qi appears above our army, we should also fight quickly and achieve a great victory.

氣如火光、如山隄、如塵埃粉沸、如黃白，旗旌無風而飄，揮揮指敵，此勝軍之氣，所在不可擊。雲氣如三匹帛，前橫後大，如樓椽、如赤色者，所在兵銳，不可擊。

The military aura resembles firelight, a mountain embankment, or dust and powder swirling, appearing yellowish-white. Banners wave vigorously without wind, pointing toward the enemy. This is the aura of an invincible army; the side where this aura is present should not be attacked. The cloud aura resembles three pieces of silk, with the front part spreading out horizontally and the rear part thick and heavy, or like the rafters of a building, or appears red. This indicates that the army on that side is sharp and powerful, and should not be attacked.

軍上有氣，如人持斧，如蛇舉首而向敵者，皆勝軍。氣如匹帛者，此助勝之氣，所在不可擊。軍上氣如覆舟、如牽牛、如鬬雞，所在不可擊。軍上有五色氣連天，不可擊。〈○此條依張刻本補。〉

The army is under the influence of a qi that appears like a person holding an axe, or like a snake raising its head toward the enemy; these are all symbols of an army that will surely win. If the qi appears like a piece of silk or cloth, it is an auspicious qi that aids victory, and the side where this qi is located should not be attacked. If the qi above the army resembles an overturned boat, or a pair of oxen, or fighting roosters, the side where this qi is located should also not be attacked. If there is a qi of five colors connecting to the sky above the army, the same rule applies; the side where this qi is located should not be attacked. (This passage is added according to the Zhang edition.)

軍上有雲氣，如華葢、如飛鳥、如伏虎，所在不可擊。軍上氣如五馬，頸低尾高，如杵、如赤馬；在黑氣中，如黑人；在赤氣中，如杵；在黑雲中，如人十十五五；旌旗在黑氣中，赤色在前者︰皆精悍，不可擊。

The military force above has clouds resembling Huagai, flying birds, or a crouching tiger; the area where these appear should not be attacked. The military force's aura resembles five horses with low necks and high tails, or resembles a wooden mallet or a red horse; within black clouds, the form of a man in black clothes appears; within red clouds, the form of a wooden mallet appears; within black clouds, the shapes of groups of people appear; the banners' aura is within black clouds with red in front: all these indicate the military force is strong and fierce, and should not be attacked.

敗軍之氣，如馬肝、如死灰、如偃葢、如臥魚，乍見乍隱，如霧之朦朧，此衰氣也。若居敵上，宜急擊之。雲氣如壞山，從軍營而墜，軍必敗。

The aura of a defeated army appears as a color resembling horse's liver or dead ashes, with a shape like an overturned umbrella or a lying fish. It flickers and fades, like mist that is indistinct. This is the aura of decline. If this aura appears over the enemy's army, one should attack swiftly. If clouds resemble a collapsing mountain falling from the army's camp, the army is certain to suffer defeat.

雲氣自黃昏發，〈○原本但有「氣昏發」三字，依張刻本補正。〉連夜照人，則軍士散亂。軍上有氣一斷一續者，軍必敗。軍上黑雲，如牛狀、如豬脂、如群羊，〈○張刻本云「軍上有黑雲氣，狀若半豬群羊」。〉名曰「瓦解之氣」，軍必敗。

Clouds arose from the evening hour (originally only the three characters "qi hun fa," corrected according to the Zhang edition), illuminating all night without dispersing, indicating that the soldiers in the army are scattered and disordered. The clouds above the army were intermittent, and this army will certainly suffer defeat. The black clouds above the army appeared like a half of a pig herd and sheep, named "Wajie qi" (dissolving clouds), and this army will certainly suffer defeat.

軍上有雲氣如雙蛇，急擊勿失。軍上氣，如塵灰、如粉、如煙雲霧，勃勃撩亂者，軍必敗。

The army above has clouds resembling two snakes; it should attack quickly and not miss the opportunity. The atmosphere above the army resembles dust, powder, and mist, swirling and chaotic; this army will surely suffer defeat.

軍上有五色雜氣，東西南北不定者，或如群鳥亂飛，或紛紛如轉蓬，或如敗船，或如臥人無手足，或如覆車，散亂不起者，皆敗軍之氣，擊之必克。〈○此下悉依　文瀾閣本。其張刻本與　閣本文全異，今不具列。〉

There is a chaotic mixture of five colors in the sky above the army, drifting aimlessly in all directions; some resemble a flock of birds flying in disorder, some look like swirling hemp fluff carried by the wind, some like a broken boat, some like a supine person without hands or feet, and some like an overturned cart, scattered and rising without order: these are all signs of a defeated army, and attacking them will surely result in victory. (The following entries are all based on the Wenlan Pavilion edition. The Zhang edition differs greatly from the Wenlan Pavilion edition, and these differences are not listed here.)

軍上氣上大下小者，士卒日減。軍上十日無氣者，其軍必敗。軍上十日無氣，忽有赤白氣，乍出卽滅者，外聲欲戰，實欲退散，宜擊之。

The qi above the army is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, indicating that the soldiers are decreasing day by day. If there is no qi above the army for ten consecutive days, this army is certain to fail. If there is no qi above the army for ten consecutive days, and then suddenly red and white qi appear but quickly disappear, this indicates that the enemy claims to be ready for battle but actually intends to retreat and scatter; in this case, one should attack.

軍上氣出而半絶者，欲散；漸盡去走，一絶一敗，再絶再敗，三絶三敗；在東發白氣，災深；赤氣如火光，從天而降，入軍中，兵亂將死。

When the qi rises above the army but is cut off halfway, it indicates the army will disperse. As the qi gradually diminishes, people gradually flee. Each time the qi is cut off, the army suffers a defeat. If the qi is cut off three times, the army suffers three defeats. If white qi rises in the east, the calamity becomes more severe. If red qi, like firelight, falls from the sky and lands among the troops, it signifies great disorder within the army and the death of the generals.

軍上氣蒼，須臾散盡，或前高後卑，或黑氣如牛馬形，從雲氣中漸入軍中，名曰「天狗食血」，其軍散敗。兩軍相當，十里之內，三里之外，望彼軍上氣高而前白後青者，敗氣也。

The qi above the army appears blue-green and dissipates completely within a short time; or it is high in front and low in the back; or there is black qi forming the shape of cattle or horses, gradually entering the army from the clouds: this is called "Heavenly Dog Eating Blood," and this army will disintegrate and be defeated. When two armies face each other, observing the qi above the opposing army from a distance of ten li but beyond three li, if the qi is tall and the front part is white while the back part is blue, it indicates a sign of defeat.

雲氣如人頭，雞兔臨軍上雲葢，蔽濛晝晦者，宜急走，不然必敗。軍上氣，先青而後黑者，其將必死。散軍之氣，如燃生草之煙，前雖銳而後必退。

Clouds resembling a human head, or like a chicken or a rabbit, forming a cloud cover over an army and obscuring the sky, making daylight seem like night, should prompt a swift retreat, for failure is certain. If the cloud above the army first appears green and then turns black, the general of that army is doomed to die. The aura of a disintegrating army resembles the smoke from burning green grass; although this army may be strong at first, it will eventually retreat.

軍上氣如丹蛇者，如尾在雲霧中，臨軍上者，中人與外人通。軍行有白氣，如豬來臨者，大驚，宜備。日暈有氣，如死蛇，屬暈者，不利先鋒。

The qi above the army resembles a red snake, with its tail hidden in the mist, pressing down upon the army, indicating that someone within the military is secretly communicating with outsiders. During the march, if white qi approaches like a pig, it signifies great disturbance within the army and a need for prior vigilance. If there is a shape resembling a dead snake on the solar halo, connected to it, it is unfavorable for the vanguard troops.

日暈旁有赤雲，如懸鐘，其下有死將。日月暈有背，所臨者敗。白虹及蜺，入營者敗。

A red cloud resembling a hanging bell appears beside the solar halo, indicating that a general will die in battle. If a reverse cloud appears above the solar or lunar halo, the direction the cloud points to will suffer defeat. If a white rainbow or a secondary rainbow enters a military camp, that army will be defeated.

日暈有四玦在外，軍悉敗散；日暈薄及後至，先去其下，敗軍來降。氣如人十十五五，皆低頭叉手相向；或氣如黑山，以為緣者；白氣如鳥，趣入屯營，連絡不絶，須臾下者︰當有來降。

Outside the halo around the sun, if there are four gaps, the army will all disperse. If the halo is thin, formed later, and first dissipates from below, it indicates that defeated troops will surrender. If the appearance resembles groups of people, all bowing and clasping hands facing each other; or if it resembles a black mountain with a certain object as its edge; or if white vapor resembles birds flying quickly into the camp, continuously and without pause, and then falls down all at once: these all indicate that someone will come to surrender.

正白如旌旗；或白氣如旗，而赤界其邊；或氣出於外，如火煙；或有雲分為兩截狀，如城壘︰皆堅而不可攻。白氣如城中南北出者，城中黑氣如星，名曰「軍精」，急宜解去。

The qi is pure white like a banner; or the white qi resembles a banner with red edges; or the qi rises beyond the city walls like smoke from a fire; or clouds divide into upper and lower parts, forming the shape of city walls: all these indicate that the city is strong and cannot be attacked by force. If white qi extends from the city to the north and south, and there is black qi in the shape of stars within the city, this is called 'military spirit.' The attacking force should quickly lift the siege and withdraw.

赤雲或黃雲臨城，城中喜；青雲從軍，城南北出者，不可攻。城中有雲，青色如牛頭，觸人外向者，城中有氣出東，其光黃大，堅城也。

Red clouds or yellow clouds appearing over the city indicate there will be good news within the city. If blue clouds come with the army and extend from both the north and south of the city, one should not attack the city. If within the city there are clouds of a blue color, shaped like a bull's head, showing a posture of pushing against people outwardly, and at the same time there is a strong yellow light coming from the east, this indicates a strong and difficult-to-take city; it should not be attacked.

白氣中出，青氣入北，反覆囘還，不可攻。凡攻城圍邑，過旬，不雷不雨者，為城輔，勿攻。

White mist comes out from the city, and blue mist enters from the north, swirling repeatedly and returning, so do not attack the city. Whenever attacking a city or surrounding a town, if more than ten days pass without thunder or rain, this is called 'City Support,' which means heaven is supporting the defenders of the city; do not attack.

城壘氣出於外，如煙火者，或如雙蛇，舉首向敵，或赤氣如杵，自城中出向外，內兵突出，客敗。凡攻城，有諸氣自城出，兵不得入。

The military aura of the city extends beyond its walls, resembling smoke and fire; or like two snakes raising their heads toward the enemy; or like red gas resembling a wooden mallet extending from the city outward: these all indicate that the defending forces will suddenly attack, leading to the defeat of the attacking army. Whenever an attack on a city occurs and various auras emerge from within the city, the attacking forces will be unable to penetrate.

濛氣繞城而不入城，外兵不得入。日暈有青氣，從中出四起者，圍中勝。

A mist surrounds the city but does not enter it, and the army outside cannot breach the city walls. If a green aura rises from the solar halo and spreads out in all directions, the party besieged within the city will prevail.

凡攻城，有黑氣臨城上者，積土固險之狀。黑者，水之氣，城池之象也。我據城，敵不可攻；敵據城，我不可攻。凡圍城，平旦視圍上，氣鬱鬱如火光芒，其勢翕翕然者，其方救至；無者，救不至。受圍者，望外救，亦以此占。

Whenever attacking a city, if there is a black cloud pressing over the city, it indicates a situation where the defenders are holding fast to the earth and defending from a strong position. Black is the color associated with water, and also symbolizes the city. In such a case, if our side occupies the city, the enemy cannot take it; if the enemy occupies the city, we also cannot take it. When a city is surrounded, observing the area above the encirclement in the morning, if the qi is thick and vigorous, like the glow of fire, and gathers together, then reinforcements are coming from that direction. If there is no such qi, reinforcements will not arrive. The besieged side, hoping for outside help, uses this method to predict the outcome.