天官書（上）

In the Central Palace, the Celestial Pole Star — its brightest member is the constant abode of the Great Unity (Taiyi). The three stars beside it represent the Three Dukes, or some say the Sons. Behind it curve four stars: the large star at the end represents the Principal Consort, and the remaining three are the Ladies of the Inner Palace. The twelve stars encircling them as guardians represent the screen-vassal ministers. This entire grouping is called the Purple Palace.

In the row before it, three stars aligned with the Dipper's mouth — following the northern tip to a point, sometimes visible, sometimes not — are called Hidden Virtue, or some say Celestial Unity. Three stars to the left of the Purple Palace are called the Celestial Lance; five stars to the right, the Celestial Staff. Behind, six stars spanning the Milky Way to reach the Encampment constellation form the Gallery Road.

The seven stars of the Northern Dipper are what the classics call 'the Lathe, the Armillary, and the Jade Crossbar, by which the Seven Luminaries are regulated.' The Handle connects to the Dragon's Horn; the Beam aligns with the Southern Dipper; the Bowl rests against the head of Orion. At dusk, the direction the Handle points establishes the month — the Handle governs the region from Mount Hua southwest. At midnight, the direction the Beam points establishes the month — the Beam governs the central provinces between the Yellow River and the Ji. At dawn, the direction the Bowl points establishes the month — the Bowl governs from the sea and Mount Tai northeast. The Dipper is the Emperor's Chariot, revolving at the center, presiding over the four directions. Dividing Yin and Yang, establishing the four seasons, equalizing the Five Phases, shifting the nodes and measures, setting the various cycles — all depend upon the Dipper.

The Eastern Palace is the Azure Dragon, with Fang (Room) and Xin (Heart) as its key asterisms. Heart is the Bright Hall: its large central star represents the Celestial King; the stars before and after it represent his sons. It should not appear in a straight line — if it does, the Celestial King will err in judgment. Room is the Treasury, also called the Celestial Quadriga. Its shadow side is the Right Outrider. Two stars beside it are called the Collar; one star to the north is the Linchpin. Twelve stars curving to the northeast form the Banner. Four stars within the Banner are the Celestial Market; six stars in the middle form the Market Tower. When the Market contains many stars, it signifies abundance; when empty, decline. Stars south of Room are the Cavalry Officers.

The Southern Palace is the Vermilion Bird, with Quan (Authority) and Heng (Balance) as its key asterisms. Balance is the Supreme Subtlety (Taiwei), the Court of the Three Luminaries. Its twelve guardian stars represent the screen-vassal ministers: to the west, generals; to the east, ministers; four stars to the south, law enforcement; in the center, the Main Gate; to the left and right of the gate, the Side Gates. Six stars within the gate represent the feudal lords. Five stars further inside represent the seats of the Five Emperors. Behind, a cluster of fifteen stars, brilliant and dense, is called the Court Attendants' Position; a single large star beside them marks the General's Position.

The Western Palace is the Salty Pool, also called the Celestial Five Marshes. The Five Marshes are the chariot lodgings of the Five Emperors. If Mars enters, drought; Venus, war; Mercury, flood. Three stars in the center are the Pillars; if the Pillars are incomplete, war breaks out.

Kui (Legs) is called the Sealed Boar, governing ditches and waterways. Lou (Bond) represents gathering multitudes. Wei (Stomach) is the Celestial Granary. Stars to its south are called Heaped Stores.

Mao (the Pleiades) is called the Bristle-Head — it is the barbarian star, portending gatherings of white-clad mourners. Bi (Net) is called the Screen Cart, governing border troops and hunting.

Shen (Orion) is the White Tiger. Three aligned stars form the Weighing Stone. Below are three pointed stars called Punishment, governing executions. Four outer stars form the left and right shoulders and thighs. Three small stars in a corner form Zui Xi (Turtle Beak), the tiger's head, governing garrison affairs.

The Northern Palace is the Dark Warrior, with Xu (Emptiness) and Wei (Rooftop) as its key asterisms. Rooftop governs building construction; Emptiness governs mourning and weeping.

Yingshi (Encampment) is the Purified Temple, also called the Detached Palace and Gallery Road.

The Southern Dipper (Nandou) is the Temple, with the Establishing Star to its north. The Establishing Star is a banner. Dragging Ox (Qianniu, Altair) governs sacrificial animals. To its north is the River Drum. The large star of the River Drum is the Supreme Commander; the two flanking stars are the Left and Right Commanders. Wunü (the Serving Maid) lies to its north, and further north is the Weaving Maid. The Weaving Maid is the granddaughter of the Celestial Maiden.

Observe the motions of the sun and moon to gauge Jupiter's forward and retrograde movements. Jupiter represents the East, Wood, governs Spring, and corresponds to the days jia and yi. When righteousness is violated, punishment manifests through Jupiter. Jupiter's advance or retreat determines the fate of the state where it lodges. A state where Jupiter lodges cannot be attacked — but it may punish others. When it advances ahead of schedule, this is called 'excess'; when it retreats, 'deficit.' In excess, the state will have war without recovery; in deficit, the state will have trouble, face destruction, and its government will collapse.

Observe the firm qi to determine Mars's position. Mars represents the South, Fire, governs Summer, and corresponds to the days bing and ding. When ritual propriety is violated, punishment manifests through Mars — this is what Mars's aberrant motion signifies. When it emerges, there is war; when it sets, war disperses. It determines the fate of the state by its lodging place. Mars signifies upheaval and rebellion, murder and treachery, disease, death, famine, and war. If it reverses course by two or more lodges and stations there, within three months there will be calamity, within five months an invasion, within seven months half the territory will be lost, within nine months most of the territory will be lost.

Calculate the conjunction of the Dipper to fix Saturn's position. Saturn represents the Center, Earth, governs Late Summer, corresponds to the days wu and ji, the Yellow Emperor, governing virtue and symbolizing the empress. Saturn lodges in one mansion per year; the state where it lodges prospers. If Saturn lodges where it should not, or departs and returns, the state where it returns will gain territory — or gain a woman.