1
}}晉惠帝元康二年二月，天西北大裂。 按劉向說：「天裂，陽不足； 地動，陰有餘。」 是時人主拱默，婦后專制。
In the second year of Yuankang (292 CE), during the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin, the northwestern sky rent apart in the second month. Liu Xiang explained the omen thus: "A rent in the heavens means yang is deficient; earthquakes mean yin is in surplus." At the time the emperor sat in silence and left affairs to others, while the empress held sole power.
2
元康三年四月，熒惑守太微六十日。 占曰：「諸侯三公謀其上，必有斬臣。」 一曰：「天子亡國。」 是春，太白守畢，至是百餘日。 占曰：「有急令之憂。」 一曰：「相亡。 又為邊境不安。」 是年，鎮、歲、太白三星聚于畢昴。 占曰：「為兵喪。 畢昴，趙地也。」 後賈后陷殺太子，趙王廢后，又殺之，斬張華、裴頠，遂篡位，廢帝為太上皇。 天下從此遘亂連禍。
In the fourth month of the third year of Yuankang (293 CE), Mars lingered in the Taiwei asterism for sixty days. The omen was read as follows: "Regional lords and the three highest ministers will plot against the throne, and ministers will be put to death." A second interpretation: "The emperor will lose his realm." That spring Venus had taken up station at the Bi asterism and, by this time, had remained there for more than a hundred days. The omen signified alarm over sudden imperial orders. Another reading: "The chief minister will die. It also foretold turmoil along the frontier." That same year Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus converged in the Bi and Mao asterisms. The reading was: "War and funerals will follow. Bi and Mao are the celestial correlates of the Zhao region." In the sequel Empress Jia framed and murdered the heir apparent; the Prince of Zhao deposed and killed her, executed Zhang Hua and Pei Wei, seized the throne, and reduced Emperor Hui to a retired sovereign. From that point the empire entered an unbroken chain of rebellion and disaster.
3
元康五年四月，有星孛于奎，至軒轅、太微，經三台、大陵。 占曰：「奎為魯，又為庫兵，軒轅為後宮，太微天子廷，三台為三司，大陵有積屍死喪之事。」 明年，武庫火，西羌反。 後五年，司空張華遇禍，賈后廢死，魯公賈謐誅。 又明年，趙王倫篡位。 於是三王興兵討倫，士民戰死十餘萬人。
In the fourth month of the fifth year of Yuankang (295 CE), a comet blazed at Kui and swept on through Xuanyuan and Taiwei, crossing the Three Terraces and Great Mound asterisms. The omen was interpreted thus: "Kui corresponds to Lu and to the weapons storehouse; Xuanyuan to the harem; Taiwei to the imperial court; the Three Terraces to the three chief ministers; and Great Mound to mass death and mourning." The following year the imperial arsenal burned, and the Western Qiang rose in revolt. Five years on, Zhang Hua as Minister of Works was destroyed, Empress Jia was deposed and killed, and Jia Mi, Duke of Lu, was put to death. Yet another year on, the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun, seized the throne. The three princes then took the field against Lun, and well over a hundred thousand fighting men and common people perished in the fighting.
4
元康六年六月丙午夜，有枉矢自斗魁東南行。 桉占曰：「以亂伐亂。 北斗主執殺，出斗魁，居中執殺者不直象也。」 十月，太白晝見。 後趙王殺張、裴，廢賈后，以理太子之寃，因自篡盜，以至屠滅。 以亂伐亂，兵喪臣強之應也。
At midnight on a bingwu day in the sixth month of the sixth year of Yuankang (296 CE), a Crooked Arrow comet shot out from the head of the Northern Dipper and ran southeast. The reading given was: "Rebellion will destroy rebellion. The Northern Dipper presides over executions; a star issuing from its head signifies a killer at the heart of power who lacks legitimacy." In the tenth month Venus appeared in broad daylight. Afterward the Prince of Zhao executed Zhang and Pei, deposed Empress Jia under the pretext of avenging the heir apparent, then usurped power himself and was annihilated in the bloodshed that followed. Rebellion consuming rebellion fulfilled the omen of war, slaughter, and ministers grown too strong.
5
元康九年二月，熒惑守心。 占曰：「王者惡之。」 八月，熒惑入羽林。 占曰：「禁兵大起。」 後二年，惠帝見廢為太上皇，俄而三王起兵討倫，倫悉遣中軍兵，相距累月。
In the second month of the ninth year of Yuankang (299 CE), Mars lingered at Antares in the Heart asterism. The omen was read as ill fortune for the sovereign. In the eighth month Mars entered the Feathered Forest, the asterism of the imperial guard. The reading was: "The palace armies will mobilize on a vast scale." Two years on, Emperor Hui was reduced to retired emperor; before long the three princes marched against Lun, who committed his entire central army to the field, and the armies stood opposed for months on end.
6
晉惠帝永康元年三月，妖星見南方，中台星坼，太白晝見。 占曰：「妖星出，天下大兵將起。 台星失常，三公憂。 太白晝見為不臣。」 是月，賈后殺太子，趙王倫尋廢殺后及司空張華，又廢帝自立。 於是三王並起，迭總大權。
In the third month of the first year of Yongkang (300 CE), an ominous star showed in the south, the Central Terrace star fractured, and Venus shone by day. The omen signified that when a malign star appeared, empire-wide war would soon break out. An irregularity in the Terrace stars portended distress for the three highest ministers. Venus shining by day foretold treacherous subjects. That same month Empress Jia murdered the heir apparent; before long the Prince of Zhao deposed and killed her along with Zhang Hua as Minister of Works, then set aside the emperor and declared himself ruler. The three princes then rose together, each in turn seizing paramount authority.
7
永康元年五月，熒惑入南斗。 占曰：「宰相死，兵大起。 斗又吳分也。」 是時趙王倫為相，明年篡位，三王興師誅之。 太安二年，石冰破揚州。
In the fifth month of Yongkang 1, Mars entered the Southern Dipper. The omen read: "The chief minister will perish and war will erupt on a vast scale. The Dipper is also the celestial correlate of Wu." At the time the Prince of Zhao served as chief minister; the following year he seized the throne, and the three princes took the field to destroy him. In the second year of Taian (302 CE), Shi Bing overran Yangzhou.
8
永康元年八月，熒惑入箕。 占曰：「人主失位，兵起。」 十二月，彗出牽牛之西，指天市。 占曰：「牛者七政始，彗出之，改元易號之象也。」 天市一名天府，一名天子禖，帝座在其中。 明年，趙王篡位，改元，尋為大兵所滅。
In the eighth month of Yongkang 1, Mars entered the Winnowing Basket asterism. The reading was: "The sovereign will lose his throne and war will break out." In the twelfth month a comet rose west of the Lead Ox and aimed toward the Celestial Market Enclosure. The omen was read: "The Lead Ox marks the starting point of the seven regulators; a comet there portends a change of reign era and imperial title." The Celestial Market is also known as the Heavenly Treasury and the Son of Heaven's Spirit Altar; the emperor's throne star sits within it. The following year the Prince of Zhao seized power and proclaimed a new era; before long he was annihilated by the armies raised against him.
9
永康二年二月，太白出西方，逆行入東井。 占曰：「國失政，臣為亂。」 四月，彗星見齊分。 占曰：「齊有兵喪。」 是時齊王冏起兵討趙王倫。 倫滅，冏擁兵不朝，專權淫奓，明年誅死。
In the second month of Yongkang 2, Venus appeared in the west, turned retrograde, and entered the Eastern Well asterism. The omen signified that the state would lose its proper governance and ministers would rise in rebellion. In the fourth month a comet showed in the celestial territory of Qi. The reading was: "Qi will see war and death." At the time the Prince of Qi, Sima Jiong, took the field against the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun. After Lun's fall Jiong kept his troops and refused to come to court, seized sole authority and grew arrogant and dissolute, and was put to death the following year.
10
晉惠帝永寧元年，自正月至于閏月，五星互經天。 星傳曰：「日陽，君道也。 星陰，臣道也。 日出則星亡，臣不得專也。 晝而星見午上者為經天，其占為不臣，為更王。 今五星悉經天，天變所未有也。」 石氏說曰：「辰星晝見，其國不亡，則大亂。」 是後台鼎方伯，互秉大權，二帝流亡，遂至六夷強，迭據華夏，亦載籍所未有也。
Throughout the first year of Yongning (301 CE), from the first month through the intercalary month, all five planets in succession crossed the sky at midday. Star lore holds that "the sun is yang and embodies the ruler's way; the stars are yin and embody the minister's way. When the sun rises the stars disappear, and ministers must not seize independent power. A star visible at noon on the meridian is said to cross heaven; the omen is treason and a change of ruler. Now all five planets crossed the meridian by day—a heavenly anomaly without precedent. The Shi school's reading held: "If Mercury appears by day, the realm will either fall or plunge into great disorder." Afterward powerful ministers and regional lords seized power in turn; two emperors were driven into exile; and eventually the six non-Chinese peoples grew mighty and one after another held the heartland—again an event without parallel in the historical record.
11
永寧元年五月，太白晝見。 占同前條。 七月，歲星守虛危。 占曰：「木守虛危，有兵憂。」 一曰：「守虛飢； 守危徭役煩，下屈竭。」 辰星入太微。 占曰：「為內亂。」 一曰：「羣臣相殺。」 太白守右掖門。 占曰：「為兵，為亂，為賊。」 八月戊午，鎮星犯左執法，又犯上相。 占曰：「上相憂。」 熒惑守昴。 占曰：「趙、魏有災。」 辰星守輿鬼。 占曰：「秦有災。」 九月丁未，月犯左角。 占曰：「人主憂。」 一曰：「左將軍死，天下有兵。」
In the fifth month of Yongning 1, Venus appeared in daylight. The omen is interpreted as in the preceding passage. In the seventh month Jupiter lingered in the Emptiness and Rooftop asterisms. The omen read: "Jupiter at Emptiness and Rooftop portends the threat of war." Another reading: "Lingering at Emptiness means famine; at Rooftop means corvée burdens grow heavy and the common people are driven to exhaustion." Mercury entered the Taiwei Enclosure. The omen signified civil strife within the court. Another reading: "The ministers will slaughter one another." Venus lingered at the Right Rear Gate of the palace enclosure. The reading was: "War, rebellion, and treachery will follow." On a wuwu day in the eighth month Saturn trespassed against the Left Law Enforcer star and then against the Upper Minister star. The omen portended calamity for the chief minister. Mars lingered in the Hairy Head asterism. The reading was: "Disaster will strike the Zhao and Wei regions." Mercury lingered at the Carriage Ghost asterism. The omen signified disaster for the Qin region. On a dingwei day in the ninth month the moon trespassed against the Left Horn star. The reading was: "The sovereign will face grave anxiety." Another reading: "The Left General will perish and war will spread across the empire."
12
二年四月癸酉，歲星晝見。 占曰：「為臣強。」 十月，熒惑太白鬭于虛危。 占曰：「大兵起，破軍殺將。 虛危，又齊分也。」 十二月，熒惑襲太白于營室。 占曰：「天下兵起，亡君之戒。」 一曰：「易相。」 初齊王冏定京都，因留輔政，遂專慠無君。 是月，成都、河間檄長沙王乂討之。 冏、乂交戰，攻焚宮闕。 冏兵敗夷滅，又殺其兄上軍將軍寔以下二十餘人。 太安二年，成都攻長沙，於是公私飢困，百姓力屈。
On a guiyou day in the fourth month of the second year, Jupiter shone by day. The omen signified that ministers had grown too strong. In the tenth month Mars and Venus clashed in the Emptiness and Rooftop asterisms. The omen read: "War on a vast scale will erupt; armies will be shattered and commanders slain. Emptiness and Rooftop are also the celestial correlates of Qi." In the twelfth month Mars struck at Venus in the Encampment asterism. The reading was: "Empire-wide war will break out—a warning that the sovereign may be lost." Another reading: "The chief minister will be changed." At first the Prince of Qi, having pacified the capital, stayed on as regent; he then seized sole authority and behaved with arrogant disregard for the throne. That month the princes of Chengdu and Hejian issued calls to arms summoning the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai, to march against him. Jiong and Ai battled each other, assaulting and setting fire to the palace compounds. Jiong's forces were crushed and he was annihilated; more than twenty of his family followed him to death, including his elder brother Shi as General of the Upper Army. In Taian 2 the Prince of Chengdu attacked the Prince of Changsha; famine gripped public granaries and private households alike, and the people were driven past endurance.
13
晉惠帝太安二年二月，太白入昴。 占曰：「天下擾，兵大起。」 三月，彗星見東方，指三台。 占曰：「兵喪之象。 三台為三公。」 七月，熒惑入東井。 占曰：「兵起國亂。」 是秋，太白守太微上將。 占曰：「上將將以兵亡。」 是年冬，成都、河間攻洛陽。 三年正月，東海王越執長沙王乂，張方又殺之。
In the second month of Taian 2 (302 CE), during the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin, Venus entered the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "The empire will fall into turmoil and war will erupt on a vast scale." In the third month a comet showed in the east, its tail aimed at the Three Terraces. The omen read: "War and death. The Three Terraces correspond to the three chief ministers." In the seventh month Mars entered the Eastern Well asterism. The omen read: "War will break out and the realm will be thrown into chaos." That autumn Venus lingered at the Senior General star in the Taiwei enclosure. The reading was: "The senior general will die in battle." That winter the princes of Chengdu and Hejian marched on Luoyang. In the first month of Taian 3 the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, seized the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai, and Zhang Fang then put him to death.
14
太安二年八月，長沙王奉帝出距二王，庚午，舍于玄武館。 是日天中裂為二，有聲如雷。 三占同元康，臣下專僭之象也。 是時長沙王擅權，後成都、河間、東海又迭專威命，是其應也。
In the eighth month of Taian 2 the Prince of Changsha led the emperor out to oppose the two princes; on a gengwu day they halted at the Black Tortoise Lodge. That day the sky at the meridian rent in two, with a thunderous roar. All three readings matched those of Yuankang—an omen of subordinates seizing authority and acting above their station. At the time the Prince of Changsha held sole power; afterward the princes of Chengdu, Hejian, and Donghai each in turn commanded by their own authority—and so the omen was fulfilled.
15
太安二年十一月辛巳，有星晝隕中天，北下有聲如雷。 桉占，「名曰營首，營首所在，下有大兵流血。」 明年，劉淵、石勒攻略并州，多所殘滅。 王浚起燕、代，引鮮卑攻掠鄴中，百姓塗地。 有聲如雷，怒之象也。
On an xinsi day in the eleventh month of Taian 2 a star fell by day at the meridian, and to the north below came a thunderous crash. The omen was read thus: "It is named Camp Head; wherever Camp Head appears, great armies below will shed blood." The following year Liu Yuan and Shi Le overran Bing Province, leaving widespread devastation in their wake. Wang Jun raised forces in Yan and Dai and led Xianbei raids against Ye; the people were slaughtered until the land ran with blood. The thunderous sound signified celestial anger.
16
太安二年十一月庚辰，歲星入月中。 占曰：「國有逐相。」 十二月壬寅，太白犯月。 占曰：「天下有兵。」 太安三年正月己卯，月犯太白，占同青龍。 熒惑入南斗，占同永康。 是月，熒惑又犯歲星。 占曰：「有大戰。」 七月，左衞將軍陳眕率眾奉帝伐成都，六軍敗績，兵逼乘輿。 九月，王浚又攻成都于鄴，鄴潰，成都王由是喪亡。 帝還洛，張方脅如長安。 是時天下盜賊羣起，張昌尤盛。 後二年，惠帝崩。
On a gengchen day in the eleventh month of Taian 2 Jupiter entered the moon. The omen read: "The state will expel its chief minister." On a renyin day in the twelfth month Venus crossed the moon. The reading was: "War will engulf the empire." On a jimao day in the first month of Taian 3 the moon crossed Venus; the omen was read as in Qinglong. Mars entered the Southern Dipper; the reading matched that of Yongkang. That same month Mars crossed Jupiter again. The omen read: "A great battle will follow." In the seventh month Left Guard General Chen Zhen marched with the emperor against the Prince of Chengdu; the imperial armies were crushed and rebel troops closed in on the sovereign's carriage. In the ninth month Wang Jun again assailed the Prince of Chengdu at Ye; the city fell, and the Prince of Chengdu was destroyed. The emperor returned to Luoyang, only for Zhang Fang to force him onward to Chang'an. At the time rebels and bandits rose everywhere; Zhang Chang's uprising was the fiercest of all. Two years later Emperor Hui passed away.
17
晉惠帝永興元年五月，客星守畢。 占曰：「天子絕嗣。」 一曰：「大臣有誅。」 七月庚申，太白犯角、亢，經房、心，歷尾、箕。 九月，入南斗。 占曰：「犯角，天下大戰； 犯亢，有大兵，人君憂； 入房、心，為兵喪； 犯尾，將軍與民人為變； 犯箕，女主憂。」 一曰：「天下亂。 入南斗，有兵喪。」 一曰：「將軍為亂。」 其所犯守，又兗、豫、幽、冀、揚州之分也。 是年七月，有蕩陰之役。 九月，王浚殺幽州刺史和演，攻鄴，鄴潰。 於是兗、豫為天下兵衝。 陳敏又亂揚土，劉淵、石勒、李雄等並起微賤，跨有州郡。 皇后羊氏數被幽廢。 光熙元年，惠帝崩，終無繼嗣。
In the fifth month of Yongxing 1, during the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin, a guest star lingered at the Net asterism. The omen read: "The emperor's line will end without succession." A second reading: "Ministers will be put to death." On a gengshen day in the seventh month Venus crossed the Horn and Neck, passed through the Room and Heart, and swept on through the Tail and Winnowing Basket. In the ninth month it entered the Southern Dipper. The reading was: "Crossing the Horn foretells empire-wide war; crossing the Neck, great armies and anxiety for the sovereign; entering the Room and Heart, war and death; crossing the Tail, generals and commoners will rise in rebellion; crossing the Winnowing Basket, distress for the empress. A second reading: "The empire will be thrown into chaos. Entering the Southern Dipper brings war and death." Another reading: "Generals will rise in revolt." The asterisms it crossed and lingered in also mapped to Yan, Yu, You, Ji, and Yang provinces. That year the Battle of Dangyin was fought in the seventh month. In the ninth month Wang Jun killed You Province Inspector He Yan, assaulted Ye, and the city fell. Thereafter Yan and Yu became the main battlegrounds of the empire. Chen Min also raised rebellion in the Yang region; Liu Yuan, Shi Le, Li Xiong, and others all rose from humble origins to hold whole provinces and commanderies. Empress Yang was repeatedly imprisoned and set aside. In Guangxi 1 Emperor Hui died, leaving no heir to the throne.
18
永興元年七月乙丑，星隕有聲。 二年十月，星又隕有聲。 按劉向說，民去其土之象也。 是後遂亡中夏。
On a yichou day in the seventh month of Yongxing 1 a star fell with an audible crash. In the tenth month of the second year another star fell with a crash. Liu Xiang explained it as an omen of the people driven from their homeland. Thereafter the heartland of China was lost.
19
永興元年十二月壬寅夜，赤氣亘天，砰隱有聲。 二年十月丁丑，赤氣見在北方，東西竟天。 占曰：「並為大兵。 砰隱有聲，怒之象也。」 是後四海雲擾，九服交兵。
On the night of a renyin day in the twelfth month of Yongxing 1 red vapor filled the sky, accompanied by muffled thunder. On a dingchou day in the tenth month of the second year red vapor showed in the north, spanning the sky from east to west. The omen read: "Together they foretold war on a vast scale. The muffled thunder signified celestial anger." Thereafter turmoil spread across the four seas and war crossed every domain of the empire.
20
永興二年四月丙子，太白犯狼星。 占曰：「大兵起。」 九月，歲星守東井。 占曰：「有兵。 井又秦分也。」 是年，苟晞破公師藩，張方破范陽王虓，關西諸將攻河間王顒，顒奔走，東海王迎殺之。
On a bingzi day in the fourth month of Yongxing 2 Venus crossed the Wolf Star. The omen read: "War will erupt on a great scale." In the ninth month Jupiter lingered at the Eastern Well asterism. The reading was: "War will follow. The Well is also the celestial correlate of Qin." That year Gou Xi routed Gongshi Fan; Zhang Fang crushed the Prince of Fanyang, Sima Biao; the generals of Guanxi assailed the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, who fled; and the Prince of Donghai intercepted and killed him.
21
永興二年八月，星孛于昴、畢。 占曰：「為兵喪。」 昴、畢，又趙、魏分也。 十月丁丑，有星孛于北斗。 占曰：「璿璣更授，天子出走。」 又曰：「強國發兵，諸侯爭權。」 是後皆有其應。 明年，惠帝崩。
In the eighth month of Yongxing 2 a comet blazed at the Hairy Head and the Net. The omen read: "War and death." The Hairy Head and the Net are also the celestial correlates of Zhao and Wei. On a dingchou day in the tenth month a comet appeared at the Northern Dipper. The omen read: "The celestial pivot will change hands; the emperor will flee the capital." It also read: "Strong states will take the field; regional lords will struggle for power." In every case the omens were fulfilled. The following year Emperor Hui died.
22
晉惠帝光熙元年四月，太白失行，自翼入尾、箕。 占曰：「太白失行而北，是謂返生。 不有破軍，必有屠城。」 五月，汲桑攻鄴，魏郡太守馮嵩出戰大敗，桑遂害東燕王騰，殺萬餘人，焚燒魏時宮室皆盡。
In the fourth month of Guangxi 1, during the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin, Venus strayed from its path, passing from the Wings into the Tail and Winnowing Basket. The omen read: "When Venus strays northward from its path, it is called retrograde rebirth. If armies are not broken, cities will be put to the sword." In the fifth month Ji Sang assaulted Ye; Wei Commandery Administrator Feng Song marched out and was crushed; Sang then killed the Prince of Dongyan, Sima Teng, put more than ten thousand people to death, and burned every palace hall left from Wei times to the ground.
23
光熙元年五月，枉矢西南流。 占曰：「以亂伐亂之象也。」 是時司馬越西破河間，奉迎大駕。 尋收繆胤、何綏等，肆其無君之心，天下惡之。 死而石勒焚其屍柩，是其應也。
In the fifth month of Guangxi 1 a Crooked Arrow comet streaked southwest. The omen read: "An image of rebellion consuming rebellion." At the time Sima Yue crushed the Prince of Hejian in the west and escorted the emperor back to the capital. Soon afterward he arrested Miao Yin, He Sui, and others, revealing his contempt for the throne; the empire turned against him. After his death Shi Le burned his coffin—and so the omen was fulfilled.
24
光熙元年九月丁未，熒惑守心。 占曰：「王者惡之。」 己亥，填星守房、心，又犯歲星。 占曰：「土守房，多禍喪。 守心，國內亂，天下赦。」 又曰：「填與歲合為內亂。」 是時司馬越秉權，終以無禮破滅，內亂之應也。 十一月，惠帝崩，懷帝即位，大赦天下。
On a dingwei day in the ninth month of Guangxi 1 Mars lingered at Antares in the Heart asterism. The omen read: "It bodes ill for the sovereign." On a jihai day Saturn lingered in the Room and Heart and crossed Jupiter again. The reading was: "When Saturn lingers in the Room, calamity and death will multiply. Lingering at the Heart foretells civil strife within the realm and a general amnesty." It also read: "When Saturn and Jupiter meet, civil war follows." At the time Sima Yue held sole power; he was ultimately destroyed for his insolence toward the throne—the omen of civil strife fulfilled. In the eleventh month Emperor Hui died; Emperor Huai took the throne and granted a general amnesty.
25
光熙元年十二月癸未，太白犯填星。 占曰：「為內兵，有大戰。」 是後河間王為東海王越所殺。 明年正月，東海王越殺諸葛玫等。 五月，汲桑破馮嵩，殺東燕王。 八月，苟晞大破汲桑。
On a guiwei day in the twelfth month of Guangxi 1 Venus crossed Saturn. The omen read: "Civil war and a great battle." Thereafter the Prince of Hejian was killed by the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue. In the first month of the following year the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, put Zhuge Mei and others to death. In the fifth month Ji Sang routed Feng Song and killed the Prince of Dongyan. In the eighth month Gou Xi crushed Ji Sang.
26
光熙元年十二月甲申，有白氣若虹，中天北下至地，夜見五日乃滅。 占曰：「大兵起。」 明年，王彌起青、徐，汲桑亂河北，毒流天下。
On a jiashen day in the twelfth month of Guangxi 1 white vapor like a rainbow stretched from the meridian northward to the ground; it shone by night for five days before fading. The omen read: "War will erupt on a great scale." The following year Wang Mi raised rebellion in Qing and Xu; Ji Sang ravaged Hebei; devastation spread across the empire.
27
孝懷帝永嘉元年九月辛亥，有大星自西南流于東北，小者如升相隨，天盡赤，聲如雷。 占曰：「流星為貴使。」 是年五月，汲桑殺東燕王騰，遂據河北。 十一月，始遣和郁為征北將軍鎮鄴，而田甄等大破汲桑，斬于樂陵。 於是以甄為汲郡太守，弟蘭鉅鹿太守。 小星相隨，小將別帥之象也。 司馬越忿魏郡以東，平原以南，皆黨於桑，悉以賞甄等，於是侵略赤地，有聲如雷，怒之象也。
On an xinhai day in the ninth month of Yongjia 1, during the reign of Emperor Huai of Jin, a great star streaked from southwest to northeast, with smaller fragments about the size of a sheng measure trailing behind; the sky turned blood-red, and thunder rolled. The omen read: "Meteors signify emissaries of the great." That same year, in the fifth month, Ji Sang killed the Prince of Dongyan, Sima Teng, and seized control of Hebei. In the eleventh month the court at last sent He Yu as General Who Conquers the North to hold Ye; Tian Zhen and others meanwhile routed Ji Sang and executed him at Leling. Zhen was appointed Administrator of Ji Commandery, and his younger brother Lan was made Administrator of Julu. The trailing lesser stars were an omen of subordinate officers and regional warlords. Enraged that the territories east of Wei Commandery and south of Pingyuan had all rallied to Ji Sang, Sima Yue granted those lands entirely to Tian Zhen and his allies; they then ravaged the countryside to scorched earth, and thunder rolled—omens of heaven's wrath fulfilled.
28
永嘉元年十二月丁亥，星流震散。 案劉向說：「天官列宿，在位之象，小星無名者，庶民之類。 此百官庶民將流散之象也。」 是後天下大亂，百官萬民，流移轉死矣。
On a dinghai day in the twelfth month of Yongjia 1, stars streaked across the sky and burst apart. Liu Xiang explained the omen thus: "The starry hosts and their constellations mirror those who hold office; the innumerable lesser stars without names represent the common folk. This was an omen of officials and commoners about to be driven into exile and dispersal. Thereafter the empire collapsed into chaos; officials and people alike were uprooted, cast about, and perished.
29
永嘉二年正月庚午，太白伏不見。 二月庚子，始晨見東方。 是謂當見不見，占同上條。 其後破軍殺將，不可勝數。 帝崩虜庭，中夏淪覆。
On a gengwu day in the first month of Yongjia 2, Venus set invisibly and vanished from sight. On a gengzi day in the second month it first dawned visible in the east. This is what is meant by "due to appear yet failing to appear"; the omen is read as in the preceding passage. Thereafter armies were shattered and commanders slain beyond number. The emperor perished in captivity among the barbarians, and the heartland of China fell.
30
永嘉三年正月庚子，熒惑犯紫微。 占曰：「當有野死之王。 又為火燒宮。」 是時太史令高堂沖奏，乘輿宜遷幸，不然必無洛陽。 五年六月，劉曜、王彌入京都，燒宮廟，帝崩于平陽。
On a gengzi day in the first month of Yongjia 3, Mars crossed the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. The omen read: "A ruler will die far from his capital. It also portended fire consuming the palace." At that time the Director of Astronomy Gao Tangchong urged that the emperor ought to relocate the court; otherwise Luoyang would not survive. In the sixth month of Yongjia 5, Liu Yao and Wang Mi stormed the capital, burned the palaces and temples, and the emperor died at Pingyang.
31
永嘉三年，鎮星久守南斗。 占曰：「鎮星所居者，其國有福。」 是時安東琅邪王始有揚土。 其年十一月，地動，陳卓以為是地動應也。
In Yongjia 3 Saturn lingered for an extended period at the Southern Dipper. The omen read: "The region where Saturn holds station will know blessing." At that time the Prince of Langya in his role as Protector of the East first gained control of the Yang region. In the eleventh month of that year the earth quaked; Chen Zhuo considered this the earthly fulfillment of the omen.
32
永嘉三年十二月乙亥，有白氣如帶出南北方各二，起地至天，貫參伐。 占曰：「天下大兵起。」 四年三月，司馬越收繆胤、繆播等； 又三方雲擾，攻戰不休。 五年三月，司馬越死於甯平城，石勒攻破其眾，死者十餘萬人。 六月，京都焚滅，帝劫虜庭。
On a yihai day in the twelfth month of Yongjia 3, white vapor like sashes appeared—two bands each in the south and north—rising from earth to sky and cutting through Shen and Kakka. The omen read: "War will erupt on a vast scale across the empire." In the third month of the fourth year Sima Yue arrested Miao Yin, Miao Bo, and others; while on three fronts armies churned like storm clouds and fighting never ceased. In the third month of the fifth year Sima Yue died at Ningping; Shi Le shattered his army, and over a hundred thousand perished. In the sixth month the capital burned; the emperor was taken captive to the barbarian lands.
33
永嘉五年十月，熒惑守心。 後二年，帝崩于虜庭。
In the tenth month of Yongjia 5 Mars lingered at Antares in the Heart asterism. Two years later the emperor died in captivity among the barbarians.
34
永嘉六年七月，熒惑、歲星、鎮星、太白聚牛女之間，裴回進退。 按占曰：「牛，揚州分。」 是後兩都傾覆，而元帝中興揚土，是其應也。
In the seventh month of Yongjia 6 Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus converged between the Ox and the Girl asterisms, shifting and lingering in their courses. The omen was read thus: "The Ox is the celestial correlate of Yang Province." Thereafter both capitals fell, yet Emperor Yuan restored order in the Yang region—the omen was fulfilled.
35
愍帝建武元年五月癸未，太白熒惑合於東井。 占曰：「金火合曰爍，為喪。」 是時帝雖劫于平陽，天下猶未敢居其虛位，災在帝也。 六月丁卯，太白犯太微。 占曰：「兵入天子廷，王者惡之。」 七月，愍帝崩于寇庭，天下行服大臨。
On a guiwei day in the fifth month of Jianwu 1, during the reign of Emperor Min of Jin, Venus and Mars merged in the Eastern Well asterism. The omen read: "When Venus and Mars meet it is called a 'spark'—a portent of death and mourning." Though the emperor was already held at Pingyang, no one yet dared claim the vacant throne—the disaster was meant for the emperor alone. On a dingmao day in the sixth month Venus crossed the Supreme Palace Enclosure. The omen read: "Arms in the imperial court—rulers dread this sign." In the seventh month Emperor Min died in enemy hands; the empire donned mourning garb for the state funeral.
36
晉元帝太興元年七月，太白犯南斗。 占曰：「吳、越有兵，大人憂。」 二年二月甲申，熒惑犯東井。 占曰：「兵起，貴臣相戮。」 八月己卯，太白犯軒轅大星。 占曰：「後宮憂。」 乙未，太白犯歲星，在翼。 占曰：「為兵亂。」 三年四月壬辰，枉矢出虛、危，沒翼、軫。 占曰：「枉矢所觸，天下之所伐。 翼、軫，荊州之分也。」 五月戊子，太白入太微，又犯上將。 占曰：「天子自將，上將誅。」 六月丙辰，太白與歲星合于房。 占曰：「為兵饑。」 九月，太白犯南斗，占同元年。 十月己亥，熒惑在東井，居五諸侯南，踟蹰留止，積三十日。 占曰：「熒惑守井二十日以上，大人憂； 守五諸侯，諸侯有誅者。」 十二月己未，太白入月，在斗。 郭景純曰：「月屬坎，陰府法象也。 太白金行而來犯之，天意若曰刑理失中，自毀其法也。」 四年十二月丁亥，月犯歲星在房。 占曰：「其國兵飢，民流亡。」 永昌元年三月，王敦率江、荊之眾，來攻京都，六軍距戰，敗績。 於是殺護軍將軍周顗、尚書令刁協，驃騎將軍劉隗出奔。 四月，又殺湘州刺史譙王承、鎮南將軍甘卓。 閏十二月，元帝崩。 間一年，敦亦梟夷，枉矢觸翼之應也。 十月，石他入豫州，略城父、銍二縣民以北，刺史祖約遣軍追之，為其所沒，遂退守壽春。
In the seventh month of Taixing 1, during the reign of Emperor Yuan of Jin, Venus crossed the Southern Dipper. The omen read: "War will come to Wu and Yue; the mighty will grieve." On a jiashen day in the second year Mars crossed the Eastern Well asterism. The omen read: "War will break out and the great will turn on one another." On a jimao day in the eighth month Venus crossed the chief star of Xuanyuan. The omen read: "The harem will know sorrow." On a yiwei day Venus crossed Jupiter in the Wings asterism. The omen read: "War and rebellion." On a renchen day in the fourth year a Crooked Arrow comet rose from Emptiness and Rooftop and vanished in the Wings and Chariot Pivot. The omen read: "The region the Crooked Arrow strikes is the one the empire will march against. The Wings and Chariot Pivot are the celestial correlates of Jing Province." On a wuzi day in the fifth month Venus entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure and crossed the Upper General star. The omen read: "The emperor will take the field himself—and a supreme commander will be put to death." On a bingchen day in the sixth month Venus and Jupiter merged in the Room asterism. The omen read: "War and famine." In the ninth month Venus crossed the Southern Dipper; the reading matched that of the first year. On a jihai day in the tenth month Mars stood in the Eastern Well, south of the Five Feudal Lords, wavering in place for a full thirty days. The omen read: "Mars lingering at the Well for more than twenty days brings grief to the mighty; when it holds at the Five Feudal Lords, some among the feudal lords will be put to death. On a jiwei day in the twelfth month Venus entered the moon in the Dipper asterism. Guo Jingchun said: "The moon corresponds to Kan, the yin domain and the celestial emblem of justice. Venus, agent of the Metal element, came to cross it—Heaven seemed to declare that justice had lost its center and the law was undoing itself. On a dinghai day in the twelfth month of the fourth year the moon crossed Jupiter in the Room asterism. The omen read: "War and famine will afflict the realm; the people will be driven into exile." In the third month of Yongchang 1 Wang Dun marched the armies of Jiang and Jing against the capital; the imperial forces met him in battle and were routed. Zhou Yi, Protector-General, and Diao Xie, Director of the Masters of Writing, were executed; Liu Wei, Rapid Cavalry General, fled. In the fourth month Prince Qiao Cheng, Inspector of Xiang, and Gan Zhuo, General Who Guards the South, were also slain. In the intercalary twelfth month Emperor Yuan died. Within a year Wang Dun too was executed and his line extinguished—the fulfillment of the Crooked Arrow's strike on the Wings. In the tenth month Shi Ta invaded Yuzhou and drove the people of Chengfü and Zhi north; Inspector Zu Yue sent troops in pursuit, only to be wiped out; Zu then fell back to defend Shouchun.
37
明帝太寧三年正月，熒惑逆行入太微。 占曰：「為兵喪，王者惡之。」 閏八月，帝崩。 咸和二年，蘇峻反，攻宮室，太后以憂逼崩，天子幽劫于石頭，遠近兵亂，至四年乃息。
In the first month of Taining 3, during the reign of Emperor Ming, Mars turned retrograde and entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure. The omen read: "War and death—and rulers dread it." In the intercalary eighth month the emperor died. In Xianhe 2 Su Jun rebelled and stormed the palace; the Empress Dowager died of grief; the emperor was taken captive at Shitou; war engulfed the region and did not subside until the fourth year.
38
成帝咸和四年七月，有星孛于西北，二十三日滅。 占曰：「為兵亂。」 十二月，郭默殺江州刺史劉胤，荊州刺史陶侃討默，明年，斬之。 是時石勒又始僭號。
In the seventh month of Xianhe 4, during the reign of Emperor Cheng, a comet blazed in the northwest and faded after twenty-three days. The omen read: "War and rebellion." In the twelfth month Guo Mo murdered Liu Yin, Inspector of Jiang; Tao Kan, Inspector of Jing, marched against him and beheaded him the following year. At that time Shi Le also first declared himself emperor in usurpation.
39
咸和六年正月丙辰，月入南斗。 占曰：「有兵。」 一曰：「有大赦。」 是月胡賊殺略婁、武進二縣民，於是遣戍中洲。 明年，胡賊又略南沙、海虞民。 是年正月，大赦，伐淮南，討襄陽，平之。
On a bingchen day in the first month of Xianhe 6 the moon entered the Southern Dipper. The omen read: "War." Another reading held: "A great amnesty." That month foreign raiders slaughtered and pillaged the people of Lou and Wujin; the court then sent troops to garrison Zhongzhou. The following year the raiders again ravaged the people of Nansha and Haiyu. In the first month of that year a great amnesty was proclaimed; the court campaigned in Huainan, attacked Xiangyang, and pacified it.
40
咸和六年十一月，熒惑守胃、昴。 占曰：「趙、魏有兵。」 八年七月，石勒死，石虎自立，多所殘滅。 是時雖勒、虎僭號，而其強弱常占於昴，不關太微紫宮也。
In the eleventh month of Xianhe 6 Mars lingered in the Stomach and Hairy Head asterisms. The omen read: "War will come to Zhao and Wei." In the seventh year Shi Le died; Shi Hu seized power and massacred on a vast scale. Though Le and Hu had declared themselves emperors, their fortunes were read from the Hairy Head asterism, not from the Purple Forbidden Enclosure or the Supreme Palace.
41
咸和八年三月己巳，月入南斗，與六年占同。 其年七月，石勒死，彭彪以譙，石生以長安，郭權以秦州，並歸從。 於是遣督護高球率眾救彪，彪敗球退。 又石虎、石斌攻滅生、權。 咸康元年正月，大赦。
On a jisi day in the third month of Xianhe 8 the moon entered the Southern Dipper; the reading matched that of the sixth year. In the seventh month of that year Shi Le died; Peng Biao held Qiao, Shi Sheng held Chang'an, and Guo Quan held Qin Province—all rallying in allegiance. The court sent Supervisor-General Gao Qiu with an army to relieve Peng Biao; Biao was defeated and Qiu retreated. Shi Hu and Shi Bin then attacked and destroyed Shi Sheng and Guo Quan. In the first month of Xiankang 1 a great amnesty was proclaimed.
42
咸和八年七月，熒惑入昴。 占曰：「胡王死。」 石虎多所攻滅。 八月，月犯昴。 占曰：「胡不安。」 九年六月，月又犯昴。 是時石弘雖襲勒位，而石虎擅威暴橫。 十月，廢弘自立，遂幽殺之。
In the seventh month of Xianhe 8 Mars entered the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "A barbarian king will die." Shi Hu attacked and destroyed on a vast scale. In the eighth month the moon crossed the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "The barbarian lands will know unrest." In the sixth month of the ninth year the moon crossed the Hairy Head again. Though Shi Hong had succeeded to Le's throne, Shi Hu held real power and ruled with brutal arrogance. In the tenth month he deposed Hong, seized the throne himself, and had him murdered in confinement.
43
咸和九年三月己亥，熒惑入輿鬼，犯積屍。 占曰：「兵在西北，有沒軍死將。」 四月，鎮西將軍、雍州刺史郭權始以秦州歸從，尋為石斌所滅，徙其眾於青、徐。
On a jihai day in the third month of Xianhe 9 Mars entered the Carriage Ghost asterism and trespassed against Accumulated Corpses. The omen read: "War will come to the northwest—an army will be lost and a general will perish." In the fourth month Guo Quan, Defender-General of the West and Governor of Yong, first submitted Qin Province in allegiance; before long Shi Bin destroyed him and resettled his followers in Qing and Xu.
44
晉成帝咸康元年二月己亥，太白犯昴。 占曰：「兵起，歲大旱。」 四月，石虎掠騎至歷陽。 朝廷慮其眾也，加司徒王導大司馬，治兵動眾。 又遣慈湖、牛渚、蕪湖三戍。 五月乃罷。 是時胡賊又圍襄陽，征西將軍庾亮遣寧距退之。 六月，旱。
On a jihai day in the second month of Xiankang 1, during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Jin, Venus trespassed against the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "War will break out, and the year will bring severe drought." In the fourth month Shi Hu's mounted raiders reached Liyang. Alarmed by the size of the force, the court named Wang Dao, Minister over the Masses, Grand Marshal as well and mustered an army. Three garrisons were also posted at Cihu, Niuzhu, and Wuhu. The mobilization was discontinued in the fifth month. Meanwhile the raiders besieged Xiangyang again; Yu Liang, Campaign-General of the West, sent Ning to beat them back. The sixth month brought drought.
45
咸康元年八月戊戌，熒惑入東井。 占曰：「無兵兵起； 有兵兵止。」 是年夏，發眾列戍。 加王導大司馬，以備胡賊。
On a wuxu day in the eighth month of Xiankang 1 Mars entered the Eastern Well asterism. The omen read: "If there is no war, war will flare up; if there is war, war will stop." That summer the court mobilized troops and established a chain of frontier garrisons. Wang Dao was further appointed Grand Marshal to prepare against the raiders.
46
咸康元年三月丙戌，月入昴。 占曰：「胡王死。」 十一月，月犯昴。 二年八月，月又犯昴。 占同。 咸和三年，石虎發眾七萬，四年二月，自襲段遼于薊，遼奔敗。 又攻慕容皝於棘城，不剋引退，皝追之，殺數百人。 虎留其將麻秋屯令支，皝破秋，并虜遼殺之。
On a bingxu day in the third month of Xiankang 1 the moon entered the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "A barbarian king will die." In the eleventh month the moon crossed the Hairy Head. In the eighth month of the second year the moon crossed the Hairy Head again. The reading was the same. In Xianhe 3 Shi Hu raised an army of seventy thousand; in the second month of the fourth year he personally attacked Duan Liao at Ji, and Liao fled in defeat. He next attacked Murong Huang at Jicheng, failed to capture it, and retreated; Huang pursued and cut down several hundred men. Hu left his general Ma Qiu garrisoned at Lingzhi; Huang routed Qiu, captured Liao in the bargain, and had him killed.
47
咸康二年正月辛巳，彗星夕見西方，在奎。 占曰：「為兵喪。 奎又為邊兵。」 四年，石虎伐慕容皝不剋，皝追擊之，又破麻秋。 時皝稱蕃，邊兵之應也。
On a xinsi day in the first month of Xiankang 2 a comet blazed at dusk in the west within the Legs asterism. The omen read: "War and death will follow. The Legs asterism also presides over frontier armies." In the fourth year Shi Hu attacked Murong Huang without success; Huang counterattacked and again destroyed Ma Qiu. Huang had by then submitted as a vassal—the fulfillment of the frontier-war omen.
48
咸康二年正月辛卯，月犯房南第二星。 占曰：「將相有憂。」 五年七月，丞相王導薨。 八月，太尉郗鑒薨。 六年正月，征西大將軍庾亮薨。
On a xinmao day in the first month of Xiankang 2 the moon trespassed against the second star south of the Chamber asterism. The omen read: "Generals and ministers will be afflicted." In the seventh month of the fifth year Chancellor Wang Dao died. In the eighth month Grand Commandant Chi Jian died. In the first month of the sixth year Yu Liang, Campaign-General of the West, died.
49
咸康二年九月庚寅，太白犯南斗，因晝見。 占曰：「斗為宰相，又揚州分，金犯之，死喪象。 晝見為不臣，又為兵喪。」 三年，石虎僭稱天王。 四年，虎滅段遼而敗於慕容皝。 皝，國蕃臣。 五年，王導薨。
On a gengyin day in the ninth month of Xiankang 2 Venus trespassed against the Southern Dipper and shone in broad daylight. The omen was read thus: "The Dipper represents the chancellor and also the Yangzhou region; Venus trespassing against it foretells death and mourning. Daytime visibility betokens disloyal subjects and likewise war and slaughter." In the third year Shi Hu usurped the title Heavenly King. In the fourth year Hu destroyed Duan Liao but was defeated by Murong Huang. Huang was a tributary subject of the court—the disloyal-subject reading inverted. In the fifth year Wang Dao died.
50
咸康三年六月辛未，有流星大如二斗魁，色青，赤光耀地，出奎中，沒婁北。 案占為飢，五穀不藏。 是月，大旱。
On a xinwei day in the sixth month of Xiankang 3 a meteor the size of two ladle-bowls, blue-green with a red glow that lit the earth, shot out from the Legs asterism and vanished north of Bond. The established reading was famine—the five grains would not keep in store. That month brought severe drought.
51
咸康三年八月，熒惑入輿鬼，犯積屍。 占曰：「貴人憂。」 三年八月甲戌，月犯東井距星。 占曰：「國有憂，將死。」 三年九月戊子，月犯建星。 占曰：「易相。」 一曰：「大將死。」 五年，丞相王導薨，庾氷代輔政。 太尉郗鑒、征西大將軍庾亮薨。
In the eighth month of Xiankang 3 Mars entered the Carriage Ghost asterism and trespassed against Accumulated Corpses. The omen read: "The high-born will know affliction." On a jiaxu day in the eighth month of the third year the moon trespassed against the Eastern Well's separating star. The omen read: "The realm will be troubled; a general will perish." On a wuzi day in the ninth month of the third year the moon trespassed against the Establishment stars. The omen read: "The chief minister will be changed." A second reading: "A great general will die." In the fifth year Chancellor Wang Dao died, and Yu Bing took up the reins of government. Grand Commandant Chi Jian and Yu Liang, Campaign-General of the West, also died.
52
咸康三年十一月乙丑，太白犯歲星。 占曰：「為兵飢。」 四年二月，石虎破幽州，遷其人萬餘家。 李壽殺李期。 五年，胡眾五萬寇沔南，略七千餘家而去。 又騎二萬圍陷邾城，殺略五千餘人。
On a yichou day in the eleventh month of Xiankang 3 Venus trespassed against Jupiter. The omen read: "War and famine will follow." In the second month of the fourth year Shi Hu overran You Province and resettled more than ten thousand households. Li Shou killed Li Qi. In the fifth year a barbarian force of fifty thousand raided south of the Mian, looted more than seven thousand households, and withdrew. Twenty thousand more cavalry then besieged Zhucheng, took it, and killed or plundered more than five thousand people.
53
咸康四年四月己巳，太白晝見在柳。 占曰：「為兵，為不臣。」 七月乙巳，月掩太白。 占曰：「王者亡地，大兵起。」 明年，胡賊大寇沔南，陷邾城，豫州刺史毛寶、西陽太守樊峻皆棄城投江死。 於是內外戒嚴，左衞桓監、匡術等諸軍至武昌，乃退。 七年，慕容皝自稱為燕王。
On a jisi day in the fourth month of Xiankang 4 Venus shone in broad daylight within the Willow asterism. The omen read: "War and treason will follow." On a yisi day in the seventh month the moon obscured Venus. The omen read: "A sovereign will lose land, and great armies will take the field." The following year the raiders launched a major attack south of the Mian, took Zhucheng, and Mao Bao, Prefect of Yu, and Fan Jun, Administrator of Xiyang, both abandoned their posts, threw themselves into the river, and drowned. The court then mobilized for defense on every front; the armies of Huan Jian of the Left Guard, Kuang Shu, and others reached Wuchang, and only then did the raiders retreat. In the seventh year Murong Huang declared himself King of Yan.
54
咸康四年五月戊午，熒惑犯右執法。 占曰：「大臣死，執政者憂。」 九月，太白犯右執法。 案占，「五星災同，金火尤甚。」 十一月戊子，太白犯房上星。 占曰：「上相憂。」 五年七月己酉，月犯房上星，亦同占。 是月庚申，丞相王導薨。
On a wuwu day in the fifth month of Xiankang 4 Mars trespassed against the Right Law Enforcer star. The omen read: "A chief minister will perish, and the men who hold the reins will be afflicted." In the ninth month Venus trespassed against the Right Law Enforcer star. The established reading held that when the five planets share a calamity, Venus and Mars are especially dire. On a wuzi day in the eleventh month Venus trespassed against the upper star of the Chamber asterism. The omen read: "The senior minister will be afflicted." On a jiyou day in the seventh month of the fifth year the moon trespassed against the upper star of the Chamber—the reading was the same. On a gengshen day that same month Chancellor Wang Dao died.
55
咸康五年四月辛未，月犯歲星，在胃。 占曰：「國飢民流。」 乙未，月犯畢距星。 占曰：「兵起。」 是夜，月又犯歲星，在昴。 及冬，有沔南、邾城之敗，百姓流亡萬餘家。
On a xinwei day in the fourth month of Xiankang 5 the moon trespassed against Jupiter in the Stomach asterism. The omen read: "Famine will grip the realm and the people will flee." On a yiwei day the moon trespassed against the Net's separating star. The omen read: "War will break out." That same night the moon trespassed against Jupiter again, now in the Hairy Head. Before winter was out came the disasters at the Mian south and Zhucheng, and more than ten thousand common households were driven into flight.
56
咸康六年二月庚午朔，流星大如斗，光耀地，出天市，西行入太微。 占曰：「大人當之。」 乙未，太白入月。 占曰：「人主死。」 四月甲午，月犯太白。 占曰：「人主惡之。」 八年六月，成帝崩。
At the gengwu new moon in the second month of Xiankang 6 a meteor the size of a dipper ladle lit the earth as it shot out of the Celestial Market Enclosure, passed westward, and entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure. The omen read: "A great man will bear the blow." On a yiwei day Venus passed into the moon. The omen read: "The sovereign will die." On a jiawu day in the fourth month the moon trespassed against Venus. The omen read: "The sovereign will be afflicted." In the sixth month of the eighth year Emperor Cheng died.
57
咸康六年三月甲寅，熒惑從行犯太微上將星。 占曰：「上將憂。」 四月丁丑，熒惑犯右執法。 占曰：「執法者憂。」 六月乙亥，月犯牽牛中央星。 占曰：「大將憂。」 是時尚書令何充為執法，有譴欲避其咎，明年，求為中書令。 建元二年，庾冰薨，皆大將執政之應也。 是歲正月，征西將軍庾亮薨。 三月，而熒惑犯上將。 九月，石虎大將夔安死。 庾冰後積年方薨。 豈冰能修德，移禍於夔安乎？
On a jiayin day in the third month of Xiankang 6 Mars, traveling in company, trespassed against the Senior General star in the Supreme Palace Enclosure. The omen read: "The senior general will be afflicted." On a dingchou day in the fourth month Mars trespassed against the Right Law Enforcer star. The omen read: "The law-enforcer will be afflicted." On a yihai day in the sixth month the moon trespassed against the central star of the Lead Ox asterism. The omen read: "A great general will be afflicted." He Chong, Director of the Masters of Writing, then held the law-enforcer's post; censured and anxious to escape blame, he petitioned the following year to be made Director of the Palace Writers. In the second year of Jianyuan Yu Bing died—these were all fulfillments of the omens for great generals and the men who ruled. In the first month of that year Yu Liang, Campaign-General of the West, died. In the third month Mars trespassed against the Senior General star. In the ninth month Kui An, a great general of Shi Hu, died. Only after several more years did Yu Bing die. Could Yu Bing, by cultivating virtue, have diverted misfortune onto Kui An?
58
咸康六年四月丙午，太白犯畢距星。 占曰：「兵革起。」 一曰：「女主憂。」 六月乙卯，太白犯軒轅大星。 占曰：「女主憂。」 七年三月，皇后杜氏崩。
On a bingwu day in the fourth month of Xiankang 6 Venus trespassed against the Net's separating star. The omen read: "War will break out." A second interpretation: "The empress will be afflicted." On a yimao day in the sixth month Venus trespassed against the great star of Xuanyuan. The omen read: "The empress will be afflicted." In the third month of Xiankang 7 Empress Du died.
59
咸康七年三月壬午，月犯房。 占曰：「將相憂。」 八年六月，熒惑犯房上第二星。 占曰：「次相憂。」 建元二年，車騎將軍江州刺史庾冰薨。 是時驃騎將軍何充居內，冰為次相也。
On a renwu day in the third month of Xiankang 7 the moon trespassed against the Room asterism. The omen read: "Generals and chief ministers will be afflicted." In the sixth month of Xiankang 8 Mars trespassed against the second star above the Room asterism. The omen read: "The second-ranking minister will be afflicted." In the second year of Jianyuan Yu Bing, General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Jiang Province, died. He Chong, General of Fast Cavalry, then held sway at court, while Yu Bing ranked as the second minister.
60
咸康七年四月己丑，太白入輿鬼。 占曰：「兵革起。」 五月，太白晝見。 以晷度推之，非秦、魏，則楚也。 占曰：「為臣強，為有兵。」 八月辛丑，月犯輿鬼。 占曰：「人主憂。」 八年六月，成帝崩。
On a jichou day in the fourth month of Xiankang 7 Venus entered the Carriage Ghost asterism. The omen read: "War will break out." In the fifth month Venus appeared in broad daylight. By reckoning from the gnomon readings, the region affected was neither Qin nor Wei but Chu. The omen read: "Subjects grow overmighty; war will follow." On a xinchou day in the eighth month the moon trespassed against the Carriage Ghost asterism. The omen read: "The sovereign will be afflicted." In the sixth month of Xiankang 8 Emperor Cheng died.
61
咸康八年八月壬寅，月犯畢赤星。 占曰：「下犯上，兵革起。」 十月，月又掩畢赤星。 占同。 己酉，太白犯熒惑。 占曰：「大兵起。」 其後庾翼大發兵謀伐胡，專制上流，朝廷憚之。
On a renyin day in the eighth month of Xiankang 8 the moon trespassed against the Net's red star. The omen read: "The low will trespass against the high; war will break out." In the tenth month the moon once more covered the Net's red star. The omen reading was the same. On a jiyou day Venus trespassed against Mars. The omen read: "Major war will break out." Thereafter Yu Yi raised a great army intending to strike the northern tribes, dominated the upper Yangzi unchallenged, and the court stood in awe of him.
62
康帝建元元年正月壬午，太白入昴。 占曰：「趙地有兵。」 又曰：「天下兵起。」 四月乙酉，太白晝見。 八月丁未，太白犯歲星。 占曰：「有大兵。」 是年，石虎殺其太子邃及其妻子徒屬二百餘人。 又遣將劉寧寇沒狄道，又使將張舉將萬餘人屯薊東，謀慕容皝。
On a renwu day in the first month of the first year of Jianyuan, during the reign of Emperor Kang, Venus entered the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "Arms will rise in the Zhao territories." Another reading: "War will break out across the empire." On a yiyou day in the fourth month Venus appeared in broad daylight. On a dingwei day in the eighth month Venus trespassed against Jupiter. The omen read: "Major warfare will erupt." That year Shi Hu executed his crown prince Sui along with more than two hundred wives, children, and dependents. He further sent Liu Ning to raid and seize Didao, and Zhang Ju with over ten thousand troops to camp east of Ji in a move against Murong Huang.
63
建元元年十一月六日，彗星見亢，長七尺，尾白色。 占曰：「亢為朝廷，主兵喪。」 二年九月，康帝崩。
On the sixth day of the eleventh month of the first year of Jianyuan a comet showed at the Neck asterism, seven feet in length, its tail white. The omen read: "Kang is the asterism of the imperial court and governs war and funeral calamity." In the ninth month of the second year of Jianyuan Emperor Kang died.
64
建元元年，歲星犯天關。 安西將軍庾翼與兄冰書曰：「歲星犯天關，占云：『關梁當澁。』 比來江東無他故，江道亦不艱難； 而石虎頻年再閉關不通信使，此復是天公憒憒無皁白之徵也。」
In the first year of Jianyuan Jupiter trespassed against the Celestial Gate star. Yu Yi, Campaign-General of the West, wrote to his elder brother Bing: "Jupiter has trespassed against the Celestial Gate; the reading runs: 'Passes and bridges should be blocked. Yet of late nothing untoward has befallen the lands east of the Yangzi, and the river routes have not grown hard; meanwhile Shi Hu has repeatedly shut the passes and blocked envoys these several years—once again Heaven seems confused, giving no plain sign of right or wrong."
65
建元二年閏月乙酉，太白犯斗。 占曰：「為喪，天下受爵祿。」 九月，康帝崩，太子立，大赦賜爵也。
On a yiyou day in the intercalary month of the second year of Jianyuan Venus trespassed against the Dipper asterism. The omen read: "Mourning will come, and the empire will receive ennoblements and stipends." In the ninth month Emperor Kang died; the crown prince ascended the throne, and a general amnesty with ennoblements followed.
66
晉穆帝永和元年正月丁丑，月入畢。 占曰：「兵大起。」 戊寅，月犯天關。 占曰：「有亂臣更天子之法。」 五月辛巳，太白晝見，在東井。 占曰：「為臣強，秦有兵。」 六月辛丑，入太微，犯屏西南。 占曰：「輔臣有免罷者。」 七、八月，月皆犯畢。 占同正月。 己未，月犯輿鬼。 占曰：「大臣有誅。」 九月庚戌，月又犯畢。 是年初，庾翼在襄陽，七月，翼疾將終，輒以子爰之為荊州刺史，代己任，爰之尋被廢。 明年，桓溫又輒率眾伐蜀，執李勢，送至京都。 蜀本秦地也。
On a dingchou day in the first month of Yonghe 1, during the reign of Emperor Mu of Jin, the moon entered the Net asterism. The omen read: "War will erupt on a large scale." On a wuyin day the moon trespassed against the Celestial Gate star. The omen read: "Rebellious ministers will change the sovereign's institutions." On a xinsi day in the fifth month Venus shone in broad daylight within the Eastern Well asterism. The omen read: "Subjects grow overmighty; war will rise in the Qin region." On a xinchou day in the sixth month Venus entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure and trespassed against the southwestern Screen star. The omen read: "A minister-advisor will be dismissed from office." In the seventh and eighth months the moon trespassed against the Net both times. The omen reading matched that of the first month. On a jiwei day the moon trespassed against the Carriage Ghost asterism. The omen read: "A chief minister will be put to death." On a gengxu day in the ninth month the moon once more trespassed against the Net asterism. Early that year Yu Yi was at Xiangyang; in the seventh month, as his illness neared its end, he installed his son Yuanzhi as Governor of Jing Province in his stead—Yuanzhi was soon removed from office. The following year Huan Wen likewise took troops on his own authority to invade Shu, seized Li Shi, and had him conveyed to the capital. Shu lay within the Qin region—the very territory the omen had indicated.
67
永和二年二月壬子，月犯房上星。 四月丙戌，月又犯房上星。 占同前。 八月壬申，太白犯左執法。 是歲，司徒蔡謨被廢。
On a renzi day in the second month of Yonghe 2 the moon trespassed against the star above the Room asterism. On a bingxu day in the fourth month the moon once more trespassed against the star above the Room asterism. The omen reading was the same as earlier. On a renshen day in the eighth month Venus trespassed against the Left Law Enforcer star. That year Cai Mo, Minister over the Masses, was deposed.
68
永和三年正月壬午，月犯南斗第五星。 占曰：「將軍死，近臣去。」 五月壬申，月犯南斗第四星，因入魁。 占曰：「有兵。」 一曰：「有大赦。」 六月，月犯東井距星。 占曰：「將死，國有憂。」 戊戌，月犯五諸侯。 占曰：「諸侯有誅。」 九月庚寅，太白犯南斗第五星。 占曰：「為喪兵。」 四年七月丙申，太白犯左執法。 甲寅，月犯房。 丁巳，月入南斗犯第二星。 乙丑，太白犯左執法。 占悉同上。 十月甲戌，月犯亢。 占曰：「兵起，軍將死。」 十一月戊戌，犯上將星。 三年六月，大赦。 是月，陳逵征壽春，敗而還。 七月，氐蜀餘寇反亂益土。 九月，石虎伐涼州，不克。
On a renwu day in the first month of Yonghe 3 the moon trespassed against the fifth star of the Southern Dipper. The omen read: "A general will die and court intimates will be removed." On a renshen day in the fifth month the moon trespassed against the fourth star of the Southern Dipper and passed into the Dipper's head. The omen read: "War will break out." A second interpretation: "A general amnesty will be proclaimed." In the sixth month the moon trespassed against the Eastern Well's separating star. The omen read: "A general will die and the realm will know alarm." On a wuxu day the moon trespassed against the Five Feudal Lords asterism. The omen read: "Regional lords will be put to death." On a gengyin day in the ninth month Venus trespassed against the fifth star of the Southern Dipper. The omen read: "Mourning and war will follow." On a bingshen day in the seventh month of Yonghe 4 Venus trespassed against the Left Law Enforcer star. On a jiayin day the moon trespassed against the Room asterism. On a dingsi day the moon entered the Southern Dipper and trespassed against its second star. On a yichou day Venus trespassed against the Left Law Enforcer star. The omen readings were all the same as given above. On a jiaxu day in the tenth month the moon trespassed against the Neck asterism. The omen read: "War will break out and field commanders will die." On a wuxu day in the eleventh month the moon trespassed against the Senior General star. In the sixth month of Yonghe 3 a general amnesty was proclaimed. That same month Chen Kui marched on Shouchun, was beaten, and retreated. In the seventh month surviving Di rebels in Shu rose in revolt and ravaged the Yizhou region. In the ninth month Shi Hu invaded Liang Province without success.
69
永和四年四月，太白入昴。 五月，熒惑入婁，犯鎮星。 七月，太白犯軒轅。 占在趙，及為兵喪，女主憂。 其年八月，石虎太子宣殺弟韜，宣亦死。 五年正月，石虎僭稱皇帝，尋病死。 是年，褚裒北伐喪眾，又尋薨，太后素服。 六年正月，朝會廢樂。
In the fourth month of Yonghe 4 Venus entered the Hairy Head asterism. In the fifth month Mars entered the Garrison asterism and trespassed against Saturn. In the seventh month Venus trespassed against Xuanyuan. The reading applied to the Zhao region and foretold war, mourning, and affliction for the empress. That August Shi Hu's crown prince Xuan murdered his brother Tao—and Xuan himself was killed as well. In the first month of Yonghe 5 Shi Hu arrogated the imperial title; he soon sickened and died. That year Chu Pou's northern expedition ended in the loss of his forces; he died shortly thereafter, and the empress dowager put on plain mourning dress. In the first month of Yonghe 6 court sessions did away with ceremonial music.
70
永和五年四月丁未，太白犯東井。 占曰：「秦有兵。」 九月戊戌，太白犯左角。 占曰：「為兵。」 十月，月犯昴。 占曰：「朝廷有憂，軍將死。」 十一月乙卯，彗星見于亢，芒西向，色白，長一丈。 占曰：「為兵喪。」 是年八月，褚裒北征兵敗。 十月，關中二十餘壁舉兵歸從，石遵攻沒南陽。 十一月，冉閔殺石遵，又盡殺胡十餘萬人，於是中土大亂。 十二月，褚裒薨。 八年，劉顯、苻健、慕容儁並僭號。 殷浩北伐敗，見廢。
On a dingwei day in the fourth month of Yonghe 5 Venus trespassed against the Eastern Well asterism. The omen read: "War would break out in Qin." On a wuxu day in the ninth month Venus trespassed against the Left Horn star. The omen read: "It foretold war." In the tenth month the moon crossed the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "The imperial court would know alarm, and field commanders would die." On a yimao day in the eleventh month a comet showed at the Neck asterism, its tail streaming westward, white in color and one zhang in length. The omen read: "It foretold war and death." That August Chu Pou's northern campaign to raise troops ended in defeat. In the tenth month over twenty walled strongholds in Guanzhong mustered forces and came over in submission, while Shi Zun stormed and took Nanyang. In the eleventh month Ran Min murdered Shi Zun and massacred over a hundred thousand non-Han peoples; the Central Plains were thrown into utter chaos. In the twelfth month Chu Pou passed away. In Yonghe 8 Liu Xian, Fu Jian, and Murong Jun all usurped royal titles. Yin Hao's northern campaign failed and he was removed from office.
71
永和六年二月辛酉，月犯心大星。 占曰：「大人憂。 心豫州分也。」 丁丑，月犯房。 占曰：「將相憂。」 三月戊戌，熒惑犯歲星。 占曰：「為戰。」 六月己丑，月犯昴。 占同上。 乙未，月犯五諸侯。 占同三年。 七月壬寅，月始出西方，犯左角。 占曰：「大將軍死。」 一曰：「天下有兵。」 丁未，月犯箕。 占曰：「軍將死。」 丙寅，熒惑犯鉞星。 占曰：「大臣有誅。」 八月辛卯，月犯左角，太白晝見在南斗，月犯右執法。 占並同上。 七年二月，太白犯昴。 占同上。 乙卯，熒惑入輿鬼，犯積屍。 占曰：「貴人憂。」 五月乙未，熒惑犯軒轅大星。 占曰：「女主憂。」 太白入畢口，犯左股。 占曰：「將相當之。」 六月乙亥，月犯箕。 丙子，月犯斗。 丁丑，熒惑入太微，犯右執法。 八月庚午，太白犯軒轅。 戊子，太白犯右執法。 占悉同上。 七年，劉顯殺石祗及諸胡帥，中土大亂，戎、晉十萬數，各還舊土，互相侵略及疾疫死亡，能達者十二三。 是年，桓溫輒以大眾求浮江入淮北伐，朝廷震懼。 八年，豫州刺史謝尚討張遇，為苻雄所敗。 殷浩北伐敗，被廢。 十年，桓溫伐苻健，不克而還。
On a xinyou day in the second month of Yonghe 6 the moon trespassed against the principal star of the Heart asterism. The omen read: "The mighty would grieve. The Heart asterism governed the Yuzhou region." On a dingchou day the moon trespassed against the Room asterism. The omen read: "Commanders and ministers would know affliction." On a wuxu day in the third month Mars trespassed against Jupiter. The omen read: "It foretold combat." On a jichou day in the sixth month the moon crossed the Hairy Head. The omen reading matched that given above. On a yiwei day the moon trespassed against the Five Feudal Lords asterism. The omen reading was the same as in Yonghe 3. On a renyin day in the seventh month the moon rose first in the west and trespassed against the Left Horn star. The omen read: "The commander-in-chief would perish." A second interpretation: "War would spread across the empire." On a dingwei day the moon trespassed against the Winnowing Basket asterism. The omen read: "Field commanders would die." On a bingyin day Mars trespassed against the Halberd star. The omen read: "High officials would be put to death." On a xinmao day in the eighth month the moon trespassed against the Left Horn; Venus shone by day in the Southern Dipper; and the moon crossed the Right Law Enforcer star. The omen readings were all as given above. In the second month of Yonghe 7 Venus trespassed against the Hairy Head asterism. The omen reading matched that given above. On a yimao day Mars entered the Carriage Ghost asterism and trespassed against Accumulated Corpses. The omen read: "The high-born would know distress." On a yiwei day in the fifth month Mars trespassed against the principal star of Xuanyuan. The omen read: "The empress would be afflicted." Venus passed into the mouth of the Net asterism and trespassed against its left thigh star. The omen read: "The blow would fall on commanders and ministers." On a yihai day in the sixth month the moon trespassed against the Winnowing Basket. On a bingzi day the moon trespassed against the Dipper asterism. On a dingchou day Mars entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure and trespassed against the Right Law Enforcer star. On a gengwu day in the eighth month Venus trespassed against Xuanyuan. On a wuzi day Venus trespassed against the Right Law Enforcer star. The omen readings were all as given above. In Yonghe 7 Liu Xian slaughtered Shi Zhi and the Hu warlords, plunging the Central Plains into chaos. Non-Han and Jin peoples by the tens of thousands each turned homeward, preying on one another as they went; plague took still more lives, and only one or two in ten survived the journey. That year Huan Wen pressed again and again to ferry a massive army across the Yangtze into the Huai and strike north—throwing the court into alarm. In Yonghe 8 Xie Shang, inspector of Yuzhou, marched against Zhang Yu and was routed by Fu Xiong. Yin Hao's northern campaign failed and he was deposed. In Yonghe 10 Huan Wen marched against Fu Jian, failed to prevail, and withdrew.
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永和八年三月戊戌，月犯軒轅大星。 癸丑，月入南斗犯第二星。 五月，月犯心星。 四月癸酉，月犯房。 六月辛巳，日未入，有流星如三斗魁，從辰巳上東南行。 晷度推之，在箕、斗之間，蓋燕分也。 案占為營首，營首之下，流血滂沲。 七月壬子，歲星犯東井距星。 占曰：「內亂兵起。」 八月戊戌，熒惑入輿鬼。 占曰：「忠臣戮死。」 丙辰，太白入南斗，犯第四星。 占曰：「將為亂。」 一曰：「丞相免。」 九年二月乙巳，入南斗，犯第三星。 三月戊辰，月犯房。 八月，歲星犯輿鬼東南星。 占，「東南星主兵，兵起」。 十二月，月在東井，犯歲星。 占曰：「秦飢民流。」 是時帝主幼沖，母后稱制，將相有隙，兵革連起。 慕容儁僭稱大燕，攻伐無已，故災異數見，殷浩見廢也。
On a wuxu day in the third month of Yonghe 8 the moon trespassed against the principal star of Xuanyuan. On a guichou day the moon entered the Southern Dipper and trespassed against its second star. In the fifth month the moon trespassed against the Heart asterism. On a guiyou day in the fourth month the moon trespassed against the Room asterism. On a xinsi day in the sixth month, before sunset, a meteor the size of the Dipper's bowl streaked southeastward from the chen and si quadrants. By reckoning from the gnomon readings it fell between the Winnowing Basket and the Dipper—the celestial territory of Yan. The omen identified it as Camp Head; wherever Camp Head appeared, blood poured below in unending streams. On a renzi day in the seventh month Jupiter trespassed against the Eastern Well's separating star. The omen read: "Civil strife and war would break out." On a wuxu day in the eighth month Mars entered the Carriage Ghost asterism. The omen read: "Faithful ministers would be slaughtered." On a bingchen day Venus entered the Southern Dipper and trespassed against its fourth star. The omen read: "Generals would rise in revolt." A second interpretation: "The chief minister would be removed." On a yisi day in the second month of Yonghe 9 Venus entered the Southern Dipper and trespassed against its third star. On a wuchen day in the third month the moon trespassed against the Room asterism. In the eighth month Jupiter trespassed against the southeastern star of the Carriage Ghost asterism. The reading held: "The southeastern star presides over war—armies would rise." In the twelfth month the moon stood in the Eastern Well and trespassed against Jupiter. The omen read: "Starving masses in Qin would flee abroad." The emperor was still a child, the empress dowager ruled in his stead, commanders and ministers were at odds, and war followed war without respite. Murong Jun had declared himself emperor of Great Yan and waged unending war—hence the repeated omens in the sky, and hence Yin Hao's fall from power.
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永和十年正月乙卯，月食昴。 占曰：「趙、魏有兵。」 癸酉，填星奄鉞星。 占曰：「斧鉞用。」 二月甲申，月犯心大星。 占曰：「王者惡之。」 四月癸未，流星大如斗，色赤黃，出織女，沒造父，有聲如雷。 占曰：「燕、齊有兵，民流。」 戊午，月犯心大星。 七月庚午，太白晝見。 晷度推之，災在秦、鄭。 九月辛酉，太白犯左執法。 十一月，月奄填星，在輿鬼。 占曰：「秦有兵。」 十一年三月辛亥，月奄軒轅。 占同上。 四月庚寅，月犯牛宿南星。 占曰：「國有憂。」 八月己未，太白犯天江。 占曰：「河津不通。」 十二年六月庚子，太白晝見，在東井。 占如上。 己未，月犯鉞星。 七月丁卯，太白犯填星，在柳。 占曰：「周地有大兵。」 八月癸酉，月奄建星。 九月戊寅，熒惑入太微，犯西蕃上將星。 十一月丁丑，熒惑犯太微東蕃上相。 十年四月，桓溫伐苻健，破其嶢柳眾軍。 健壁長安，溫退。 十二月，慕容恪攻齊。 十二年八月，桓溫破姚襄於伊水，定周地。 十一月，齊城陷，執段龕，殺三千餘人。 永和末，鮮卑侵略河、冀，升平元年，慕容儁遂據臨漳，盡有幽、并、青、冀之地。 緣河諸將漸奔散，河津隔絕矣。 三年，會稽王以郗曇、謝萬敗績，求自貶三等。 是時權在方伯，九服交兵，故譴象仍見。
On a yimao day in the first month of Yonghe 10 the moon occulted the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "War would come to Zhao and Wei." On a guiyou day Saturn overshadowed the Halberd star. The omen read: "The executioner's axe would be put to use." On a jiashen day in the second month the moon trespassed against the principal star of the Heart. The omen read: "The sovereign would reckon it ill." On a guiwei day in the fourth month a meteor the size of the Dipper bowl, reddish-yellow in hue, burst from the Weaving Maid asterism and expired at Zaofu with a thunderous roar. The omen read: "War would strike Yan and Qi, and the people would flee." On a wuwu day the moon trespassed against the principal star of the Heart. On a gengwu day in the seventh month Venus shone by day. By reckoning from the gnomon readings, the affliction would fall on Qin and Zheng. On a xinyou day in the ninth month Venus trespassed against the Left Law Enforcer star. In the eleventh month the moon occulted Saturn while it stood in the Carriage Ghost asterism. The omen read: "War would break out in Qin." On a xinhai day in the third month of Yonghe 11 the moon occulted Xuanyuan. The omen reading matched that given above. On a gengyin day in the fourth month the moon trespassed against the southern star of the Ox constellation. The omen read: "The realm would know alarm." On a jiwei day in the eighth month Venus trespassed against the Celestial River asterism. The omen read: "River crossings would be blocked." On a gengzi day in the sixth month of Yonghe 12 Venus shone by day in the Eastern Well asterism. The omen reading was as given above. On a jiwei day the moon trespassed against the Halberd star. On a dingmao day in the seventh month Venus trespassed against Saturn in the Willow asterism. The omen read: "Great armies would rise in the Zhou territories." On a guiyou day in the eighth month the moon occulted the Establishment asterism. On a wuyin day in the ninth month Mars entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure and trespassed against the Senior General star on the western rampart. On a dingchou day in the eleventh month Mars trespassed against the Senior Minister star on the eastern rampart of the Supreme Palace Enclosure. In the fourth month of Yonghe 10 Huan Wen marched against Fu Jian and routed the Yaoliu army. Fu Jian held Chang'an behind walls, and Huan Wen withdrew. In the twelfth month Murong Ke besieged Qi. In the eighth month of Yonghe 12 Huan Wen crushed Yao Xiang at the Yi River and secured the Zhou territories. In the eleventh month Qi fell; Duan Kan was taken prisoner and more than three thousand were put to death. In the closing years of Yonghe the Xianbei raided He and Ji; in Shengping 1 Murong Jun seized Linzhang and came to hold all of You, Bing, Qing, and Ji. The commanders along the Yellow River gradually broke and fled, and the river fords were severed. In Shengping 3 the Prince of Kuaiji, on account of the defeats suffered by Xi Tan and Xie Wan, petitioned to lower his own rank by three degrees. Power then rested with the regional strongmen and war crossed every domain of the empire; hence chastising omens kept appearing.
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晉穆帝升平元年四月壬子，太白入輿鬼。 丁亥，月奄東井南轅西頭第二星。 占曰：「秦地有兵。」 一曰：「將死。」 六月戊戌，太白晝見，在軫。 占同上。 軫，楚分也。 壬子，月犯畢。 占曰：「為邊兵。」 七月辛巳，熒惑犯天江。 占曰：「河津不通。」 十一月，歲星犯房。 壬午，月奄歲星，在房。 占曰：「民飢。」 一曰：「豫州有災。」 二年二月辛卯，填星犯軒轅大星。 甲午，月犯東井。 閏月乙亥，月犯歲星，在房。 占悉同上。 五月丁亥，彗出天船，在胃度中。 彗為兵喪，除舊布新，出天船，外夷侵。 一曰：「為大水。」 六月辛酉，月犯房。 八月戊午，熒惑犯填星，在張。 占曰：「兵大起。 張，三河分。」 十月己未，太白犯哭星。 十二月，枉矢自東南流于西北，其長半天。 三年正月壬辰，熒惑犯楗閉。 案占，「人主憂」。 三月乙酉，熒惑逆行犯鉤鈐。 案占，「王者惡之」。 月犯太白，在昴。 占曰：「人君死。」 一曰：「趙地有兵，朝廷不安。」 六月，太白犯東井。 七月乙酉，熒惑犯天江。 丙戌，太白犯輿鬼。 占悉同上。 戊子，月犯牽牛中央大星。 占曰：「牽牛，天將也。 犯中央星，大將軍死。」 八月丁未，太白犯軒轅大星。 甲子，月犯畢大星。 占曰：「為邊兵。」 一曰：「下犯上。」 庚午，太白犯填星，在太微中。 占曰：「王者惡之。」 二年五月，關中氐帥殺苻生立堅。 十二月，慕容儁入屯鄴。 八月，安西將軍、豫州刺史謝弈薨。 三年十月，諸葛攸舟軍入河，敗績。 豫州刺史謝萬入潁，眾潰而歸，除名為民。 十一月，司徒會稽王以二鎮敗，求自貶三等。 四年正月，慕容儁死，子暐代立。 慕容恪殺其尚書令陽騖等。 五月，天下大水。 五年五月，穆帝崩。
On a renzi day in the fourth month of Shengping 1, during the reign of Emperor Mu of Jin, Venus entered the Carriage Ghost asterism. On a dinghai day the moon occulted the second star at the western end of the Eastern Well's southern axle. The omen read: "War would break out in the Qin region." A second interpretation: "A field commander would perish." On a wuxu day in the sixth month Venus shone by day in the Chariot Pivot asterism. The omen reading matched that given above. The Chariot Pivot asterism governed the Chu region. On a renzi day the moon trespassed against the Net asterism. The omen read: "It foretold war on the frontiers." On a xinsi day in the seventh month Mars trespassed against the Celestial River asterism. The omen read: "River crossings would be blocked." In the eleventh month Jupiter trespassed against the Room asterism. On a renwu day the moon occulted Jupiter in the Room asterism. The omen read: "The people would go hungry." A second interpretation: "Yuzhou would know disaster." On a xinmao day in the second month of Shengping 2 Saturn trespassed against the great star of Xuanyuan. On a jiawu day the moon trespassed against the Eastern Well asterism. On a yihai day in the intercalary month the moon trespassed against Jupiter in the Room asterism. The omen readings were all as given above. On a dinghai day in the fifth month a comet rose from the Celestial Ship asterism within the Stomach lodge. Comets foretell war and death, the overthrow of the old and the rise of the new; one issuing from the Celestial Ship means invasion by outer barbarians. A second interpretation: "It foretold catastrophic flooding." On a xinyou day in the sixth month the moon trespassed against the Room asterism. On a wuwu day in the eighth month Mars trespassed against Saturn in the Extended Net asterism. The omen read: "War on a vast scale would break out. The Extended Net asterism governed the Three Rivers region." On a jiwei day in the tenth month Venus trespassed against the Weeping Star. In the twelfth month a Crooked Arrow comet streamed from the southeast toward the northwest, its tail stretching halfway across the heavens. On a renchen day in the first month of Shengping 3 Mars trespassed against the Gate Bolt and Closer asterism. The established reading held that the sovereign would face grave anxiety. On a yiyou day in the third month Mars turned retrograde and trespassed against the Hooked Clasp asterism. The established reading held that the sovereign would reckon it ill. The moon trespassed against Venus in the Hairy Head asterism. The omen read: "The sovereign would perish." A second interpretation: "War would rise in the Zhao region and the court would know unrest." In the sixth month Venus trespassed against the Eastern Well asterism. On a yiyou day in the seventh month Mars trespassed against the Celestial River asterism. On a bingxu day Venus trespassed against the Carriage Ghost asterism. The omen readings were all as given above. On a wuzi day the moon trespassed against the central great star of the Lead Ox asterism. The omen read: "The Lead Ox is the star of heaven's general. Trespass against its central star and the commander-in-chief would perish." On a dingwei day in the eighth month Venus trespassed against the great star of Xuanyuan. On a jiazi day the moon trespassed against the great star of the Net asterism. The omen read: "It foretold war on the frontiers." A second interpretation: "The low would trespass against the high." On a gengwu day Venus trespassed against Saturn within the Supreme Palace Enclosure. The omen read: "The sovereign would reckon it ill." In the fifth month of Shengping 2 the Di chieftains of Guanzhong murdered Fu Sheng and raised Fu Jian to the throne. In the twelfth month Murong Jun marched in and encamped at Ye. In the eighth month Xie Yi, General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yuzhou, passed away. In the tenth month of Shengping 3 Zhuge You led a fleet up the Yellow River and met defeat. Xie Wan, Inspector of Yuzhou, marched into Ying; his army broke and fled, and he was dismissed from office and reduced to commoner status. In the eleventh month the Minister over the Masses, the Prince of Kuaiji, on account of the twin garrison defeats, petitioned to lower his own rank by three degrees. In the first month of Shengping 4 Murong Jun died and his son Wei ascended in his place. Murong Ke executed his Minister of the Interior Yang Yu and his associates. In the fifth month catastrophic flooding struck the empire. In the fifth month of Shengping 5 Emperor Mu passed away.
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升平四年正月乙亥，月犯牽牛中央大星。 占曰：「大將死。」 六月辛亥，辰星犯軒轅。 占曰：「女主憂。」 己未，太白入太微右掖門，從端門出。 占曰：「貴奪勢。」 一曰：「有兵。」 又曰：「出端門，臣不臣。」 八月戊申，太白犯氐。 占曰：「國有憂。」 丙辰，熒惑犯太微西蕃上將。 九月壬午，太白入南斗口，犯第四星。 占曰：「為喪，有赦，天下受爵祿。」 十月庚戌，天狗見西南。 占曰：「有大兵流血。」 十二甲寅，熒惑犯房。 丙寅，太白晝見。 庚寅，月犯楗閉。 占曰：「人君惡之。」 五年正月乙巳，填星逆行犯太微。 乙丑辰時，月在危宿奄太白。 占曰：「天下民靡散。」 三月丁未，月犯填星在軫。 占曰：「為大喪。」 五月壬寅，月犯太微。 庚戌，月犯建星。 占曰：「大臣相譖。」 辛亥，月犯牽牛宿。 占曰：「國有憂。」 五年正月，北中郎將郗曇薨。 五月，穆帝崩，哀帝立，大赦賜爵，褚后失勢。 七月，慕容恪攻冀州刺史呂護於野王，拔之，護奔滎陽。 是時桓溫以大眾次宛，聞護敗乃退。
On a yihai day in the first month of Shengping 4 the moon trespassed against the central great star of the Lead Ox asterism. The omen read: "A great general would perish." On a xinhai day in the sixth month Mercury trespassed against Xuanyuan. The omen read: "The empress would be afflicted." On a jiwei day Venus entered the Supreme Palace Enclosure by the Right Rear Gate and passed out through the End Gate. The omen read: "The mighty would lose their standing." A second interpretation: "War would follow." Another line read: "Passing out through the End Gate means subjects will no longer serve as subjects." On a wushen day in the eighth month Venus trespassed against the Root asterism. The omen read: "The realm would know alarm." On a bingchen day Mars trespassed against the Senior General star on the western rampart of the Supreme Palace Enclosure. On a renwu day in the ninth month Venus entered the mouth of the Southern Dipper and trespassed against its fourth star. The omen read: "It foretold mourning, an amnesty, and the bestowal of ranks and stipends throughout the empire." On a gengxu day in the tenth month the Heavenly Dog was seen in the southwest. The omen read: "Great armies would clash and blood would flow." On a jiayin day in the twelfth month Mars trespassed against the Room asterism. On a bingyin day Venus shone by day. On a gengyin day the moon trespassed against the Gate Bolt and Closer asterism. The omen read: "The sovereign would reckon it ill." On a yisi day in the first month of Shengping 5 Saturn turned retrograde and trespassed against the Supreme Palace Enclosure. At the chen hour on a yichou day the moon, standing in the Rooftop asterism, occulted Venus. The omen read: "The people of the empire would be driven apart and scattered." On a dingwei day in the third month the moon trespassed against Saturn in the Chariot Pivot asterism. The omen read: "It foretold death on an imperial scale." On a renyin day in the fifth month the moon trespassed against the Supreme Palace Enclosure. On a gengxu day the moon trespassed against the Establishment asterism. The omen read: "High ministers would turn accuser against one another." On a xinhai day the moon trespassed against the Lead Ox asterism. The omen read: "The realm would know alarm." In the first month of Shengping 5 Xi Tan, General of the Gentlemen of the Household for the North, passed away. In the fifth month Emperor Mu passed away and Emperor Ai ascended the throne; a general amnesty was proclaimed and ranks conferred, and Empress Dowager Chu lost her influence. In the seventh month Murong Ke besieged Lü Hu, Inspector of Jizhou, at Yewang, captured the city, and Hu fled to Xingyang. At that time Huan Wen had encamped a great army at Wan; hearing of Hu's defeat, he pulled back.
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升平五年六月癸酉，月奄氐東北星。 占曰：「大將當之。」 九月乙酉，奄畢。 占曰：「有邊兵。」 十月丁卯，熒惑犯歲星，在營室。 占曰：「大臣有匿謀。」 一曰：「衞地有兵。」 丁未，月犯畢赤星。 占曰：「下犯上。」 又曰：「有邊兵。」 八月，范汪廢。 隆和元年，慕容暐遣傅末波寇河陰，陳祐危逼。
On a guiyou day in the sixth month of Shengping 5, the moon occulted the northeastern star of the Root asterism. The omen read: "A great general would bear the consequence." On a yiyou day in the ninth month, the moon covered the Net asterism. The omen read: "Armies would stir on the frontier." On a dingmao day in the tenth month Mars trespassed against Jupiter in the Encampment asterism. The omen read: "High ministers would conceal secret plots." A second interpretation: "War would break out in the Wei territory." On a dingwei day the moon trespassed against the red star of the Net asterism. The omen read: "Those below would rise against those above." It also foretold armies on the frontier. In the eighth month Fan Wang was removed from office. In the first year of Longhe Murong Wei dispatched Fu Mobo to raid Heyin, leaving Chen You in dire peril.
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晉哀帝興寧元年八月，星孛大角亢，入天市。 按占，「為兵喪」。 三年正月，皇后王氏崩。 二月，哀帝崩。 三月，慕容恪攻洛陽，沈勁等戰死。
In the eighth month of the first year of Xingning, during the reign of Emperor Ai of Jin, a comet blazed at the Horn and Knees and swept into the Celestial Market. The reading was: "War and mourning would follow." In the first month of the third year Empress Wang passed away. In the second month Emperor Ai died. In the third month Murong Ke assaulted Luoyang, and Shen Jin and others fell in battle.
78
興寧元年十月丙戌，月奄太白，在須女。 占曰：「天下民靡散。」 一曰：「災在揚州。」 三年，洛陽沒。 其後桓溫傾揚州資實，討鮮卑敗績，死亡太半，及征袁真，淮南殘破。 後氐及東胡侵逼，兵役無已。
On a bingxu day in the tenth month of Xingning 1, the moon occulted Venus in the Maid asterism. The omen read: "The people of the empire would be driven apart and scattered." A second interpretation: "The disaster would strike Yangzhou." In the third year Luoyang was lost. Thereafter Huan Wen emptied Yangzhou of its wealth and supplies; his campaign against the Xianbei ended in rout, with more than half his men dead, and when he marched against Yuan Zhen, Huainan was laid waste. Later the Di and the Eastern Hu pressed ever closer, and conscription knew no respite.
79
興寧三年正月乙卯，月奄歲星，在參。 參，益州分也。 六月，鎮西將軍、益州刺史周撫薨。 十月，梁州刺史司馬勳入益州以叛，朱序率眾助刺史周楚討平之。
On a yimao day in the first month of Xingning 3, the moon occulted Jupiter in the Three Stars asterism. The Three Stars asterism is the celestial correlate of Yizhou. In the sixth month Zhou Fu, General Who Guards the West and Inspector of Yizhou, passed away. In the tenth month Sima Xun, Inspector of Liangzhou, entered Yizhou in revolt; Zhu Xu rallied forces to help Inspector Zhou Chu crush the rebellion.
80
興寧三年七月庚戌，月犯南斗。 占曰：「女主憂。」 歲星犯輿鬼。 占曰：「人君憂。」 十月，太白晝見，在亢。 占曰：「亢為朝廷，有兵喪，為臣強。」 哀帝是年二月崩，其災皆在海西也。 明年五月，皇后庾氏崩。
On a gengxu day in the seventh month of Xingning 3, the moon trespassed against the Southern Dipper. The omen read: "The empress would know grief." Jupiter trespassed against the Chariot and Ghost asterism. The omen read: "The sovereign would know alarm." In the tenth month Venus shone by day in the Knees asterism. The omen read: "The Knees stand for the imperial court—war and mourning would follow, and ministers would grow overmighty." Emperor Ai died that second month; every calamity foretold would instead befall the Deposed Emperor. In the fifth month of the following year Empress Yu passed away.
81
晉海西太和元年二日丙子，月奄熒惑，在參。 占曰：「為內亂。」 一曰：「參，魏地。」 二年正月，太白入昴。 五年，慕容暐為苻堅所滅，司、冀、幽、并四州並屬氐。
On a bingzi day in the second month of the first year of Taihe, during the reign of the Deposed Emperor of Jin, the moon occulted Mars in the Three Stars asterism. The omen read: "It foretold civil strife." A second interpretation: "The Three Stars asterism corresponds to Wei territory." In the first month of the second year Venus entered the Hairy Head asterism. In the fifth year Murong Wei was overthrown by Fu Jian, and the four provinces of Si, Ji, You, and Bing all passed into Di hands.
82
太和二年八月戊午，太白犯歲星，在太微。 三年六月甲寅，太白奄熒惑，在太微端門中。 六年，海西公廢。
On a wuwu day in the eighth month of Taihe 2, Venus trespassed against Jupiter in the Supreme Palace Enclosure. On a jiayin day in the sixth month of the third year Venus occulted Mars within the Front Gate of the Supreme Palace Enclosure. In the sixth year the Deposed Emperor was himself deposed.
83
太和四年二月，客星見紫宮西垣，至七月乃滅。 占曰：「客星守紫宮，臣殺主。」 閏月乙亥，月暈軫，復有白暈貫月，北暈斗柄三星。 占曰：「王者惡之。」 六年，桓溫廢帝。
In the second month of Taihe 4 a guest star appeared at the western wall of the Purple Palace and lingered until the seventh month before fading. The omen read: "A guest star holding station at the Purple Palace means ministers will kill their sovereign." On a yihai day in the intercalary month a lunar halo appeared at the Chariot Pivot; then a white halo ran through the moon, and to the north another halo ringed the three stars of the Dipper handle. The omen read: "The ruler would reckon it ill." In the sixth year Huan Wen deposed the emperor.
84
太和四年十月壬申，有大流星西下，聲如雷。 案占，「流星為貴使，星大者使大」。 明年，遣使免袁真為庶人。 桓溫征壽春，真病死，息瑾代立，求救於苻堅，溫破氐軍。 六年，壽春城陷，聲如雷，將士怒之象也。
On a renshen day in the tenth month of Taihe 4 a great meteor plunged westward with a thunderous roar. The reading held that meteors betokened high emissaries—the brighter the star, the loftier the messenger. The following year imperial envoys were sent to strip Yuan Zhen of office and reduce him to commoner rank. Huan Wen marched on Shouchun; Yuan Zhen died of illness, and his son Jin took his place and appealed to Fu Jian for aid; Wen routed the Di forces. In the sixth year Shouchun fell—the thunderous crash was an image of the fury of generals and troops.
85
太和六年閏月，熒惑守太微端門。 占曰：「天子亡國。」 又曰：「諸侯三公謀其上。」 一曰：「有斬臣。」 辛卯，月犯心大星。 占曰：「王者惡之。」 十一月，桓溫廢帝，并奏誅武陵王，簡文不許，溫乃徙之新安。
In the intercalary month of Taihe 6 Mars held station at the Front Gate of the Supreme Palace Enclosure. The omen read: "The emperor would lose his realm." It also foretold that regional lords and the three highest ministers would conspire against the throne. A second interpretation: "Ministers would be put to death." On a xinmao day the moon trespassed against the major star of the Heart asterism. The omen read: "The ruler would reckon it ill." In the eleventh month Huan Wen deposed the emperor and petitioned for the execution of the Prince of Wuling; Emperor Jianwen refused, and Wen had the prince banished to Xin'an.