卷二·第十章　论岁首新月

Now that we have described the procedure of prediction about the general states of countries and cities, it would remain to mention matters of greater detail; I refer to events that happen yearly in connection with the seasons. In the investigation of this subject it would be appropriate first to define the so‑called new moon of the year. That this should properly be the beginning of the sun's circular course in each of his revolutions is plain from the thing itself, both from its power and from its name.

关于各地区、各城市总体状况的预言之法，我们既已讲过，剩下要提的是更细一层的事，我指的是每年随季节而发生的事。研究这个题目，宜先界定所谓的「岁首新月」。它理当是太阳每一次周转中环行的起点，这从事情本身就显而易见，无论就其力而言，还是就其名而言。

To be sure, one could not conceive what starting-point to assume in a circle, as a general proposition; but in the circle through the middle of the zodiac one would properly take as the only beginnings the points determined by the equator and the tropics, that is, the two equinoxes and the two solstices. Even then, however, one would still be at a loss which of the four to prefer.

诚然，一般而论，在一个圆上，人想不出该取哪一点为起点；但在穿过黄道带正中的那个圆上，理当只取由赤道与两条回归线所定的点为起点，也就是两个分点与两个至点。即便如此，四者之中该偏取哪一个，仍叫人无所适从。

Indeed, in a circle, absolutely considered, no one of them takes the lead, as would be the case if there were one starting-point, but those who have written on these matters have made use of each of the four, in various ways assuming some one as the starting-point, as they were led by their own arguments and by the natural characteristics of the four points. This is not strange, for each of these parts has some special claim to being reasonably considered the starting-point and the new year.

的确，单就圆本身而论，四者之中没有哪一个居先——只有一个起点时才会有居先者；著述这些事的人四者都用过，各凭自己的论证与四点的自然特性，以不同的方式取其中之一为起点。这并不奇怪，因为这几部分各有某种特别的理由，可以合理地被当作起点与新年。

The spring equinox might be preferred because first at that time the day begins to be longer than the night and because it belongs to the moist season, and this element, as we said before, is chiefly present at the beginning of nativities; the summer solstice because the longest day occurs at that time and because to the Egyptians it signifies the flooding of the Nile and the rising of the dog star; the fall equinox because all the crops have by then been harvested, and a fresh start is then made with the sowing of the seed of future crops; and the winter solstice because then, after diminishing, the day first begins to lengthen.

春分可取，因为白昼从那时起开始长于黑夜，又因为它属于湿润的季节，而如前所说，湿这一元素在诸生命降生之初最为充盈；夏至可取，因为一年最长的白昼在那时出现，又因为对埃及人来说，它预示着尼罗河的泛滥与天狼星的升起；秋分可取，因为那时所有作物都已收割完毕，又以播下来年作物的种子重新开始；冬至可取，因为白昼在缩短之后，从那时起开始变长。

It seems more proper and natural to me, however, to employ the four starting-points for investigations which deal with the year, observing the syzygies of the sun and moon at new and full moon which most nearly precede them, and among these in particular the conjunctions at which eclipses take place, so that from the starting-point in Aries we may conjecture what the spring will be like, from that in Cancer the summer, from that in Libra the autumn, and from that in Capricorn the winter.

不过在我看来，更恰当、更合乎自然的做法，是在研究一年之事时四个起点都用，观察在它们之前最近发生的日月朔望，即新月与满月，其中尤其要看发生交食的那些会合；这样，从白羊的起点推测春季会怎样，从巨蟹的起点推测夏季，从天秤的起点推测秋季，从摩羯的起点推测冬季。

For the sun creates the general qualities and conditions of the seasons, by means of which even those who are totally ignorant of astrology can foretell the future.

因为太阳造成四季的总体性质与状况，凭着这些，即便全然不懂星占的人也能预言未来。

Furthermore, we must take into consideration the special qualities of the signs of the zodiac to obtain prognostications of the winds and of the more general natures; and the variations of degree from time to time are in general again shown by the conjunctions which take place at the aforesaid points and by the aspects of the planets to them, and in particular also by the conjunctions and full moons in the several signs and by the course of the planets. This might be called monthly investigation.

此外，要预知风和较总体的性质，我们必须考虑黄道各星座的特性；而程度上一时一时的变化，大体上又由发生在上述各点的会合以及诸行星对它们的相位来显示，具体而言，还由各个星座里的新月与满月以及诸行星的行程来显示。这可以称为逐月的考察。

As it is proper that for this purpose there be enumerated the peculiar natural powers of the several signs to influence annual conditions, as well as those of the several planets, we have already, in what precedes, explained the familiarity of the planets, and of the fixed stars of like temperament, with the air and the winds, as well as that of the signs, as wholes, with the winds and seasons. It would remain to speak of the nature of the signs, part by part.

为此，理应把各星座以及各行星影响一年状况的特有自然之力一一列出；前文我们已经说明了诸行星以及与之气质相同的恒星与空气、风的亲缘，也说明了各星座就整体而言与风、季节的亲缘。剩下要讲的，是星座逐部分的性质。