卷八·第 527–530 问　择时、卜问与隐藏之物；全书终

§527. What is the fourth division and its beginnings?

第五百二十七问　第四部及其起点是什么？

It is the ascendants of beginnings, whether they happened and so became known, as nativities happen, or the time was chosen for them and kept. The aim in them is to add to their good fortunes and lessen their misfortunes, just as the effect of the Sun in summer is lightened by our choosing northern sitting-rooms, shades, wetted canvas screens and crushed snow. In this subject no attention is paid to the raving by which the rank and file (ḥashwiyya) seek to invalidate the choosing that we are concerned with. The pivot of the matter in it is putting the angles right, clearing them of the malefics and their aspects, and lighting them up with the benefics, especially the ascendant among them and its lord, the Moon and the lord of her house, and the indicator of the work that is being begun; and attending to the lords of the Moon, of the lord of the ascendant and of the indicator of the work, placing them aspecting the ascendant. But choosing for corruption and doing harm is a long, wide field into which it is not possible to enter now.

它是诸开端的上升点：或是它们发生了因而得知，就像本命发生那样；或是为它们选定时刻并加以把守。其中的目的是增加它们的幸运、减少它们的不幸，正如夏天太阳的作用，因我们选择朝北的起居室、荫凉、浸湿的帆布帘与碎雪而减轻。在这个题目里，不理会庸众（哈什维耶）用来否定我们所关心的择时的那些胡言。其中事情的枢纽，是把诸角弄好，清除其中的凶星及其照，用吉星照亮它们，尤其是其中的上升点及其主星、月亮及其所在宫之主，以及所开始之事的征象星；并照料月亮之主、上升主星之主与事情征象星之主，把它们安置在照上升点之处。但为败坏与加害而择时，是一片又长又宽的领域，现在不能进入。

§528. What is the fifth division and its beginnings?

第五百二十八问　第五部及其起点是什么？

Since the nativities of those asking about various accidents are for the most part unknown, the astrologers have made the ascendants of questions and their asking as a beginning for it, indeed as a nativity. They computed the ascendant for that moment, and then looked at what is in the ascendant, its lord, the Moon, and the planet that has been charged with it; these are the indicators of the questioner. The indicators of the thing asked about are for the most part the seventh and its lord, the house particular to the question and its lord, and the planet to which the Moon applies. There is no matter that is not within the sum of the twelve houses, and with a little consideration and reasoning it can be known from which house it is.

既然问种种变故的人，其本命大多不得而知，星占家就把诸问的上升点及其提问作为它的起点，甚至当作本命。他们推算那一刻的上升点，然后看上升点里有什么、它的主星、月亮，以及受托于它的那颗行星；这些是问卜者的征象。所问之事的征象，大多是第七宫及其主星、这个问题所特有的宫及其主星，以及月亮所入相的那颗行星。没有一件事不在十二宫的总和之内，稍加考虑与推理，就能知道它出自哪一宫。

§529. What is the bīkāriyya question?

第五百二十九问　何谓比卡里亚之问？

It is called by this name, and it is also called a universal question. It is the custom of most astrologers to treat it like questions in computing the ascendant for it at the time of asking; then they look in it at what they look at in a nativity, I mean the remaining life and the circumstances in it. Some of them add to it beyond the nativity, and set about deriving questions from it concerning the life that has passed. But the rank and file among the astrologers, who are fond of deceptions, send the questioner away and order him to dwell on his thought for three days, and not to let his mind be free of it for three, and then to ask it. After this folly has taken firm hold, I know no reason for it except to provide in advance against the corruption of their judgements coming to light [text uncertain], and putting the blame on the questioner for spoiling what they ordered him to do.

它以这个名称称呼，也叫作普遍之问。大多数星占家的习惯，是像对待诸问那样对待它，在提问之时为它推算上升点；然后在其中看他们在本命里所看的，我是说剩余的寿命与其中的境况。有些人在本命之外还往上加，着手从中推出关于已过之生平的问题。但星占家中那些爱好骗术的庸众，打发问卜者走，吩咐他三天沉思他的念头，三天里不让心离开它，然后再来问。这番愚行站稳脚跟之后，我不知道它有什么理由，只除了预先防备他们判断的败坏显露出来〔原文疑有讹误〕，并把过错推到问卜者身上，说他败坏了他们吩咐他做的事。

§530. What are the hidden thing and the thought?

第五百三十问　何谓隐藏之物与心念？

It is what is hidden in a fist, or is concealed from the asking. How often the astrologers are disgraced in it on the spot! And how often indeed are the augurs right, through what they use of the words spoken at the time of asking and what they see appear of signs and actions! On reaching this point of the art of astrology there is sufficiency; whoever goes beyond it has exposed himself and his art to what it has now come to, of being shunned and mocked, through the excessive ignorance of those who ascribe themselves to it, let alone of those who are certain of it. God is the one whose help is sought, and praise be to the Giver of life.

它是藏在拳中的东西，或在提问时被隐瞒的东西。星占家在这上面当场出丑的有多少次！而卜兆者凭他们所用的提问之时说出的话、凭他们所见出现的征兆与动作，猜对的又有多少次！到达占星之术的这一点就足够了；谁越过它，就使自己和他的技艺暴露于它如今所落入的境地——受人回避、遭人嘲笑——这是由于那些自称属于它的人极度无知，更不必说那些确信它的人了。真主是求助的对象，赞美归于赐生命者。

The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology is complete, the composition of Abu'l-Rayḥān Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Bīrūnī, may God have abundant mercy on him, and His blessings be upon Muḥammad and his pure family. Praise be to God, first and last.

《占星之术基础教导之书》完，阿布·赖罕·穆罕默德·本·艾哈迈德·比鲁尼所著，愿真主广施慈悯于他，愿祂的祝福归于穆罕默德及其纯洁的家族。赞美归于真主，从始至终。