卷三·第三章　论本命占的分科

After this preface, should any one simply for the sake of order attempt to subdivide the whole field of genethlialogical science, he would find that, of all the natural and possible predictions, one division concerns solely events preceding the birth, such as the account of the parents; another deals with events both before and after the birth, such as the account of brothers and sisters; another, with events at the very time of the birth, a subject which is no longer so unitary and simple; and finally that which treats of post-natal matters, which is likewise more complex in its theoretical development.

有了这段序言之后，倘若有人只为条理起见，要把本命占这门学问的整个领域加以细分，他会发现：在一切合乎自然、可以做到的预言之中，有一部分只涉及降生之前的事，例如关于父母的论述；另一部分涉及降生前后都有的事，例如关于兄弟姊妹的论述；又一部分涉及正当降生之时的事，这一题目就不再那么单一、简单了；最后一部分讨论降生之后的事，其理论的展开同样更为繁复。

Among the subjects contemporary with the birth into which inquiry is made are those of sex, of twins or multiple births, of monsters, and of children that cannot be reared. To those dealing with post-natal events belong the account of the length of life, for this is not attached to the account of children that cannot be reared; second, that of the form of the body and that of bodily illnesses and injuries; next, that of the quality of the mind and illnesses of the mind; then that which concerns fortune, both in the matter of possessions and in that of dignities; and after this the account of the quality of action; then that of marriage and of the begetting of children, and that of associations, agreements, and friends; following comes the account of journeys, and finally that of the quality of death, which is potentially akin to the inquiry about the length of life, but in order is reasonably placed at the end of all these subjects.

与降生同时、需要探究的题目，有性别、双生或多胎、畸形，以及不得养育的孩子。属于降生之后的，首先是寿数的论述，因为它与不得养育的孩子的论述并不相连；其次是身体的形貌，以及身体的疾病与伤损；再次是心灵的性质与心灵的疾病；然后是财运，既有财产方面的，也有地位尊荣方面的；此后是行事的性质；再后是婚姻与生育子女，以及交游、盟约与朋友；接着是远行；最后是死亡的性质——它在潜在的意义上与寿数之问相近，但按次序，放在所有这些题目的最后是合理的。

We shall sketch each of these subjects briefly, explaining, as we said before, together with the effective powers by themselves, the actual procedure of investigation; as for the nonsense on which many waste their labour and of which not even a plausible account can be given, this we shall dismiss in favour of the primary natural causes.

对其中每一个题目，我们都将简略勾勒：如前所说，既讲诸星本身的作用之力，也讲实际的推究步骤；至于许多人在上面白费力气、连一个似乎合理的说法都给不出的那些无稽之谈，我们一概舍弃，只取首要的自然原因。

What, however, admits of prediction we shall investigate, not by means of lots and numbers of which no reasonable explanation can be given, but merely through the science of the aspects of the stars to the places with which they have familiarity, in general terms, however, which are applicable to absolutely all cases, that we may avoid the repetition involved in the discussion of particular cases.

凡是可以预言的，我们都要探究，但不借助那些说不出合理解释的“点”和数字，只凭诸星对与之亲近之位所成相位的学问；而且用概括的说法，使之适用于一切情形，以免逐个讨论特例时的重复。

In the first place, we should examine that place of the zodiac which is pertinent to the specific heading of the geniture which is subject to query; for example, the mid‑heaven, for the query about action, or the place of the sun for the question about the father; then we must observe those planets which have the election of rulership to the place in question by the five ways aforesaid; and if one planet is lord in all these ways, we must assign to him the rulership of that prediction; if two or three, we must assign it to those which have the more claims.

首先，要察看黄道上与命盘中所问那一项相关的位置：例如问行事看中天，问父亲看太阳所在之位；然后观察那些按前述五种方式对此位有主宰资格的行星：若有一颗行星在这几种方式上全都是主，就把这一预言的主宰权归给它；若有两三颗，就归给资格较多的那几颗。

After this, to determine the quality of the prediction, we must consider the natures of the ruling planets themselves and of the signs in which are the planets themselves, and the places familiar to them. For the magnitude of the event we must examine their power and observe whether they are actively situated both in the cosmos itself and in the nativity, or the reverse; for they are most effective when, with respect to the cosmos, they are in their own or in familiar regions, and again when they are rising and are increasing in their numbers; and, with respect to the nativity, whenever they are passing through the angles or signs that rise after them, and especially the principal of these, by which I mean the signs ascendant and culminating.

此后，要定预言的性质，须考虑主宰之星本身的本性、它们所在星座的本性，以及与它们亲近的位置。要定事情的大小，须察看它们的力，看它们无论就宇宙本身而言、还是就本命盘而言，是处在有作为的位置，还是相反：就宇宙而言，它们在自己的或与之亲近的区域时，以及正在升起、数值正在递增时，最为有力；就本命盘而言，它们行经四角或紧随四角升起的星座时最为有力，尤其是其中最主要的，我指的是上升星座与中天星座。

They are weakest, with respect to the universe, when they are in places belonging to others or those unrelated to them, and when they are occidental or retreating in their course; and, with respect to the nativity, when they are declining from the angles. For the time of the predicted event in general we must observe whether they are oriental or occidental to the sun and to the horoscope; for the quadrants which precede each of them and those which are diametrically opposite are oriental, and the others, which follow, are occidental.

它们最弱的时候：就宇宙而言，是在属于别星的、或与它们毫无关联的位置，以及西入、或在运行中后退的时候；就本命盘而言，是从四角落下的时候。至于所预言之事大体在什么时候发生，要看它们对太阳和对上升点而言，是属东方还是属西方：在两者各自之前的象限，以及与之正相对的象限，属东方；其余两个在其后的象限，属西方。

Also we must observe whether they are at the angles or in the succedent signs; for if they are oriental or at the angles they are more effective at the beginning; if they are occidental or in the succeeding signs they are slower to take action.

还要看它们是在四角还是在续宫：若属东方或在四角，它们在开始时就更见效力；若属西方或在续宫，它们发生作用就较迟。