15♎12 to 15♏27
The second Chinese lunar mansion is named 亢宿 Kang Su, “Neck Mansion.” It is the second of the seven mansions of the Azure Dragon of the East.
The first asterism of the Neck Mansion is also called 亢 Kang, “Neck.” It represents Azure Dragon’s neck and is composed of 4 stars of the Virgo constellation. [1]
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 15♎12 | 15♎55 | κ Vir, Kang | Kang Su Yi (1) | 1°20′ |
| 03♏48 | 04♏30 | ι Vir, Syrma | Kang Su Er (2) | 1°20′ |
| 15♏27 | 16♏09 | φ Vir, Elgafar | Kang Su San (3) | 1°00′ |
| 06♏57 | 07♏39 | λ Vir, Khambalia | Kang Su Si (4) | 1°20′ |
Constellation Kang the Neck
15♎12 to 15♏27
The four stars of the Kang constellation represent the inner court of the emperor, overseeing all matters reported by the emperor. They hear lawsuits, handle cases, and record merits. They are also called the “Temple of the Disturbance”. They govern disease and epidemics. [2]
Those born under the Kang constellation are shrewd and persuasive in their decision-making, but their plans are often lacking in thoroughness. They are prone to acting impulsively, possessing fighting spirit, but experiencing fluctuating fortunes. They are also easily tempted to act rashly. They often suffer losses due to arrogance and vanity.
It belongs to the metal element and represents the dragon. It is the second constellation in the east and is the neck of the Azure Dragon. The dragon’s neck is protected by its horns, and its transformation involves the entire body, hence it is generally auspicious.
The star Kang is auspicious for seeking things; marriage and sacrifices have auspicious origins; burial will surely produce officials and nobles; opening doors and releasing water will produce dukes and marquises.
Kang refers to the throat of a dragon. The Erya Shi Niao states, “Kang is the throat of a bird,” with a note saying, “Kang is the throat, commonly written as ‘keng’.” [1]
Kang Transits
A bright and large star indicates loyalty and peace for the people; movement indicates many illnesses. It represents the emperor’s seat and is a celestial symbol. If it is not seen at the autumnal equinox, grain prices will be high.
If the sun is obscured by Kang, feudal lords will plot against their states, and the emperor will be worried. A solar halo indicates misfortune for high-ranking officials, heavy rain, famine, and epidemics.
If the moon is obscured by Kang, the emperor will be worried or a high-ranking official will be affected; a left side [3rd Quarter Moon?] signifies water, a right side [1st Quarter Moon?] signifies war. A lunar halo indicates that the first to start a war will win; in winter, it signifies worry for the people.
If Jupiter is obscured by Kang, there will be a pardon and a good harvest; if it remains there, there will be war and many illnesses; if it stays for more than thirty days, there will be a pardon; it is also said: “Obscured by it, rebellious ministers will cause chaos.”
If Mars is obscured, it is auspicious when it is in the sun; in the shadows, it is auspicious; if it has sharp points, the people will dislike it; if it remains there for a long time, the people will be worried and there will be heavy rain. It also signifies war.
When Saturn afflicts Kang, grain is damaged and the people perish; when it moves retrograde, a woman dictates power and rebellious ministers plot; when it guards the land, there is war.
When Venus afflicts Kang, the country perishes and the people suffer; when it moves retrograde, there is war and chaos; if it has sharp points, noble ministers are killed; when it guards the land, there is flood or drought, or loss.
When Mercury afflicts Kang, it signifies floods and a great war; when it guards the land, rice is expensive, the people are sick, there is drought, bandits rise, and the people hate each other.
When a guest star afflicts Kang, the country is uneasy; red signifies war and drought, yellow signifies earthworks; blue-black signifies worries for envoys; when it guards the land, grain is damaged, or there is a pardon; black signifies the people fleeing.
When a comet afflicts Kang, the country suffers disaster; when it appears, there is flood, war, plague, and ministers rebelling; white signifies loss. When a comet afflicts the land, the country is in danger, signifying floods and war; when it enters the land, the people flee; when it appears, the country suffers famine.
When a meteor enters Kang, foreign envoys arrive and the grain ripens; when it appears, the emperor sends envoys and a pardon is issued. Li Chunfeng said: “A meteor entering the constellation Kang signifies the death of a favored minister.”
If clouds encroach upon Kang, a bluish color indicates plague among the people; white indicates earthworks; black indicates water; red indicates war. Another interpretation is that white indicates tyranny and disease among the people; yellow indicates earthworks. [2]
