Asterisms Jing (Well) and Yue (Battle Axe)

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05♋19 to 18♋47

The 22nd Chinese lunar mansion is named 井宿 Jǐng Su, “Well Mansion.”
The 1st asterism of the Well Mansion is also called 井宿 Jǐng, “Well,” representing the “Eastern Well,” and is composed of 8 stars of the constellation Gemini.
The 2nd asterism of the Well Mansion is named 鉞 Yuè, “Battle Axe,” representing an ancient weapon (钺, pronounced “yue”). It is composed of 1 star of the constellation Gemini. ^[1]

Note: The single-star asterism 月 Yuè, “Moon,” is the 3rd asterism of the 18th Chinese lunar mansion, Mao, “Hairy Head.” [2]

2000	2050	IAU	Chinese	Orb
05♋19	06♋01	μ Gem	Jing Su Yi (1)	2°00′
06♋48	07♋31	ν Gem	Jing Su Er (2)	1°20′
09♋07	09♋49	γ Gem	Jing Su San (3)	2°20′
11♋13	11♋55	ξ Gem	Jing Su Si (4)	1°40′
09♋57	10♋39	ε Gem	Jing Su Wu (5)	1°50′
11♋58	12♋40	36 Gem	Jing Su Liu (6)	1°00′
15♋00	15♋42	ζ Gem	Jing Su Qi (7)	1°20′
18♋47	19♋29	λ Gem	Jing Su Ba (8)	1°40′

03♋26	04♋09	η Gem	Yue	1°40′

Constellation Jing the Well

05♋19 to 18♋47

Those born under the constellation Jing are sentimental, witty, and honest by nature. They are passionate individuals with a dual personality, being both cheerful and composed. However, their strong sense of pride can make them inflexible.

It belongs to the Wood element and is associated with the mythical beast, Bi’an. It is the first constellation in the south, and its star cluster resembles a net, hence the name “Jing” (the character “Jing” resembles a net). The Jing constellation is like a net facing you, or a bottomless ocean; therefore, it is considered mostly inauspicious.

When the constellation Jing is in power, things will not go smoothly; there will be more bad luck than good luck, and plagues and disasters will occur. All requests will be unfavorable, and money will be lost, and a hundred calamities will follow.

The character “井” (Jing) appears in the Records of the Grand Historian, specifically in the section on celestial offices. The eight stars of the constellation Jing resemble a well, hence the name. Jing belongs to the constellation Gemini and is located between the constellations Helios and Shen (参宿). This is one way to locate Jing. ^[2]

Jing Muyan

Those born under the Well Mansion will have varying degrees of wealth, whether they have it or not. They are inclined towards love, reputation, and officialdom. Even if they encounter official troubles, they will eventually be extricated. They are prone to illness and have many children. They are ambitious and may face urgent difficulties. However, in terms of conduct, they are somewhat upright and honest.

Any act of charity will surely yield great results. Any undertakings will be successful. They are suitable for performing various sacrifices, Brahmanical rituals, and heavenly rituals. Marriage and taking wives will surely result in numerous offspring. All undertakings of this sign will be auspicious. However, they are not suitable for preparing or taking medicine.

Well Advice

It’s easy to damage relationships by arguing with others, ultimately leading to a superficial victory but a real loss. It’s a losing proposition. Cultivating a more tactful approach to interpersonal relationships can improve one’s connections and attract more people to help.

Sometimes, those born under the Jing constellation are prone to making mistakes in judging people. This can lead them to help the wrong people and become accomplices to evil. Conversely, they may neglect those who are important and close to them. It’s important not to focus solely on superficial matters and so-called theories that lead them astray. Establishing guiding principles before acting will greatly help those born under the Jing constellation.

Success for those born under the Well Constellation is often built upon the blessings gained from continuously helping others. Instead of relying on one’s own judgment and excessive competitiveness, it’s better to be more compassionate and helpful to those around them. At the same time, learning to appreciate the happiness one already possesses and avoiding excessive criticism will allow those born under the Well Constellation to experience increasingly smooth lives. ^[3]

Ma Duanlin (1317)

The Well (Jing) constellation, at 34 degrees, is described by Gan Shi as having eight stars in the river (Milky Way), governing springs and the central axis of the sun, moon, and five planets. Shi Shi calls it Dongjing (the Eastern Well), also called Tianjing (Heavenly Well), which governs the positions of feudal lords, imperial relatives, and the Three Dukes. Therefore, its brightness signifies the enfeoffment of marquises and the establishment of states; its movement or loss of color signifies the execution of marquises and relatives, the demotion of the Three Dukes, and the suffering of the Imperial Tutor. Zhang Heng said that the Well is the southern gate of heaven, the path of the ecliptic, and the place where the emperor resides, in charge of water balances and the fairness of laws and decrees. When the king uses the law fairly, the Well is bright and orderly.

The star Yue (Battle Axe), attached to the Well, signifies the observation and execution of those who indulge in extravagance and debauchery; therefore, its brightness is not desired. When the Great Star (大) [Venus?] is aligned with the Well constellation, or moves, the emperor uses the Axe against his ministers. When the moon resides in the Well constellation, there will be wind and rain. It is also said that the Well constellation is the emperor’s palace. Darkness, brilliance, solar and lunar eclipses, and the reversal of the five planets signify that ministers will plot rebellion and war will break out. ^[4]

Song History (1346)

The eight stars of Dongjing (Eastern Well) are the southern gate of the heavens, traversed by the ecliptic. The seven luminaries constantly pass through it, making it the celestial guardian in charge of water-balance matters and ensuring the fairness of laws and decrees. The Wu Mi Divination states: “The three luminaries (sun, moon, and stars [five planets]) are on the correct path within Jing (Well). If the five planets remain and pass through it, it signifies a world without order. It is undesirable for it to be bright; if it is bright, there will be great floods.” Another divination states: “When laws are applied fairly, Jing (Well) will be bright. If the Yue (Axe) star is near Jing, it signifies the execution of those who are extravagant and licentious; if it is bright and aligned with Jing, then the Yue will be used against high-ranking officials.”

A solar eclipse signifies drought in Qin, displacement of people, and disloyalty; a lunar halo indicates much wind and rain; a bluish-red halo around the sun, resembling a crown, signifies the emperor establishing marquises and kings.

A lunar eclipse signifies internal strife, the dismissal of high-ranking officials, unease in the empire, poor harvests, and periods of war and mourning. A lunar halo signifies drought, war, displacement, national distress, and sometimes a general amnesty. A lunar halo indicates disharmony between Yin and Yang; a halo with three layers in the third month signifies great floods, and in the twelfth month, a day of Ren or Gui signifies a general amnesty. If the moon violates this, the general will die in battle, the water official will be dismissed, and punishments will be unjust; if it violates the Well and Axe stars, high-ranking officials will be executed, and water-related incidents will occur.

The moon’s presence indicates wind and rain.

When Mercury invades, if the star advances, war will advance; if it retreats, war will retreat, and the laws will be fair; it is also said that northern armies will rise, and the year will be bad. If the horn is moving, reddish-black, it signifies water and war.

When Venus invades, the blame lies with the general; if it guards for a long time, the ruler will lose power, and ministers will rebel.

When Mars invades, those who initiate warfare will suffer calamity; it is also said that the emperor will be defeated by water. If it enters and guards for ten days, there will be war among the people, and nobles will be uneasy. If it guards for thirty days, forming a hook [stations retrograde or direct], with its horn moving and its color reddish-black, nobles will be affected, rivers will overflow, and war will break out.

If Jupiter invades, the king will be strict with the law, there will be many lawsuits, floods will occur, and generals will be displeased; if it violates the Well and Axe, close ministers will rebel, and war will break out; if it moves backward into the Well, rivers will be blocked.

When Saturn invades, war will break out in the northeast, and high officials will be worried; if it enters the Well and Axe constellations, the king will be displeased; If it is in the Beak constellation and moves away from the East Well constellation, there will be no land below.

When a guest star invades, the harvest will be poor, ministers will be executed, there will be earthworks (land reclamation projects), and children will spread rumors.

If a comet invades, the people will slander, the country will lose power, ministers will be executed, and there will be military disasters.

If a meteor invades, if it is in spring or summer, there will be rebellion in Qin; if it is in autumn or winter, there will be worries in the palace. The Yi Si Zhan (Book of Changes in the Year of Yi Si) states: A yellowish-brown meteor signifies national peace; a reddish-black meteor indicates the dispersal of people from Qin and floods.

Dark, bluish-gray clouds entering the area signify disease among the people; yellowish-white, glossy clouds indicate a guest will come to speak of matters related to water or floods. Black clouds entering the area signify a great flood. This is usually observed on the first day of the first month. If there are clouds above the constellation Jing, there will be many floods in the year. ^[5]