Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 149

Records of Divination and Observation: Divination

Solar Divination, Part 1

When the feudal lords original: Zhu Hou (諸矦) — the regional rulers or vassals of the empire alter the established systems of the state, this is called Rebellion original: Pan (叛). If an eclipse repeats three times, or if the eclipse is followed by heavy winds and the shaking of the earth, the omens are severe.

Solar eclipses are also judged by the "Four Seasonal States" of the days on which they occur:

• If an eclipse occurs on a Sovereign day original: Wang (王). In traditional Chinese elemental theory (Wuxing), this is a day when the season's ruling element is at its peak power., it is an ill omen for the Sovereign.
• If it occurs on a Ministerial day original: Xiang (相), the Chancellor of the state will die.
• If it occurs on a Dying or Imprisoned day original: Qiu Si (囚死). These are days when the season's element is at its weakest or is being "conquered" by another element., ministers will overstep and oppress the monarch.
• If it occurs on a Resting or Declining day original: Xiu Fei (休廢), the common people will suffer from many plagues and epidemics original: Jiyi (疾疫).

Eclipses by Season:

Spring Eclipse: There will be a funeral for a noblewoman. Alternatively, the year will be one of great misfortune, a major imperial funeral will occur, or it will be an ill omen for the Empress.

Summer Eclipse: Many feudal lords will die. Alternatively, there will be no harvest literally "no year," implying a total failure of the crops.

Autumn Eclipse: There will be military action. Alternatively, there will be actual battles and warfare, and the commander or ruler will die.

Winter Eclipse: The Chancellor will die. Alternatively, there will be many deaths and funerals throughout the land.

Eclipses by Month:

An eclipse in the First Month the start of the lunar new year signifies that high-ranking ministers original: Dachen (大臣) will die; if they do not die, they will be dismissed from office.

• Alternatively: High ministers will flee.
• Alternatively: The people will suffer many illnesses.
• Alternatively: The Five Grains original: Wugu (五穀) — the staple crops: rice, broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, wheat, and beans will become expensive.
• The region of Qi roughly corresponding to modern-day Shandong province will face great disaster.
• Within a single day of the eclipse, war will break out and the people will be displaced.