Xuanyuan

蒼白氣入軒轅，後宮憂，有疾疫；赤氣入，宮憂火。

A greenish-white qi enters the Xuan Yuan star, indicating trouble in the inner court and an outbreak of epidemic diseases. A red qi entering the Xuan Yuan star signifies concern over fires in the palace.

黃氣入天相，相臣有喜；黑氣入天相，相臣死，不則有疾病；蒼白氣入，相臣憂；赤氣入，相臣憂；赤氣出，相出師。

Yellow qi entering the Seal star and star of livelihood indicates joy for the prime minister's minister; black qi entering the same star indicates the prime minister's minister will die or become ill; greenish-white qi entering brings worry for the prime minister's minister; red qi entering also brings worry; red qi exiting indicates the prime minister will lead troops on a military campaign.

赤氣入器府，天下樂廢。

Red qi enters the organ mansion star (which governs musical instruments), and the music affairs of the world will be abandoned and cease.

黃雲氣入大理，刑法官有遷。（巫咸曰：有赦。）黑氣入大理，決獄不平，刑，受誅。

Yellow clouds entering the Da Li star indicate that officials in charge of criminal law will be promoted (the original commentary cites Wu Xian saying: there will be an amnesty). Black clouds entering the Da Li star signify unjust judgments, and the officials will be punished for improper use of punishment.

黃雲氣入六甲，術士用；黃白氣入，太史受爵賜；黑氣入，太史憂。

Yellow clouds entering the Six Jia stars indicate that practitioners of esoteric arts are appointed; yellow and white clouds entering signify that the Astronomer Royal receives a title and rewards. Black clouds entering indicate that the Astronomer Royal faces worries.

黑氣入內廚，飲食防毒。

Black qi has entered the Inner Kitchen star, so the palace's food and drink should be cautious of someone attempting to poison.

雲氣五采入北斗，天子立太子，近期百日，遠二年。

Five-colored clouds enter the Big Dipper. The Son of Heaven will appoint a crown prince. The near fulfillment will occur within a hundred days, while the distant one will happen within two years.

黃白雲氣集輔星，相有喜；赤氣入輔星，相受斧鉞之誅；蒼白氣入輔星，相有憂；白氣入輔星，相黜；黑氣入輔星，相死。

Yellow and white clouds gathering over the auxiliary star indicate joy for the chancellor; red clouds entering the auxiliary star mean the chancellor will suffer punishment by斧钺; green and white clouds entering the auxiliary star indicate sorrow for the chancellor; white clouds entering the auxiliary star mean the chancellor will be dismissed; black clouds entering the auxiliary star indicate the chancellor's death.

赤雲氣入天理，兵大起，相出師。

Red clouds enter the Tianli star, indicating major military actions will commence, and the prime minister will lead the troops to campaign.

黃白氣入天相，將相有喜；黑氣入，將相憂死。

Yellow and white vapour entering the heavenly star indicates joy for generals and chancellors; black vapour entering indicates worries, calamities, and death for generals and chancellors.

黃氣入勢，中官受賜；赤氣出入，中官反；黑氣入，中官憂。

Yellow qi entering the momentum star indicates that eunuchs in the palace receive rewards; red qi entering and exiting the momentum star signifies that eunuchs plot rebellion; black qi entering indicates that eunuchs face worries.

黃氣入，將相喜；赤氣入，多敗傷；黑氣入，三公憂，將相死。

Yellow qi entering the Star of Ranks indicates joy for generals and prime ministers; red qi entering brings much loss and damage; black qi entering causes worry for the Three Dukes and death for generals and prime ministers.

黃氣入，天子先驅有拜賜者；赤氣入，大人憂。

Yellow qi enters the Tianbang star, indicating that among the officials who lead the emperor and clear the way, some will receive rewards and gifts; red qi enters the Tianbang star, indicating that a nobleman will have worries.

赤氣入天槍，天子驚恐，一曰失位；蒼白氣入，兵起。

Red qi enters the star Tianqiang, causing the emperor to be startled and uneasy; another interpretation says the emperor loses his throne. Greenish-white qi entering the star Tianqiang indicates the outbreak of military affairs.

黑氣入戈，胡兵退；蒼白雲氣入，胡人大疫死；赤氣出，胡兵大起。

Black qi entering the Xuan Ge star causes the Hu people's troops to retreat; pale blue cloud qi entering causes the Hu people to suffer greatly from plague and die in large numbers; red qi emerging from the Xuan Ge star leads to the Hu people's troops rising in great force.

赤氣入招搖正中，有兵內起，大將為亂；赤氣出於招搖，兵起，大戰；黃白氣出，天子以喜用師。

Red qi enters from the center towards the Chao Yao star, indicating a rebellion starting from within and a general causing disorder. If red qi exits from the Chao Yao star, military actions will arise and there will be a great battle. If yellow and white qi exit, the Son of Heaven will mobilize the army due to a joyful event.

黑氣出梗河，兵起，大戰；赤氣出梗河，國兵大出；入梗河，大戰；蒼白氣入，將死。

Black qi emerging from the star Jinghe indicates the outbreak of military conflicts and a great battle. Red qi emerging from the star Jinghe signifies the large-scale mobilization of national troops. Red qi entering the star Jinghe foretells a major battle. Qi that is green and white entering the star Jinghe indicates that the generals will die.

蒼白氣入貫索中，天子憂，亡地；出，則禍除；赤氣入，有內亂，兵起；赤氣出，內兵出；黃白氣入，天子有喜；黑氣入，大人惡之；赤白氣入，獄多枉死者。

A greenish-white qi entering the Guansuo star indicates the sovereign will have worries and will lose territory; when the qi leaves, the disaster is removed. A reddish qi entering causes internal turmoil and military conflicts; when the red qi leaves, the internal troops are mobilized. A yellowish-white qi entering signifies joy for the sovereign. A black qi entering is disliked by the nobleman. A reddish-white qi entering results in many wrongful deaths in prison.

黃氣出入女床，後宮有子，喜；白氣入，後宮有喪；黑氣入，有死者；青氣入，有病；赤氣入，宮中兵起。

Yellow qi entering and exiting the Nu Cang star indicates a joyful event with a birth in the palace; white qi entering signifies mourning in the palace; black qi entering means someone will die; green qi entering indicates someone will fall ill; red qi entering suggests military conflict arises in the palace.

黃氣入宦者，受賜；赤氣入宦者，誅；黑氣入宦者，死；赤氣出宦者，作奸蔽主。

Yellow qi entering the official star indicates that eunuchs receive rewards; red qi entering the official star indicates that eunuchs are executed; black qi entering the official star indicates that eunuchs die; red qi exiting from the official star indicates that eunuchs commit wrongful acts and deceive the sovereign.

蒼白氣入郎位，中兵起，一曰：中郎有內亂；出，則禍除；赤氣入，兵起；出郎位，多用兵遠出行；黃白氣入，中郎受賜。

A greenish-white qi enters the position of the Officer Star, indicating a rebellion within the palace, another interpretation suggests turmoil among the officials responsible for guarding the imperial court; when the qi leaves, the disaster is dispelled. Red qi entering signifies military actions; when red qi leaves from the Officer Star, there are often military campaigns and travel. Yellowish-white qi entering indicates that the officials of the middle Officer position receive rewards.

青黑氣入，有大風雨，期三日，遠七日；黃氣入，太史喜；赤白氣入，太史有憂。

The color of green and black enters the Lingtai star, indicating a great storm and rain, which will occur within three days, at the latest seven days; the color of yellow entering indicates joy for the Grand Astrologer; the color of red and white entering indicates sorrow for the Grand Astrologer.

蒼白氣入少微，賢士憂，一曰：大臣黜；赤氣入，宰臣謀叛。

A greenish-white vapor entering the star Xiaowei indicates that a virtuous person is in distress; another interpretation says that a high-ranking minister is dismissed. A reddish vapor entering the star Xiaowei suggests that a prime minister is plotting rebellion.

蒼白氣入長垣，胡兵起；赤氣入，胡兵入，有火災；赤氣出，邊兵起。

The greenish-white qi entering the Changyuan star indicates the rise of Hu troops; red qi entering signifies Hu troops entering the territory and a fire disaster; red qi exiting indicates military activities at the borders.

青雲氣入攝提，九卿有憂；黃氣入，九卿有賞；赤氣入，戈盾用事；黑氣入，大臣誅。

Clouds of blue color entering the star of SheTi indicate worry among the Nine Ministers; clouds of yellow color entering indicate the Nine Ministers will receive rewards; clouds of red color entering indicate military weapons and shields will be used, and warfare is about to occur; clouds of black color entering indicate ministers will be executed.

太公曰：凡興軍動眾陳兵，天必見其雲氣，示之以安危，故勝則可逆知也。其軍中有知曉時氣者，厚寵之，常令清朝，若日午，察彼軍及我軍上氣色，皆須記之，若軍上氣不盛，加警備守，輒勿輕戰，戰則不足，守則有餘。

Chang Taigong said: Whenever armies mobilize and deploy troops, the heavens will surely display corresponding clouds to indicate safety or danger, so the outcome of battle can be foretold in advance. If there is someone in the army who understands the art of observing atmospheric phenomena, he should be highly favored and trusted, and should often be sent at dawn or noon to observe the cloud colors above both the enemy's and our own armies, recording them carefully. If the clouds above our army are not strong, we should increase vigilance and defense, and must not rashly engage in battle—during such times, attacking would mean insufficient strength, while holding ground would be more than sufficient.

察氣者，軍之大要，常令三五人，參馬登高若臨下察之，進退以氣為候。

Observing cloud formations is the top priority in military affairs. The army should assign three or five people to be stationed on high ground, either mounted or in a commanding position, to observe the clouds. Whether to advance or retreat should be decided based on the signs indicated by the cloud formations.

凡興兵動眾，忌大風雷而陰不見日。

Whenever mobilizing a large army, one must avoid days with strong winds and thunder, and days when the sky is overcast and the sun is not visible. Such weather portends an unfavorable military campaign and should be avoided.

凡氣初出如甑，上氣勃勃，上積為霧，霧為陰險，氣為虹霓，若暈珥之屬，如不積不結，散漫一方，不能為災，必和雜殺氣，森森然疾起，乃可論占。常以平旦、下晡、日出沒時候之，期內有風雨，災不成；或有黑氣如幢，出於營中，上黑下黃，敵欲來求戰，無誠實言，及九日內必覺，備之吉；或日月陰沉無光，不雨，或十日晝夜無光，不見日月，名曰蒙，日久陰不雨，下謀上也。

When clouds first appear, their shape resembles a steamer used for cooking rice. The cloud mass rolls and surges above, accumulating into mist, which indicates plots and dangers. If the clouds form into rainbows or appear as bright halos or ear-like lights around the sun or moon, they are of the same nature. If such clouds neither accumulate nor condense, but instead spread out loosely over an area, they do not cause disaster and should not be used for divination. Only when these clouds mix with "kill energy" and rise swiftly and ominously can they be considered for divination. The usual times for observation are "pingdang" (just before dawn), "xiabu" (the time approaching evening in the hour of Shen), as well as during sunrise and sunset. If rain or wind occurs within the expected period, the disaster will not materialize. If dark clouds resembling military banners rise from the camp, with the upper part black and the lower part yellow, this indicates the enemy intends to challenge, but with no sincere intentions. This situation will certainly be detected within nine days, and being prepared in advance is auspicious. If the sun and moon appear dark and lack brightness, and the sky does not rain, or if there is continuous ten days of darkness with no visibility of sun or moon, this is called "Meng," meaning prolonged overcast weather without rain, indicating those in lower positions plotting against those in higher positions.

凡敵軍上氣黃白潤澤者，將有威德；或軍上氣發，漸漸如云，變作山形，將有深謀；或敵上氣黑中，赤在前者，將精悍；皆不得擊。凡氣上與天連，軍中將賢良也。

The clouds above the enemy's camp appearing yellowish-white and moist with a lustrous sheen indicate that the enemy commander possesses both prestige and virtue. If the cloud-like vapor above the enemy's camp rises gradually, spreads out like clouds, and then takes the shape of mountains, it suggests that the enemy commander has deep and far-reaching strategies. If the clouds above the enemy's camp are black, with red clouds in front, it indicates that the enemy commander is shrewd and strong. In encountering these three types of atmospheric phenomena, one should not launch an attack. Whenever the clouds rise straight upward and connect with the celestial sign, it signifies that the commander of that army is a virtuous and capable leader.

凡氣，如龍如虎，或如火煙之形，或如火光之狀，或如山林，或如塵埃，頭尖而卑，或氣黑如門上樓，皆猛將氣也。

Clouds with shapes resembling dragons, tigers, smoke from burning fire, flames, continuous mountain forests, or dust rising with sharp peaks and low position, or dark colors like the towers on city gates, these are all signs of a fierce general's "fierce general aura."

凡敵上氣青而疏散者，將怯弱；若前大後小者，將怯不明。凡軍上氣，渾渾圓長，赤氣在其中，或有氣如赤杵在黑雲中，皆有伏兵；或兩軍相當，赤氣在前後左右者，有伏兵，隨氣所在防之；或有雲，絞絞綿綿，此以車騎為伏兵；或有雲，如布席之狀，此以步卒為伏兵；或有雲，如山嶽，在外有伏兵，不可不審也。

The air above the enemy's camp appears green and thin, scattered and disordered, indicating that the enemy commander is timid and weak. If the air is large in front and small at the back, it suggests that the enemy commander is fearful and lacks clarity. Whenever the air above a military camp is thick, round, and long, with red air mixed in the middle, or if there is an air formation resembling a red wooden hammer standing in black clouds, it indicates the presence of hidden troops. When two armies face each other, if red air appears in front, behind, left, or right, there are hidden troops in that direction, and one should be vigilant and prepared accordingly. If the clouds are twisted and entangled, continuous and unbroken, it indicates that cavalry are used as hidden troops. If the clouds resemble a spread-out mat, it indicates that infantry are used as hidden troops. If the clouds appear as high and massive as mountains, then the hidden troops are stationed on the outer perimeter. These observations must all be carefully examined.

凡降城之氣如人，十十五五，皆叉手低頭，降之象；或有氣，上黃下白，名曰喜氣，所臨之軍，欲求和退；若風不蓬勃，旌旗暈暈，順風而揚舉，或向敵終日，軍行有功，勝候也。

When a city is about to surrender, the clouds above take the shape of people, gathering in groups of three or five, or in tens, all bowing their hands and looking down. This is a sign of surrender. If the cloud color is yellow on top and white at the bottom, it is called "happy cloud," and the army under its cover is likely to seek peace and retreat. If the wind is not fierce, the banners are spread out and bright, rising high with the wind, or pointing toward the enemy all day, this is a sign that the army will achieve victory and surely win the battle.

凡敵軍上氣如山堤上林木，不可與戰，在吾軍，大勝；或如火光，亦大勝；或敵上白氣坌沸如樓，綠以赤氣者，兵勁不可擊，在吾軍，必大勝。

The enemy's army above appears as a mountain ridge or embankment with rows of trees; it is not advisable to fight against them. If this appearance is seen above our army, it indicates a great victory. If the appearance is like firelight, it also indicates a great victory. If the enemy's camp above shows a white vapor rising vigorously like a tall building, and is intertwined with red vapor, it indicates the enemy's forces are strong and not to be attacked. If this appearance is seen above our army, it certainly means a great victory.

或敵上氣黃白厚潤而重者，勿與戰；或遙視軍上雲如鬥雞，赤白相隨在氣中，得天助，不可擊。

If the qi above the enemy's camp appears yellowish-white, thick, moist, and heavy, do not engage in battle. If from a distance you see the clouds above the enemy's camp resembling two fighting roosters, with red and white colors preceding and following each other in the qi, it indicates that the enemy has received heavenly assistance, and thus should not be attacked.

兩軍相當，上有氣如蛇舉頭向敵者，戰必勝。

Two armies are evenly matched and facing each other. If there is a phenomenon in the sky above our side resembling a snake with its head high up and directly facing the enemy's position, it indicates a dominant and aggressive momentum, ensuring victory in the battle.

凡軍營上有五色氣，上與天連，此應天之軍，不可擊；有赤黃氣於天，亦不可攻；或有雲如日月，而赤氣繞之，如日暈狀有光者，所見之地大勝，不可攻也；敵上氣如虎狀，其軍亦不可攻也。

A military camp has a mist of five colors above it, which connects upward with the Seal star and star of livelihood. This is an army in accordance with heavenly mandate, and it should not be attacked. If there is a red-yellow mist in the sky, it also should not be attacked. If there are clouds resembling the sun or the moon, with red mist surrounding them, forming a bright halo like a solar eclipse, then the side where this mist appears will achieve a great victory, and it should not be attacked. If the mist above the enemy's camp resembles a tiger, then the enemy's army should also not be attacked.

若逆風來應，氣旁勃，牙旗陰折，不見日，旌旗激揚，敗候也；若雲氣從敵所來，終日不止，吾軍不可出，出則不利；若風雲俱來，此為敗候，在急也。

If the wind blows against the direction it should and corresponds, with the qi rushing sideways and surging, the general's banner flag breaks unexpectedly, the sky is gloomy and the sun is not visible, and the banners are blown wildly, this is a sign of defeat. If the clouds come pressing from the enemy's side and do not cease all day, the army should not go out to fight, for if they do, it will certainly be disadvantageous. If both the wind and clouds surge together, this is also a sign of defeat, and the situation is urgent.

凡敵上氣，色如馬肝，如死灰，或類偃蓋，敗徵；或黑氣如壞山墮軍上者，軍必敗；或軍上氣昏發，連夜照人，則軍士散亂；或軍上氣，有五色雜亂，東西南北不定者，其軍必敗；或軍上有赤氣，炎炎降天，將死，眾亂；或軍上有黑氣，如牛馬形，從氣霧中下，漸漸入軍，名曰天狗下食血，敗軍也；或有雲氣蓋道，蒙蔽盡山，此敗候也。

The air above the enemy camp, appearing like horse's liver, or like dead ashes, or like an overturned carriage cover, is a sign of defeat. If dark clouds fall like a collapsing mountain onto the camp, the army will surely fail. If a dull mist rises above the camp and continues for several nights, showing human shadows, the soldiers will become scattered and confused. If the air above the camp is a mixture of all colors, drifting unpredictably east to west, north to south, the army will certainly fail. If red clouds descend fiercely from the sky onto the camp, the commander will die and the troops will be in great disorder. If dark clouds appear in the shape of cattle or horses, descending from the mist and gradually entering the camp, this is called 'Heavenly Dog eating blood,' which is a sign of defeat. If clouds block the roads and cover the entire mountain, this is also a sign of defeat.

凡城中有白氣如旗者，不可攻；或有黃雲臨城，有大喜慶；或有青色如牛頭觸人者，其城不可攻屠；或城中氣出東方，其色黃，此天鉞也，不可伐，伐者死；或城上氣如火煙，主人慾出戰，其氣無極者，不可攻；或氣如杵，從城中向外者，內兵突出，主人勝，不可攻；或城上有雲，分為兩彗狀者，攻不可得。

There is white gas within the city rising like a banner, indicating it should not be attacked. Yellow clouds covering the city signify great joy and celebration within. Green gas emerging from the city like the forehead of a bull indicates the city cannot be captured or destroyed. Gas rising from the east within the city with a yellow color is called 「Yin Benefactor」, meaning it should not be attacked, for the attacker will die. If there is gas resembling smoke from fire on the city, it indicates the defenders wish to fight. If this gas continues without end, attacking is not advisable. If there is gas resembling a wooden mallet extending outward from the city, it means the troops inside will attempt to break out, and the defenders will win, so attacking is not advisable. If clouds on the city form two comet tails, the city cannot be captured by attack.