00♊38 to 09♊48
Asterism 畢 Bi – Net (Complete)
The 19th Chinese lunar mansion is named 畢宿 Bì Su, “Net Mansion.” It is the 5th of the 7 mansions of the White Tiger of the West.
The 1st asterism of the Net Mansion is also called 畢 Bì, “Net,” also meaning “Complete.” It represents small rabbit-hunting nets with long handles, or rain-making nets, and governs border troops and hunting expeditions. It is composed of 8 stars of the constellation Taurus. [1]
Note: The 14th lunar mansion and its first asterism are named 壁 Bì “Wall,” starting at 09♈09.
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 08♊28 | 09♊10 | ε Tau | Bi Su Yi (1) | 1°40′ |
| 07♊32 | 08♊15 | δ³ Tau | Bi Su Er (2) | 1°10′ |
| 06♊53 | 07♊35 | δ¹ Tau | Bi Su San (3) | 1°30′ |
| 05♊49 | 06♊31 | γ Tau | Bi Su Si (4) | 1°40′ |
| 09♊48 | 10♊30 | α Tau | Bi Su Wu (5) | 2°40′ |
| 07♊58 | 08♊40 | θ² Tau | Bi Su Liu (6) | 1°30′ |
| 07♊22 | 08♊05 | 71 Tau | Bi Su Qi (7) | 1°10′ |
| 00♊38 | 01♊21 | λ Tau | Bi Su Ba (8) | 1°40′ |
Constellation Bi the Net
00♊38 to 09♊48
The Bi constellation signifies perseverance, stability, tranquility, harmony, and a degree of idealism. Those with this sign are financially capable and know how to plan. It’s important to improve adaptability and be thorough in completing tasks to avoid being perceived as overconfident and lacking practical skills.
It represents the moon and the crow. It is the fifth constellation in the west, also known as “Hanche,” which is equivalent to the border army. “Bi” also means “complete,” so the Bi constellation is generally auspicious.
When the constellation Bi (毕) is in use, things will prosper; when offering sacrifices or opening doors, good fortune will abound; all construction and repairs will be extremely successful; and wealth, cattle, and horses will fill the mountains and rivers.
The Yili (Book of Rites) states, “The clan elder holds the bi and enters first,” with the commentary noting, “The bi is shaped like a yi (乂).” The Shijing (Book of Poetry), in the Xiaoya section, mentions, “There is a bi in the sky,” with Zhu Xi’s commentary stating, “The bi is the star bi, shaped like a bi used to catch a rabbit.” The Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), in the Tianguan Shu (Treatise on Celestial Offices), says, “The area between the Pleiades and bi is the celestial street,” referring to the frequent passage of the sun, moon, and planets through this area, with Mercury located between these two constellations. The Shijing (Book of Poetry ) states, “When the moon leaves bi, the rains will be torrential,” indicating that the rainy season arrives when the moon passes through bi.
Bi Yuewu: Xu is an official of the season, also known as the seasonal deity, and is governed by the Bi star deity. The seasonal deity’s surname is Sang, given name Gongsun, carries a sword, wears a white fur robe, and is governed by the Bi star deity. [1]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
Bi resembles a forked claw with eight stars. A single star shines from Bi’s ear. Bi, at seventeen degrees, governs border troops and hunting.
Its largest star is called Tian Gao (α Tau, Aldebaran), also known as Bian Jiang, and governs the commanders of the four barbarian tribes. When the star is bright and large, distant barbarians come to pay tribute, and the world is at peace. When it loses its color, border troops are in chaos. When one star disappears, it signifies war and loss. When it moves, border troops rise up, and there are slanderous ministers. When it moves away, the world’s prisons are in chaos. When it gathers together, the laws are cruel.
Gan Shi said that Bi governs the streets and alleys and rain, and is the rain master of heaven. Therefore, when it is bright and moving, there will be heavy rain and streets will be blocked. When it is bright and still, the world is at peace.
Zhang Heng said that Bi is the celestial horse. It also signifies solar and lunar eclipses, border troops will be in danger, and generals will decline. When Jupiter invades, there will be military achievements.
The Song Liangchao Tianwen Zhi states: The eight stars of Bi (毕) are 75 degrees from the first star of the right leg. [2]
Song History (1346)
The eight stars of Bi Mansion govern border troops and hunting expeditions. Its largest star is called Tian Gao (α Tau, Aldebaran), also known as Bian Jiang, representing the commander overseeing the four barbarian regions. The Book of Celestial Offices says: “Bi is the chariot.”
If these stars shine brightly and prominently, distant people come to pay homage, and the realm is at peace; if they dim or their color fades, border troops are in chaos; when one star is missing, it signifies war and loss. If they waver or move restlessly, border troops will mobilize. If they shift positions, prisons across the land will fall into chaos. If these stars gather closely together, laws and punishments will become harsh and severe.
A solar eclipse signifies that a border ruler will die; troops may kill their own leader, while distant states plot rebellion or disorder. If the sun is surrounded by a halo (the sun’s corona), border troops will be active; if not, this indicates anxiety for the northern ruler. It also signifies wind and rain.
A lunar eclipse indicates that an amnesty will be issued; there will be military conflict in the Zhao region, or the ruler of Zhao will suffer anxiety. If the moon is surrounded by a halo, warfare and disorder will erupt, famine and mourning will follow. If three halos appear around it, there will be rebellion on the borders; if rain or wind occurs within seven days, this omen may be resolved. It also indicates anxiety for a weak (southern) state and an amnesty across the realm.
If a celestial body transgresses Aldebaran, it signifies subordinates challenging superiors; a high-ranking general will die, and a weak (southern or yin) state will suffer anxiety. If an object enters the mouth of Bi (between Aldebaran and ε Tau, Ain), heavy rains will occur. If it pierces through Bi, there will be famine in that year, and banditry will rise. If its position deviates from the constellation and moves away from Bi, rain will follow; if it resides at the center of Bi (γ Tau, Hyadum I), a female ruler will suffer anxiety. Another interpretation says transgressing to the north signifies anxiety for yin states, while transgression to the south indicates anxiety for yang (strong or northern) states.
If Jupiter transgresses Bi, winter will see frequent winds and rain; another interpretation says it signifies floods. If it enters the mouth of Bi, border troops will rise, people will face famine, and an amnesty will be declared. If it remains in Bi for thirty days, foreign or guest troops will mobilize. Transgression to the sunny, strong (yang) side indicates drought; transgression to the shady, weak (yin) side signifies floods.
If Mars transgresses the right horn of Bi (Aldebaran), a major battle will occur; if it transgresses the left horn (Ain), only minor warfare will take place. If it enters Bi, border forces become anxious; if it remains over Bi, famine occurs, and an amnesty is issued. If it forms a hooked or ringed pattern (勾巳环绕) [staions retrograde or direct], there will be a grand pardon. Another interpretation holds that entering the center of Bi means that military conflict arises but then ceases. Remaining in this position also indicates that hunting activities are taking place, with anxiety for the northern ruler and blocked roads across the realm. Entering the mouth of Bi signifies that an amnesty is declared; if Mars moves backward to Mao, death or mourning will occur. If it departs from Bi but returns again, high-ranking officials suffer anxiety. Leaving the mouth of Bi indicates anxiety in the Zhao state.
If Saturn transgresses Bi, troops will rise in the northwest, but there will be no battle. If it remains over this constellation, troops will surrender and an amnesty is declared; another interpretation holds that heavy labor projects (or excessive land reclamation) and corvée labor become burdensome, leading to warfare. Entering Bi signifies earthquakes and flooding. Remaining at the mouth of Bi means a high-ranking individual will suffer consequences. Whether Saturn enters, exits, lingers or resides in this region, military conflict occurs, with foreign forces suffering defeat or death.
If Venus transgresses the right horn of Bi (Aldebaran), troops will suffer defeat and generals die. If it enters the mouth of Bi (between Aldebaran and Ain), generals, ministers and high-ranking officials rebel; a great amnesty is declared, the state changes its laws and policies, feudal lords raise armies, floods occur, and five grains fail to mature. If Venus pierces through Bi entirely, granaries become empty and military forces from four regions rise up in war.
If Mercury transgresses Bi, disasters will strike the border regions; if it enters the mouth of Bi (between Aldebaran and Ain), the state changes its governance. If it remains in this position, floods occur, the people suffer, crops fail to mature, and border troops mobilize. Remaining at the mouth of Bi indicates that people will rebel or cause disorder.
If a guest star transgresses Bi, the ruler and high-ranking individuals suffer anxiety; in times of peace, warfare erupts; if there is already conflict, it will cease. If the guest star enters Bi, many legal cases and imprisonments occur. If it remains in this position, it signifies famine and mobilization of border troops. If it leaves Bi, carriages and horses move in a rush.
When a guest star invades the area, the ruler worries; if there is no war, troops rise up; if there is war, troops cease; if it enters the area, there are many prisons; if it guards the area, there is famine and border troops rise up; if it leaves the area, there is a rush of carriages and horses.
If a comet transgresses Bi, chaos occurs in the north, and the people worry. If a comet appears, flares up, or becomes bright, local projects flourish, earthworks projects are initiated, and heavy corvée labor duties are imposed. If the color is bluish-green, it signifies famine and military defeat; if yellow, women will cause disorder or rebellion; if white, warfare and mourning occur; if black, floods follow.
If a meteor transgresses Bi, there is a major border war; if it is red, a large-scale military invasion occurs. If a meteor enters and then exits Bi, an amnesty is declared. A yellow or white meteor with brightness entering signifies that foreigners will come to offer tribute.
If bluish-white clouds enter Bi, the harvest that year will fail; if red clouds do so, warfare, drought, and fires will occur. If yellow or white clouds appear, it signifies joy for the Emperor.
According to the Han dynasty’s Yongyuan Bronze Instrument (Yongyuan Tongyi), Bi spans sixteen degrees. Previously recorded as 78 degrees from the celestial pole. According to the Jingyou measurement and observation, Bi was measured at 17 degrees; the distance between the northern star of its mouth to the celestial pole is 77 degrees. [3]